demoApp failing to build on MacOS

[jokroese]

Summary

I am trying to run the code described in the Create an app from a package on Github tutorial. As I am using MacOS, I have added the mac_url argument to the electrify function with a link to the desired R build, as described in #272. However, this leads to an error.

Steps to reproduce

MacOS Catalina (10.15.4), R version 4.0.0.

library(electricShine)

buildPath <- tempdir()

electricShine::electrify(app_name = "My_App",
                         short_description = "My demo application",
                         semantic_version = "1.0.0",
                         build_path = buildPath,
                         function_name = "run_app",
                         git_host = "github",
                         git_repo = "chasemc/demoApp@8426481",
                         package_install_opts = list(type = "binary",
                                                     dependencies = c("Depends", 
                                                                      "Imports")
                         ),
                         cran_like_url = "https://cran.r-project.org",
                         mac_url = "https://mac.r-project.org/high-sierra/R-4.0-branch/x86_64/R-4.0-branch.tar.gz"
)

Gives an error:

Error: (converted from warning) package ‘datasets’ in options("defaultPackages") was not found
Execution halted
Error: Failed to install 'demoApp' from GitHub:
  (converted from warning) installation of package ‘/var/folders/16/vnr99r9578572b4ch8zgtl8h0000gn/T//Rtmp2RYFpX/file85852e311c21/demoApp_1.0.18.tar.gz’ had non-zero exit status
Execution halted
Finshed: Installing your Shiny package into electricShine framework
Error in system.file("extdata", "icon", package = my_package_name, lib.loc = library_path) : 
  'package' must be of length 1

Question

Are you able to spot the problem? I suspect that I have incorrectly written something in the electrify function.

[chasemc]

I've run {electricShine} on both WIndows and Linux recently so I'm leaning towards this being a Mac problem and not an {electricShine} problem.

I won't have access to a Mac/dedicated-time for this for a couple months so I can't currently try to find the root cause but I've heard there's been a lot of issue with permissions in the newest Mac OS versions (Catalina).

It likely has to do with this:
https://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/r-patched/R-admin.html#Note-for-Catalina-users

@hrbrmstr I know we don't know each other, but you seem like someone who would be interested in seeing what seems like an issue between Mac Catalina and R

[chasemc]

I'll add that as I'm someone about to move back to Mac after a long hiatus this is concerning and has my attention

[hrbrmstr]

I kinda detest Electron apps for a host of security, usability, power-consumption, and other issues, but lemme see what might be going on.

[hrbrmstr]

may be a couple days. on vacation and I've got some things in my R profile that break this much earlier in the process (FWIW the build processes shld prbly add in --vanilla whenever they call R or Rscript).

[chasemc]

I had a little time this morning, but still don't have access to Catalina. I ran the demo code through R 4.0.1 on a fresh Windows 10 image and it worked.

There are some modifications I had to do to make R portable on Mac 1 2 so this isn't a pure-installation. However, it does seem like something has changed R-side or Mac side, and it'll take some digging on my part.

@hrbrmstr - I knew Rscript had the vanilla flag, and had overlooked that, but I didn't realize that R or Rterm had it. I've made a PR to fix that. Also, no need to reply during your vacation, go enjoy it.

[drchriscole]

Any update on this issue? It's still happening on Catalina and R 4.0.4.

[chasemc]

See https://github.com/chasemc/electricShine/projects