JamieEver stared at your screen, bewildered by the cryptic errordomainnscocoaerrordomainerrormessagenie-mozna-znalezc-wskazanego-skrotu-errorcode4 message? You’re not alone. This pesky error has frustrated countless iOS and macOS developers, and today we’ll crack it open.
Spoiler alert: that Polish error message translates to “cannot find the specified shortcut” – a hint that your app is hunting for something that’s gone missing. Let’s investigate why and how to squash this bug for good.
What Exactly Is the NSCocoaErrorDomain “nie można znaleźć wskazanego skrótu” Error?
The errordomainnscocoaerrordomainerrormessagenie-mozna-znalezc-wskazanego-skrotu-errorcode4 error stems from Apple’s Cocoa framework – the macOS and iOS app development backbone. When you see ErrorCode=4, you’re dealing with NSFileNoSuchFileError, which means your application tried to access a file, directory, or resource that doesn’t exist where it’s supposed to be.
The error appears in logs like this:
Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=4 “nie można znaleźć wskazanego skrótu.”
UserInfo={NSFilePath=/Users/username/Documents/missing_resource.txt,
NSUnderlyingError=0x600002d68e60 {Error Domain=NSPOSIXErrorDomain Code=2 “No such file or directory”}}
Interestingly, the error message appears in Polish (“nie można znaleźć wskazanego skrótu”), which translates to “unable to find the specified shortcut.” This happens because of a localization issue where the system displays error messages in an unexpected language. This quirk adds an extra layer of confusion to an already frustrating problem.
Common Causes of the NSCocoaErrorDomain Error Code 4
1. Deleted or Moved Files
The most obvious culprit is when your code tries to access a file that’s been deleted, moved, or renamed.
swift
// Problematic code – hardcoded path that might not exist
let fileURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: “/Users/developer/Documents/AppData/config.json”)
do {
let data = try Data(contentsOf: fileURL)
// Process data
} catch {
print(“Error: \(error)”) // Will show our infamous error if the file is missing
}
Solution:
swift
// Improved code – check if file exists before attempting to access
let fileURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: “/Users/developer/Documents/AppData/config.json”)
let fileManager = FileManager.default
if fileManager.fileExists(atPath: fileURL.path) {
do {
let data = try Data(contentsOf: fileURL)
// Process data
} catch {
print(“Error reading file: \(error)”)
}
} else {
print(“File doesn’t exist at: \(fileURL.path)”)
// Handle missing file gracefully
}
2. Resource Bundle Mismatch
Your app might be trying to load resources from a bundle, but the resources aren’t included in the build.
// Problematic code – assumes image exists in bundle
let imageName = “background_image.png”
guard let image = UIImage(named: imageName) else {
// This will fail silently if the image doesn’t exist
return
}
Solution:
swift
// Improved code – explicit bundle specification and error handling
let imageName = “background_image”
guard let bundlePath = Bundle.main.path(forResource: imageName, ofType: “png”) else {
print(“Error: Image \(imageName).png missing from bundle”)
// Handle missing resource – perhaps use a fallback image
return
}
guard let image = UIImage(contentsOfFile: bundlePath) else {
print(“Error: Failed to load image at path: \(bundlePath)”)
return
}
3. Permissions Issues
Sometimes the file exists, but your app lacks permission to access it.
swift
// Problematic code – assumes permission exists
let fileURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: “/Users/shared/AppData/database.sqlite”)
do {
let data = try Data(contentsOf: fileURL)
} catch {
print(“Error: \(error)”) // May show our error if permissions are incorrect
}
Solution:
swift
// Improved code – check permissions explicitly
let fileURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: “/Users/shared/AppData/database.sqlite”)
let fileManager = FileManager.default
var isDirectory: ObjCBool = false
if fileManager.fileExists(atPath: fileURL.path, isDirectory: &isDirectory) {
// Check if we can read the file
if fileManager.isReadableFile(atPath: fileURL.path) {
do {
let data = try Data(contentsOf: fileURL)
// Process data
} catch {
print(“Error reading file despite permissions: \(error)”)
}
} else {
print(“Permission denied for file at: \(fileURL.path)”)
// Request permission or notify user
}
} else {
print(“File doesn’t exist at: \(fileURL.path)”)
}
4. Sandbox Violations in macOS/iOS
Apple’s sandboxing restricts apps from accessing certain directories. Your app might be trying to reach beyond its sandbox.
