Python plugin works in NPP 7.7 but does work in NPP 7.8 upward

Stier Hahn

Dear community,

I need some help regarding supporting of my Python plugin.

https://github.com/stier08/NppPyStandalone

In a nutshell it allows calling scripts written in python directly from NPP IDE .

The latest version linked against winpython 3.7 / boost 1.68 / vs toolset v140 works fine with npp.7.7.1.bin

However, starting from NPP 7.8 upward I’m getting an error “<plugin> is not compatible with current version of notepad++.”

Apparently something has changes in NPP and I cant figure out what exactly…

To troubleshoot the problem I built a bare minimal Plugin ( based on https://github.com/npp-plugins/plugindemo

by linking it with boost::python

#include <boost/python/module.hpp>
#include <boost/python/class.hpp>
#include <boost/utility.hpp>

without calling any python stuff.

and even such a small change cases loading error in NPP 7.9.

NPP 7.7 works fine.

Can someone suggest what is the root cause / what need to changes / how to troubleshoot this.

Thank you in advance,
stier08.

Ekopalypse

@Stier-Hahn

How do you compile the dll? Using Visual Studio, gcc …? Which version?

Are the exports really exported? Using dumpbin like dumpbin /exports YOUR_PLUGIN.dll will give you that information.

Ekopalypse

@Stier-Hahn said in Python plugin works in NPP 7.7 but does work in NPP 7.8 upward:

NPP 7.7 works fine.

Does that mean, the same, recently compiled dll, works here but not with 7.9.X??

Stier Hahn

@Ekopalypse thank you for your feedback.
I’ve created a minimal binary that works with 7.7 and does not work with 7.8

https://github.com/stier08/NppPyStandalone/releases/tag/NppPluginTemplate_minimal_boost-1_68_0_vs2019_toolset_v140_wp37_01

Source code https://github.com/stier08/NppPyStandalone/tree/minimal_boost-1_68_0_vs2019_toolset_v140_wp37

My setup is as follows

boost-1_68_0
vs2019
toolset v140
wp37 (Winpython32-3.7.7.1dot)

Plugin does work with
https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/releases/download/v7.7.1/npp.7.7.1.bin.7z

but does not work with

https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/releases/download/v7.8/npp.7.8.bin.7z

Stier Hahn

@Ekopalypse said in Python plugin works in NPP 7.7 but does work in NPP 7.8 upward:

/exports

see my previous post on build setup

here is what I get with dumpin

Dump of file NppPluginTemplate.dll

File Type: DLL

Section contains the following exports for NppPluginTemplate.dll

00000000 characteristics
6013057D time date stamp Thu Jan 28 19:42:05 2021
    0.00 version
       1 ordinal base
       6 number of functions
       6 number of names

ordinal hint RVA      name

      1    0 000010E0 beNotified
      2    1 000010C0 getFuncsArray
      3    2 000010B0 getName
      4    3 000010F0 isUnicode
      5    4 000010F0 messageProc
      6    5 00001040 setInfo

Summary

    2000 .data
    1000 .gfids
    6000 .rdata
    1000 .reloc
    1000 .rsrc
    D000 .text

Ekopalypse

Let me do some tests with your code and the mentioned npp versions.

Ekopalypse

Works for me

Where is your python3.dll located in 7.8?
Should be within your plugin directory.

Stier Hahn

@Ekopalypse i’ve bin using same setup. I.e. only plugin dll is located in plugin dir. And python dir in path.

Ekopalypse

@Stier-Hahn
and there is no other python3 dll (64bit) in the path before the 32bit one?

Stier Hahn

@Ekopalypse will check tmr in more details.

I can tell for sure (99%) I do not have any 64 bit builds of python on my box.

Ps
I’m still wondering that it works for me in 7.7 but not in 7.8. Just for my understanding were there any changes that could cause such behavior? Changes in dll lookup order or something

Ekopalypse

Starting from 7.8 plugins are allowed to load their own dlls from within the plugin directory.

Ekopalypse

Ah - could it be that path is not evaluted anymore? I guess so.

Stier Hahn

@Ekopalypse could you please check if it works for you if python dll is located in path and not in plugin dir

Ekopalypse

@Stier-Hahn - currently trying

Ekopalypse

@Stier-Hahn
Yes, it is not found but then I do get

Ekopalypse

and next window is

Ekopalypse

but npp 7.7 works.

Ekopalypse

@Stier-Hahn

I start to remember that I read some conversation about
security concerns regarding sideloading dlls.

Stier Hahn

@Ekopalypse so, I’ve tested my minimal plugin build in 7.8 with python37.dll inside plugin dir and it works.

My question from the top of the thread has been solved.

Thank you very much!

ps

I still need to check if my main plugin will be working…
Struggling to upgrade third-party libs and other dependencies…

Ekopalypse

If there is anything we can do to help let us know.