Interactive Widgets fail on Apple Silicon, Remote Jupyter & when using non-Raw kernels

Environment data

• VS Code version: 1.62.3
• Jupyter Extension version: v2021.10.1101450599
• Python Extension version: v2021.11.1422169775
• OS and version: macOS Monterey 12.0.1 running on AppleSilicon Mac
• Python version: 3.9.5
• Type of virtual environment used: venv
• Jupyter server running: Local

Expected behaviour

As you move a slider the function is called multiple times.

Actual behaviour

The function is called once.

Steps to reproduce:

• Create a Jupiter notebook with this code, which contains a slider.

from ipywidgets import interact

def f(x):
  print(x)
    
interact(f, x=10);

• Open it in VSCode, move the slider.

Expected behaviour

The widget calls the function f multiple times as you move the slider.

Actual behaviour

The function f is only called once at the beginning:

Notes

• I could only see the bug on Apple Silicon Mac and not on my Intel Mac.

• The widget works as expected on Apple Silicon Mac if opened in jupuyter-lab instead of VSCode.

Repository that reproduces the bug

https://github.com/evgenyneu/ipywidgets_vscode_bug

[DonJayamanne]

Testing steps

• Connect to a remote Jupyter server
• Create a cell with teh code:

from ipywidgets import interact

def f(x):
  print(x)
    
interact(f, x=10);

• Run the cell & move the slider
• Confirm the outputs are updated (both counters)
• Restart the kernel and re-run the cell and confirm its rendered

[DonJayamanne]

@antonindurieux I’ve managed to identify the fix and got a PR open for this.