swift
// Problematic code – attempting to access location outside sandbox
let fileURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: “/Library/Application Support/SystemData/config.plist”)
// This will trigger our error due to sandbox restrictions
Solution:
swift
// Improved code – use application’s designated containers
let fileManager = FileManager.default
guard let appSupportURL = fileManager.urls(for: .applicationSupportDirectory, in: .userDomainMask).first else {
print(“Unable to access Application Support directory”)
return
}
let appDirectoryURL = appSupportURL.appendingPathComponent(Bundle.main.bundleIdentifier ?? “AppData”)
// Create directory if it doesn’t exist
if !fileManager.fileExists(atPath: appDirectoryURL.path) {
do {
try fileManager.createDirectory(at: appDirectoryURL, withIntermediateDirectories: true)
} catch {
print(“Failed to create app directory: \(error)”)
return
}
}
// Now use this sanctioned location
let configFileURL = appDirectoryURL.appendingPathComponent(“config.plist”)
Solutions Comparison Table
| Prevention Techniques | Recovery Strategies |
| Use FileManager.default.fileExists() before accessing files | Implement fallback resources for critical functionality |
| Bundle critical resources with your app instead of external references | Create missing directories and default files on the first run |
| Use proper URL APIs instead of string paths | Log detailed error information for troubleshooting |
| Request appropriate entitlements for your app | Implement automatic retry logic with exponential backoff |
| Use try? for optional resources and provide defaults | Cache previously loaded resources to prevent repeated failures |
How to Diagnose NSCocoaErrorDomain Error Code 4
When you encounter the errordomainnscocoaerrordomainerrormessagenie-mozna-znalezc-wskazanego-skrotu-errorcode4 error, follow these systematic steps to pinpoint the issue:
Step 1: Enhance your error logging
Rather than using generic error handling, implement detailed logging that captures the full context:
swift
func loadFile(at path: String) -> Data? {
let fileURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: path)
do {
return try Data(contentsOf: fileURL)
} catch let error as NSError {
if error.domain == NSCocoaErrorDomain && error.code == 4 {
print(“NSCocoaErrorDomain Error 4: File not found”)
print(“Attempted path: \(path)”)
print(“Full error: \(error)”)
print(“UserInfo: \(error.userInfo)”)
// Check if parent directory exists
let directoryPath = fileURL.deletingLastPathComponent().path
let fileManager = FileManager.default
if !fileManager.fileExists(atPath: directoryPath) {
print(“Parent directory does not exist: \(directoryPath)”)
}
} else {
print(“Unexpected error: \(error)”)
}
return nil
}
}
Step 2: Create targeted tests
Write a test that isolates the problematic file access:
swift
func testFileAccess() {
let pathsToCheck = [
“/Users/developer/Documents/AppData/config.json”,
Bundle.main.path(forResource: “background_image”, ofType: “png”),
FileManager.default.urls(for: .documentDirectory, in: .userDomainMask).first?.path
]
for path in pathsToCheck.compactMap({ $0 }) {
print(“Checking path: \(path)”)
if FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: path) {
print(“✅ File exists at: \(path)”)
// Check permissions
if FileManager.default.isReadableFile(atPath: path) {
print(“✅ File is readable”)
} else {
print(“❌ Permission error: File exists but is not readable”)
}
} else {
print(“❌ File not found at: \(path)”)
// Check parent directories
var pathComponents = path.components(separatedBy: “/”)
pathComponents.removeLast()
var parentPath = pathComponents.joined(separator: “/”)
if parentPath.isEmpty { parentPath = “/” }
print(“Checking parent directory: \(parentPath)”)
if FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: parentPath) {
print(“✅ Parent directory exists”)
} else {
print(“❌ Parent directory does not exist”)
}
}
print(“———-“)
}
}
Step 3: Examine the real error logs
A real example of the error log might look like:
Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=4 “nie można znaleźć wskazanego skrótu.”
