Components for the extension

Some features of the DataMind Oda extension need extra tooling, and the extension fetches it only when a feature needs it. Settings > Components shows which components are on this computer, lets you fetch one ahead of time, and lets you remove one you no longer want.

What the components are

The extension can fetch three components:

• Python tools: what Oda uses when it runs Python for you.
• Office engine: the engine behind Oda's work with Office documents, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint files (Working with Office documents).
• Computer use driver: the driver computer use needs to work the apps on your computer (Computer use).

Each component is about 100 MB. They are extra parts of the extension, not something you must install before you can use Oda.

Download a component ahead of time

1. In the extension, open Settings and select Components.
2. Find the component and choose Download. Its row shows the progress while the download runs.
3. When the download finishes, the component is ready, and the features that need it use it.

While a download runs, Oda shows a progress notification: DataMind Oda is downloading its <label>, such as DataMind Oda is downloading its Office tools.

The Settings tab and its other sections are covered in Settings in the VS Code panel.

Download on first use

You do not have to fetch anything in advance. The first time a feature needs a component that is not on this computer, Oda starts the download itself. If the request that needed it moves on before the download finishes, the download carries on, and the next request that needs the component uses it.

A component is downloaded once for the computer, and your VS Code windows share that copy, so a second window does not fetch it again.

How downloads are checked

Every component is checked before it is installed: Oda confirms the size and the checksum of what arrived. A download that does not match is refused and not installed.

• The <name> download is <received> bytes, not <size>. The file that arrived is not the size Oda expected.
• The <name> download does not match its checksum; it was not installed. The file is not the one Oda expected.

Try the download again from Settings > Components, and keep the message if it returns.

A download runs only from an https address or from a folder on this computer. Any other address is refused with The payload address must be https or a local folder: <address>; keep the message and ask your administrator. A download that cannot be fetched at all reports Downloading <url> failed: HTTP <status>; check your connection and try again.

Remove a component

• Choose Remove on a component's row to free the space. It is downloaded again the next time a feature needs it.
• A component that is in use cannot be removed: DataMind Oda is using it; stop running replies or restart DataMind Oda, then try again. Stop the running reply, or restart DataMind Oda, and try again.
• A component that is still downloading cannot be removed: It is still downloading. Wait for the download to finish, then remove it.

Old copies are cleaned up

• When a newer version of the extension brings an updated component, the older copy stays until it has gone unused for about a week; Oda clears it out then.
• Files left behind by a download that did not finish are cleared away after about a day.

Messages from other parts of Oda are in Troubleshooting.

Questions, answered

Do I have to download the components myself?

No. Oda fetches a component the first time a feature needs it. Fetching one ahead of time from Settings > Components is optional, for when you want it ready in advance.

How large are the components?

About 100 MB each.

Why is Oda downloading a component while I work?

A feature needed one for the first time, so Oda is fetching it. No action is needed: the download finishes on its own, and if the request that needed it has moved on, the next one uses the finished component.

Why can't I remove a component?

It is in use, or its download is still running. A component in use reports DataMind Oda is using it; stop running replies or restart DataMind Oda, then try again. Stop the running reply, or restart DataMind Oda. A component that is still downloading reports It is still downloading. Wait for the download to finish, then remove it.

What happens if a download fails?

It is refused, and nothing is installed. Oda reports why:

• The size is not what it expected: The <name> download is <received> bytes, not <size>.
• The file does not match its checksum: The <name> download does not match its checksum; it was not installed.
• The fetch itself failed: Downloading <url> failed: HTTP <status>.

Try again from Settings > Components, and keep the message if it returns.

Do my VS Code windows each download their own copy?

No. A component is downloaded once for the computer, and your VS Code windows share that copy.

Will old components stay on my computer forever?

No. The copy left by an older version of the extension is cleared away once it has gone unused for about a week. Files left by a download that did not finish are cleared away after about a day.

I removed a component. How do I get it back?

It is downloaded again the next time a feature needs it, or you can fetch it from Settings > Components with Download.

What does the message about the payload address mean?

The download address is neither an https address nor a folder on this computer, so Oda refuses the download: The payload address must be https or a local folder: <address>. Keep the message and ask your administrator.