Make "args": "${command:pickArgs}" as default debug configuration

[PRO-2684]

Originally posted at vscode/issues#225834

I was really frustrated when I "debug Python files with arguments", input my space-separated argument list, and see my script treating it like a single argument. So I think it is more sensible to make "args": "${command:pickArgs}" as default, instead of "args": ["${command:pickArgs}"]. More specifically, I suggest changing the default debug configuration:

{
    "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": "Python Debugger: Python File",
            "type": "debugpy",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${file}",
            "console": "integratedTerminal",
            "args": [
                "${command:pickArgs}"
            ]
        }
    ]
}

to:

{
    "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": "Python Debugger: Python File",
            "type": "debugpy",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${file}",
            "console": "integratedTerminal",
            "args": "${command:pickArgs}"
        }
    ]
}

[TCPsoftware]

I found this problem as well. Removing the [ ] does make it work properly.

[TCPsoftware]

I use the argparse library to parse command line parameters, but if there is [ ], the passed parameters will be wrapped in single quotes ' ', which will cause argparse parsing errors (because it is a single parameter). Only by removing [ ] can the passed parameters be turned into independent multiple parameters and run correctly.

[eleanorjboyd]

Thank you for submitting your feature request and everyone who considered it! Unfortunately, this issue did not receive enough votes over the allotted time, and so we are closing the issue. PRs are welcome so you can create a PR that fixes this if you are passionate about getting this feature across the finish line. Thanks!

[stoune]

Existing implementation is a mess.
I couldn't understand why it should be even voted, this kinds of "invisible" feaures which immidiatelly boost your experience.
If I use cli I just supply args as a single sting, if use a debugger I have to prepare special string with each arg quoted.
There is no sensible defaults.
And I have to guess, why I get an error and how it should work.
That's a terrible.

[eleanorjboyd]

Hi @stoune, sorry the experience is not working well for you. Could you provide the arg string you are currently entering here or an example of it? Also have you tried no-config debugging? Could this potentially help in your case? Here is the wiki page about it.