UserInfo={
NSFilePath=/Users/developer/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Devices/12345ABC-DEFG-6789-HIJK-0123456789AB/data/Containers/Data/Application/12345ABC-DEFG-6789-HIJK-0123456789AB/Documents/missing_file.dat,
NSUnderlyingError=0x600002d68e60 {
Error Domain=NSPOSIXErrorDomain Code=2 “No such file or directory”
}
}
The key information here is:
- The specific file path being accessed
- The underlying POSIX error (Code=2 indicates “No such file or directory”)
- The domain and code of the error (NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=4)
Implementing Robust Solutions for NSCocoaErrorDomain Error Code 4
Let’s build a reusable component to handle file access safely and prevent the errordomainnscocoaerrordomainerrormessagenie-mozna-znalezc-wskazanego-skrotu-errorcode4 error:
swift
// SafeFileManager.swift
import Foundation
enum FileAccessError: Error {
case fileNotFound(path: String)
case permissionDenied(path: String)
case directoryCreationFailed(path: String, underlyingError: Error)
case readError(path: String, underlyingError: Error)
case writeError(path: String, underlyingError: Error)
}
class SafeFileManager {
static let shared = SafeFileManager()
private let fileManager = FileManager.default
// Safely get or create directory
func ensureDirectoryExists(at directoryURL: URL) throws {
var isDirectory: ObjCBool = false
if fileManager.fileExists(atPath: directoryURL.path, isDirectory: &isDirectory) {
if !isDirectory.boolValue {
throw FileAccessError.fileNotFound(path: directoryURL.path + ” (exists but is not a directory)”)
}
// Directory exists, check permissions
if !fileManager.isWritableFile(atPath: directoryURL.path) {
throw FileAccessError.permissionDenied(path: directoryURL.path)
}
} else {
// Create directory
do {
try fileManager.createDirectory(at: directoryURL, withIntermediateDirectories: true)
} catch {
throw FileAccessError.directoryCreationFailed(path: directoryURL.path, underlyingError: error)
}
}
}
// Safely read a file with fallback
func readFile(at fileURL: URL, createIfMissing: Bool = false, defaultData: Data? = nil) throws -> Data {
if fileManager.fileExists(atPath: fileURL.path) {
if fileManager.isReadableFile(atPath: fileURL.path) {
do {
return try Data(contentsOf: fileURL)
} catch {
throw FileAccessError.readError(path: fileURL.path, underlyingError: error)
}
} else {
throw FileAccessError.permissionDenied(path: fileURL.path)
}
} else {
// Handle missing file
if createIfMissing, let defaultData = defaultData {
// Create parent directory if needed
try ensureDirectoryExists(at: fileURL.deletingLastPathComponent())
// Write default data
do {
try defaultData.write(to: fileURL)
return defaultData
} catch {
throw FileAccessError.writeError(path: fileURL.path, underlyingError: error)
}
} else {
throw FileAccessError.fileNotFound(path: fileURL.path)
}
}
}
// Safely write a file
func writeFile(data: Data, to fileURL: URL, createDirectory: Bool = true) throws {
if createDirectory {
try ensureDirectoryExists(at: fileURL.deletingLastPathComponent())
}
do {
try data.write(to: fileURL)
} catch {
throw FileAccessError.writeError(path: fileURL.path, underlyingError: error)
}
}
// Get a safe URL for app storage
func safeAppStorageURL(filename: String, fileExtension: String? = nil) -> URL {
let appSupportURL = fileManager.urls(for: .applicationSupportDirectory, in: .userDomainMask).first!
