Categories to import -filter works wrong

[jurvi]

Environment and configuration

1. Version: 104.3.9 with Akeneo 3.2.47 and Magento 2.4.5

Steps to reproduce

1. Select some categories with "Categories to import" -filter
2. Toggle advanced logging on
3. Run the connector

Expected result

1. tmp table contains the selected categories and their children

Actual result

1. tmp table contains all the categories except the selected ones, looking like it's actually working as blacklist, not whitelist, even though the filter description says: "Select the categories you want to import.".

[joelvai]

I had the same problem and here is my solution #700

[wmdkdkussin]

Hi,

We recently updated the Akeneo Connector for Magento 2 to v104.3.14 and encountered a similar issue with the "Categories to import" filter. Here are some additional findings based on our configuration and observations:

Environment:

• Akeneo Connector Version: 104.3.14 (previously 104.3.10)
• Magento Version: 2.4.6-p8
• PHP Version: 8.1
• Akeneo Version: v20241122153811

Observations:

1. Configuration:

   • Akeneo Channel: ecommerce linked to the master category tree.
   • Magento 2 Connector: Only the ecommerce channel is mapped to the base website.

2. Behavior:

   • Despite the "Categories to import" filter being configured, all Magento categories are considered, even those not linked to the selected Akeneo channel.
   • Previously imported but empty categories in Magento now have 25,500 product assignments each due to recent updates, creating significant performance issues.

3. Impact:

   • The Set URL Rewrite step in the Akeneo job now takes 10-15 hours to complete.
   • Occasionally, the process fails at the Fill temporary table step.

Questions:

1. Is the observed behavior of the "Categories to import" option, where it acts more as a blacklist than a whitelist, expected?
2. Should product assignments in categories not explicitly selected be ignored?

Reference:

The issue seems closely related to the description in this thread and might stem from similar root causes as identified in PR #700.

We look forward to any guidance or fixes for this issue.

BR,
Daniel