libretro / libretro/RetroArch

[Steam] Roms with apostrophes are not working on SteamDeck with Steam version of RetroArch via terminal

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platform: steam steamdeck
Dominant language
C
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Description

Description

Currently it seems not to be possible to run roms via terminal or as a non steam game on the StamDeck when the rom name contains an apostrophe.

Working with a rom without an apostrophe (Super_Mario_World_2_-_Yoshis_Island_(USA).sfc):

steam -applaunch 1118310 -L "/run/media/mmcblk0p1/steamapps/common/RetroArch/cores/snes9x\_libretro.so" "/run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/roms/snes/Super_Mario_World_2_-_Yoshis_Island_(USA).sfc"

Not working with a rom with an apostrophe (Super Mario World 2 - Yoshi's Island (USA).sfc):

steam -applaunch 1118310 -L "/run/media/mmcblk0p1/steamapps/common/RetroArch/cores/snes9x\_libretro.so" "/run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/roms/snes/Super Mario World 2 - Yoshi's Island (USA).sfc"

The same behavior occurs with all roms that contain apostrophes. Related discussion on Reddit.

Expected behavior

Rom should start via Steam with RetroArch.

Actual behavior

Steam starts, but nothing happens. RetroArch does not start and therefore the game does not start.

Output in the terminal:

[[steam.sh](http://steam.sh/)](http://steam.sh)[3382]: Running Steam on steamos rolling 64-bit
[[steam.sh](http://steam.sh/)](http://steam.sh)[3382]: STEAM_RUNTIME is enabled automatically
[[setup.sh](http://setup.sh/)](http://setup.sh)[3460]: Steam runtime environment up-to-date!
[[steam.sh](http://steam.sh/)](http://steam.sh)[3382]: Steam client's requirements are satisfied
Steps to reproduce the bug
  1. Run in terminal for a rom which contains spaces:
    steam -applaunch 1118310 -L "/run/media/mmcblk0p1/steamapps/common/RetroArch/cores/snes9x\_libretro.so" "/run/media/mmcblk0p1/Emulation/roms/snes/Super Mario World 2 - Yoshi's Island (USA).sfc"
Version/Commit

You can find this information under Information/System Information

  • RetroArch: 1.10.3
  • Build Date: Apr 18 2022
  • Git Version: 9b282aa742
Environment information
  • OS: SteamOS Holo 3.2 on the SteamDeck

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reproducing the reported SteamOS terminal command with a ROM filename containing an apostrophe, then trace how RetroArch handles arguments passed through Steam. No files or tests are named in the issue; done means the same command launches RetroArch and the ROM successfully when its filename contains an apostrophe.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c, linux
Domain
cli, desktop-dev
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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