let appDirectoryURL = appSupportURL.appendingPathComponent(Bundle.main.bundleIdentifier ?? “AppStorage”)
if let fileExtension = fileExtension, !fileExtension.isEmpty {
return appDirectoryURL.appendingPathComponent(filename).appendingPathExtension(fileExtension)
} else {
return appDirectoryURL.appendingPathComponent(filename)
}
}
}
Usage Example
Here’s how to use the SafeFileManager class to prevent the errordomainnscocoaerrordomainerrormessagenie-mozna-znalezc-wskazanego-skrotu-errorcode4 error:
swift
// Example usage of SafeFileManager
func loadConfiguration() -> Configuration {
let configURL = SafeFileManager.shared.safeAppStorageURL(filename: “config”, fileExtension: “json”)
do {
// Try to read the config file, creating it with defaults if it doesn’t exist
let defaultConfig = Configuration.default()
let defaultData = try JSONEncoder().encode(defaultConfig)
let configData = try SafeFileManager.shared.readFile(
at: configURL,
createIfMissing: true,
defaultData: defaultData
)
// Parse the config
return try JSONDecoder().decode(Configuration.self, from: configData)
} catch {
print(“Error loading configuration: \(error)”)
// Log error properly for diagnosis
if let fileError = error as? FileAccessError {
switch fileError {
case .fileNotFound(let path):
print(“Config file not found at: \(path)”)
case .permissionDenied(let path):
print(“Permission denied for config at: \(path)”)
case .readError(let path, let underlyingError):
print(“Error reading config at \(path): \(underlyingError)”)
default:
print(“Other file error: \(fileError)”)
}
}
// Return default configuration as fallback
return Configuration.default()
}
}
// Example configuration struct
struct Configuration: Codable {
let appName: String
let maxRetries: Int
let timeoutInterval: TimeInterval
static func default() -> Configuration {
return Configuration(
appName: Bundle.main.object(forInfoDictionaryKey: “CFBundleName”) as? String ?? “MyApp”,
maxRetries: 3,
timeoutInterval: 30.0
)
}
}
Testing Safe File Access
Here’s a test case to verify our solution works:
swift
func testSafeFileManager() {
let safeManager = SafeFileManager.shared
let testFileURL = safeManager.safeAppStorageURL(filename: “test_data”, fileExtension: “txt”)
let testData = “This is test data”.data(using: .utf8)!
// Test write
do {
try safeManager.writeFile(data: testData, to: testFileURL)
print(“✅ Successfully wrote test file”)
} catch {
print(“❌ Failed to write test file: \(error)”)
XCTFail(“Should be able to write test file”)
}
// Test read
do {
let readData = try safeManager.readFile(at: testFileURL)
if let readString = String(data: readData, encoding: .utf8) {
print(“✅ Successfully read test file: \(readString)”)
XCTAssertEqual(readString, “This is test data”)
} else {
print(“❌ Failed to convert data to string”)
XCTFail(“Should be able to convert data to string”)
}
} catch {
print(“❌ Failed to read test file: \(error)”)
XCTFail(“Should be able to read test file”)
}
// Test non-existent file with fallback
let missingFileURL = safeManager.safeAppStorageURL(filename: “missing_file”, fileExtension: “txt”)
let fallbackData = “Fallback data”.data(using: .utf8)!
do {
let readData = try safeManager.readFile(
at: missingFileURL,
createIfMissing: true,
defaultData: fallbackData
)
if let readString = String(data: readData, encoding: .utf8) {
print(“✅ Successfully created and read missing file with fallback: \(readString)”)
XCTAssertEqual(readString, “Fallback data”)
} else {
print(“❌ Failed to convert fallback data to string”)
XCTFail(“Should be able to convert fallback data to string”)
}
} catch {
print(“❌ Failed to handle missing file with fallback: \(error)”)
XCTFail(“Should be able to handle missing file with fallback”)
}
}
Conclusion
The errordomainnscocoaerrordomainerrormessagenie-mozna-znalezc-wskazanego-skrotu-errorcode4 error boils down to a missing file or resource. By implementing proper file existence checks, using appropriate sandboxed paths, and adding robust error handling, you’ll squash this bug for good. The most critical takeaway? Never assume a file exists – verify first, then act accordingly.
