Add protection for first time install. Add pip upgrade to actions

Author: HelioGuilherme66

.github/workflows/fedora_41.yml

@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ jobs:
       run: |
         git submodule update --init --recursive
         source /home/wxpy/venvs/Py314/bin/activate
+        python -m pip install -U pip
         pip install https://robotframework.transformidea.com/RIDE/packages/Linux/Fedora_41/wxpython-4.2.4a15946+920a2bde-cp314-cp314-linux_x86_64.whl
         pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
         pip install robotframework

.github/workflows/linux.yml

@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ jobs:
         sudo dnf install -y sdl12-compat python3-wxpython4 xorg-x11-server-Xvfb python3-pip python3-tkinter psmisc
         # sudo dnf downgrade -y mesa* --refresh
         git submodule update --init --recursive
+        python -m pip install -U pip
         pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
         pip install robotframework
     - name: Run tests
@@ -115,6 +116,7 @@ jobs:
         sudo apt update -y
         sudo apt install -y libsdl1.2debian libsdl2-2.0-0 libnotify4 wxpython-tools
         git submodule update --init --recursive
+        python -m pip install -U pip
         pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
         pip install robotframework
     - name: Run tests

.github/workflows/package.yml

@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ jobs:
         sudo dnf install -y sdl12-compat python3-wxpython4 xorg-x11-server-Xvfb python3-pip python3-tkinter psmisc
         # sudo dnf downgrade -y mesa* --refresh
         git submodule update --init --recursive
+        python -m pip install -U pip
         pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
         pip install robotframework
     - name: Run tests

.github/workflows/sonar.yml

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install RIDE dependencies
         run: |
              git submodule update --init --recursive
+             python -m pip install -U pip
              pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
              pip install robotframework
       - name: Run Xvfb

src/robotide/application/application.py

@@ -485,11 +485,14 @@ def initialize_project_settings(self, path):
             if not exists, or returns the path to existing file.
         """
         from ..preferences import initialize_settings
-        default_dir = path if os.path.isdir(path) else os.path.dirname(path)
-        local_settings_dir = os.path.join(default_dir, '.robot')
+        if path:
+            default_dir = path if os.path.isdir(path) else os.path.dirname(path)
+            local_settings_dir = os.path.join(default_dir, '.robot')
+        else:
+            local_settings_dir = None
         old_settings_dir = self.settings_path
         # print(f"DEBUG: Project.py Project initialize_project_settings ENTER: path={local_settings_dir}")
-        if os.path.isdir(local_settings_dir):
+        if local_settings_dir and os.path.isdir(local_settings_dir):
             # old_settings = self.internal_settings.get_without_default('General')
             # old_bkg = old_settings['background']
             local_settings = os.path.join(local_settings_dir, 'ride_settings.cfg')