stm32CubeProg.sh `getopt: illegal option -- a` on macOS Apple Silicon, Sequoia 15.6, internal BSD getopt

[ndoo]

STM32Tools 2.4.0 that shipped with STM32Duino Arduino core 2.12.0.

macOS 15.6 24G84
Using built-in macOS BSD getopt.

Describe the bug
getopt: illegal option -- a when using DFU upload. Board STM32U0 -> Generic U073C8Tx.
Upload method: "STM32CubeProgrammer (DFU)".

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Compile (success)
2. Upload
3. Fails due to getopt error.

Expected behavior
Successful upload (it was working on STM32Tools@2.3.1 that shipped with STM32Duino Arduino core 2.11.0).

Screenshots
Sorry, unable to provide

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: macOS 15.6 24G84
• Arduino IDE version: 2.3.6
• STM32 core version: 2.12.0
• Library version: N/A (fails even with empty sketch)
• Tools menu settings if not the default: Board STM32U0 -> Generic U073C8Tx
• Upload method: [e.g. SWD]

Hardware (please complete the following information):

• Board Name: Generic U073C8Tx
• Hardware Revision: Proprietary
• Extra hardware used if any: N/A native USB

Additional context

[ndoo]

Just to add, the same software environment and build settings, I do not get the getopts error on macOS 26.1 (25B78).

So I’m not sure what has changed between STM32Tools 2.3.1 to STM32Tools 2.4.0 that would break BSD getopts just for the older macOS version.

[fpistm]

Hi,
The getopt usage on macos is a nightmare.
More info here:
#100

I think I forgot to populate some new option when trying to handle getopt on mac like adress option -a but you should have also the issue with 2.3.1. Seems strange.
Or this is again the management of the getopt version GNU one or not.
Could you telle me where is your getopt?

[ndoo]

macOS 15.6 24G84 (not working)

% which getopt
/usr/bin/getopt

macOS 26.1 25B78 (working)

% which getopt
/usr/bin/getopt

Don't think this helps you much…

[ndoo]

I intentionally did not use the Homebrew gnu-getopt to get the regression; using GNU getopts does solve it of course.

By the way, this is unrelated to this specific issue, but brew --prefix should be used instead of hardcoding /opt/homebrew and also /usr/local/opt because I couldn't put it in the 2 locations tested by stm32CubeProg.sh due to lack of admin rights on the older macOS laptop.

Should I raise an issue for that? I hardcoded the path I am using for my Homebrew prefix in order to test gnu-getopt.

[ndoo]

I just ran a diff of the manpages of 26.1 and 15.6 built-in getopt and only the macOS version line has changed, the rest of the manpages are identical…

[fpistm]

right... could you tell me the version of getopt?

[ndoo]

I have no idea how to identify it, unfortunately…

% getopt -T; echo $?
 --
0

On both macOS versions.

[fpistm]

Well, try to sum up.
On macOS 15.6 24G84:

• With 2.4.0 of the Arduino Tools you got the error: getopt: illegal option -- a
• While with 2.31 you don't.

There is no change on getopt management between 2.31 and 2.4.0.
Except those one: #105 and #108
The first add a -a option but in this case you should have Unknown option error message if not handled.

So it is the version of getopt which does not support the -a option. In that case it should be the same issue between 2.3.1 and 2.4.0.
I can't reproduce as I have only one MAC but very old and by default the getopt is the GNU one.

So I would first understand why you don't have issue with 2.3.1.
When you do a getopt -a ? what is the result?

One other point, you talk about brew --prefix , I'm not a MAC expert.
Is it something common to all MAC? Is it callable in any case (right admin?)...

[ndoo]

Let me do some further testing tonight, I will nuke away all my Arduino app/user data folders and install cleanly on both environments and report back tomorrow sometime.

One thing is for sure, using gnu-getopt from Homebrew works fine. I will edit the subject to make it clearer only built-in getopt is affected.

[fpistm]

Thanks for the help. Very appreciated.

[ndoo]

No worries.

Here is the state of my mind, before I go offline for the day…

	STM32Tools 2.3.1	STM32Tools 2.4.0
macOS 15.6 24G84, BSD getopt	✅	❌ (getopt: illegal option -- a but need to test further)
macOS 15.6 24G84, GNU getopt	✅	✅
macOS 26.1 25B78, BSD getopt	✅	✅ (but need to test further)
macOS 26.1 25B78, GNU getopt	✅	✅

[fpistm]

Thanks for the status. Anyway, I really don't understand the fact it works with 2.3.1.
Maybe related to the options added later and not managed properly in case of BSD getopt.
I will provide a patch for this.

[fpistm]

Well, I guess the easiest way to handle this and avoid any further regression link to the FreeBSD getopt.
I think the best way is to test if the getopt is the GNU one, if not then advise user to install it.
This will be easier to maintain, manage the long option and space in arguments.