[ExtendScript] Can't update placed graphic if document was opened by script

Hi scripters, I am experiencing a bug trying to update a placed pdf graphic (.ai document). I came across this bug, lodged by @Peter Kahrel which describes the same bug I'm experiencing, but it seems that it wasn't able to be followed-up due to difficulty in reproducing it.

I have put together a simple test case that reliably (for me) triggers the bug, and I would be grateful if people could try it out and report if they see the bug like I do, or not. Please leave comment if you get a result either way, including your OS and Indesign version.

Needless to say if anyone knows a solution, or a workaround, I would love to hear that too.

To set up the test, just download the attached script, .indd and .pdf and put them into a folder together. I've put instructions for two tests in the comment at the start of the script. Here it is:

/**
 * To set up the tests:
 * 1. have the demo.indd in folder with this script
 * 2. have the linked graphic in folder with this script
 *
 * TEST 1: Do not open "demo.indd" before running script (let the script do it).
 * TEST 2: have "demo.indd" open before running the script.
 *
 * My results, using Indesign 18.3 MacOS 13.4:
 *
 * TEST 1 RESULT:
 * - error during call to "graphic.place"
 * - throws "Error: This file is already open by another user or another application. This file may be stored on a network server and cannot be opened until the other user closes it."
 * - placed pdf graphic DOES NOT change to page 2.
 *
 * TEST 2 RESULT:
 * - works as expected: no error, and placed pdf graphic changes to page 2.
 *
 * NOTE: if TEST 1 works as expected for you, please run the test several times.
 * Initially I had a more complicated version of the test, which failed, while this one passed,
 * but it passed only once (if I remember right!) and thereafter failed, and now I can make it pass.
 * So please test multiple times.
 */
function main() {

    // set path to the same folder as this script
    var path = File($.fileName).parent.fsName;

    // open the demo indesign document
    var doc1 = app.open(File(path + '/demo.indd'));

    // the graphic we want to update
    var graphic = doc1.allGraphics[0];

    // we want to update to show artboard 2 (currently showing 1)
    app.pdfPlacePreferences.pageNumber = 2;

    try {
        // here's where the problem occurs
        graphic.place(File(graphic.itemLink.filePath), false);
    } catch (error) {
        alert(error);
    }

};

app.doScript(main, ScriptLanguage.JAVASCRIPT, undefined, UndoModes.ENTIRE_SCRIPT, 'Test Graphic Update Bug');

So, the script just opens a document and attempts to update the graphic (by linking to another page in the same pdf). In my test, if I have the demo.indd document open already, it works fine and I see the graphic change to "SUCCESS". But if I let the script open the document, it fails. I would love to know your experience.

@Peter Kahrel you found the bug using link.update(). This has the same problem when I test it, but isn't as obvious for testing purposes because it doesn't throw an error (it just fails to update).

Thanks for your help. If I get some useful responses I will update the bug report with a link here and hopefully the developers will have something to get their teeth into. @amaarora you requested further information on this bug.

- Mark