Bug: Logout During Form Submission Causes Data Loss

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Bug-031: Logout During Active Form Submission

Hey guys! We've got a bit of a snag in the system that we need to iron out. It's labeled as Bug-031, and it revolves around what happens when a user tries to log out while they're in the middle of filling out a form. Let's dive into the details so we can get this fixed up.

Discussion Category:

This issue falls under the PLP-Database-Design and is something SystemDeveloper11 from week 6 should take a look at. It's crucial to ensure our database design handles these scenarios gracefully to prevent data loss.

Additional Information:

Here’s a breakdown of how to reproduce this bug and what we expect to happen versus what’s actually happening.

Steps to Reproduce

Here's how you can recreate the bug:

  1. First, you gotta open up the application and log in like normal.
  2. Next, navigate to any form. A good example is the "Schedule a Waste Pickup" form since it has several fields.
  3. Start filling out the form. Put in some info, but don't hit that submit button just yet.
  4. Now, this is where things get tricky: click the Logout button while the form still has all those unsaved changes.

Expected Result

Ideally, this is what should happen:

  • The system should be smart enough to realize you're trying to leave with unsaved data and pop up a warning. Something like, "Hey, you've got some unsaved changes! Are you sure you want to log out?"
  • Your session should only end after you confirm that you're okay with losing the data or if you choose to save it.
  • Even better, the system could temporarily save your data or discard it based on what you tell it to do. That way, if you accidentally click Logout, you don't lose everything.

Actual Result

But, uh, that's not what actually happens. Here's the current situation:

  • The session just ends. Boom. No warning, no nothing.
  • All that form data you entered? Gone. Vanished. Poof!
  • Basically, the user loses all their partially entered information without any heads-up.

Severity

We've rated this as a Medium severity issue. It's not a showstopper, but it's definitely annoying and can lead to a bad user experience. Nobody likes re-typing stuff, right?

Deep Dive into the Problem

Okay, let's break down why this is happening and what we can do about it. The core issue here is the lack of communication between the logout function and the active form. When a user initiates a logout, the system should check if there are any active forms with unsaved changes. If there are, it needs to interrupt the logout process and engage the user.

Why This Happens

  1. Missing Event Listener: The logout button likely doesn't have an event listener that checks for unsaved form data.
  2. Session Termination Priority: The session termination process is probably given higher priority than checking for unsaved data. It just bulldozes through, killing the session without a second thought.
  3. Lack of Data Persistence: There's no mechanism in place to temporarily store the form data. Even a simple local storage solution could prevent data loss.

Potential Solutions

Here’s what we can do to fix this:

  1. Implement an Interceptor: Before the logout process begins, an interceptor should check for unsaved form data. This could be a JavaScript function that runs when the logout button is clicked.
  2. Display a Warning Message: If unsaved data is detected, a modal window should pop up, warning the user about potential data loss. This message should give them options:
    • Save and Logout: Temporarily save the data and then log out.
    • Logout Anyway: Discard the data and log out.
    • Cancel: Return to the form.
  3. Temporary Data Storage: Implement a mechanism to temporarily store the form data. This could be done using:
    • Local Storage: Store the data in the user's browser.
    • Session Storage: Similar to local storage but data is cleared when the browser is closed.
    • Server-Side Storage: Store the data on the server, associated with the user's session.
  4. Form Auto-Save: Consider implementing an auto-save feature that periodically saves the form data in the background. This way, even if the user accidentally logs out, they won't lose much data.

Code Example (Conceptual JavaScript)

// Intercept logout button click
document.getElementById('logoutButton').addEventListener('click', function(event) {
  // Check for unsaved form data
  if (hasUnsavedData()) {
    // Prevent default logout action
    event.preventDefault();

    // Show warning message
    showWarningMessage();
  }
});

function hasUnsavedData() {
  // Implement logic to check if the form has unsaved data
  // This could involve comparing the current form data to a saved version
  return true; // Placeholder
}

function showWarningMessage() {
  // Display a modal window with options
  // Save and Logout, Logout Anyway, Cancel
}

Impact and User Experience

This bug, while seemingly small, has a significant impact on user experience. Imagine spending 10-15 minutes filling out a detailed form, only to accidentally click the logout button and lose everything. That's incredibly frustrating! By addressing this issue, we can significantly improve user satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of users abandoning forms due to data loss.

Key Considerations

  • Data Security: Ensure that any temporary data storage solutions comply with data security and privacy regulations. Sensitive data should be encrypted.
  • User Interface: The warning message should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. Avoid technical jargon.
  • Performance: The interceptor and data storage mechanisms should be optimized to minimize performance impact.

Next Steps

  1. Assign Developer: Assign this bug to a developer (SystemDeveloper11 from week 6 seems appropriate).
  2. Implement Solution: Implement one of the proposed solutions, prioritizing the interceptor and warning message approach.
  3. Testing: Thoroughly test the solution to ensure that it effectively prevents data loss and doesn't introduce any new issues.
  4. User Feedback: Gather user feedback on the implemented solution to ensure that it meets their needs.

Conclusion

Alright, team! Let's squash this bug and make sure our users don't lose their precious data. By implementing a simple warning system and perhaps a temporary save feature, we can avoid a lot of frustration and make our application much more user-friendly. Let's get this done!

Here's the image link for reference: https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/893f8b85-ccb9-47d7-aba7-30f77533333a