Add ability to map a NotebookCellData to NotebookCell

[DonJayamanne]

• Assume we have Cells a, b, c in an ipynb file (raw notebook).
  • Each of the cells have their own metadata
• Extension returns instances of NotebookCellData to VS Code from NotebookContentProvider:
  • A, B, C
  • The objects returned are NotebookCellData
• Later VSC creates its own representation and uses NotebookCell (for other API, execution, edits, etc).
  • Assume user Copies cell A and add its below A or above A
  • Assume user moves cell A below B

As NotebookCell is not a subclass of NotebookCellData (there's no link between the two), its impossible for extensions to identify which is which.

Why do we need this:

• Running cell B, could result in updates to Cell A
  • At this point we need a way to uniquely identify Cell A from the NotebookCells.
  • Using metadata to identify a cell will not work as copying/pasting cells also copies the metadata

Possible solutions

• Expose finer grained events when cells are modified
  • User adds a new cell, notify extension about this (at this point we can update the metadata as we see fit, to ensure we do not get confused between the two cells).

@rebornix I believe adding finer grained events is a WIP, hence please feel free to close this issue.

[vscodebot]

(Experimental duplicate detection)
Thanks for submitting this issue. Please also check if it is already covered by an existing one, like:

• Add metadata to Notebook and NotebookCell (#97275)
• Allow adding metadata to NotebookData and NotebookCellData (#97077)
• Notebook: Missing command palette commands (#94098)
• Cell naming feedback (#93933)
• Notebook: Change last cell kind scrolls the editor to top (#93600)

[rebornix]

When copy and paste cells, I think we should only copy language/content, metadata will not be copied and cell Uri will be a new one, this will solve your problem, right? @DonJayamanne

[DonJayamanne]

this will solve your problem, right? @DonJayamanne

Yes it will. Awesome thanks.

[rebornix]

Just pushed a test to ensure when copy cells, the custom metadata are not copied.