Feature Request: Support for Windows Communication via Volatile Text File Transfer

[mathe00]

Description:
Currently, the plugin is limited to Linux users due to the use of sockets for communication between TypeScript and Python. To make the plugin accessible to Windows users, this request proposes to replace the current communication method with a "volatile" transfer file. This file will operate in plain text, using simple delimiters to structure requests and responses.

Proposed Solution:

• Use a text file as a means of communication, which will serve as a "transfer server."
• The file will be created in the vault directory, ensuring it is easily accessible.
• Communication will occur in plain text, without utilizing JSON format. Requests and responses will be framed by simple delimiters:
  • Start and end of request: ---BEGIN-[action]--- and ---END-[action]---
  • Variable/element separators: || to delimit different values or elements to be transferred.
• Files will be cleared immediately after the request is processed, ensuring no leftover data remains in the vault.

Example of Proposed Communication Structure:

---BEGIN-get_active_note_absolute_path---
/path/to/active/note.md||success: true
---END-get_active_note_absolute_path---

Advantages:

• Simplicity and Rawness: By using a plain text file with delimiters, we maintain a basic and direct communication logic, similar to that of text mode sockets under Linux.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: This method provides a straightforward solution for Windows users, enabling them to utilize the plugin for the first time.
• Immediate Cleanup: By deleting transfer files as soon as the request is processed, we minimize the risk of conflicts or residual data in the vault.

Implementation Considerations:

• Implement appropriate error handling during file operations (e.g., checking if files exist, managing read/write permissions).
• Add a simple pause or check mechanism to ensure that TypeScript does not attempt to read the response file before it is written by the Python script.
• Clearly document the operation, including how to configure the transfer file's location if necessary.

Conclusion:
This feature would enable Windows users to use the plugin, breaking the current limitation that confines its usage to Linux environments only. Adopting a plain text file transfer method aligns with our goal of enhancing cross-platform compatibility while maintaining a straightforward approach.