Fixing Header Back Button Loop: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Mei Lin 53 views

Hey guys! We've got a pesky issue with our header back button that's causing a looping problem. This guide will walk you through the problem, the expected behavior, and how we can fix it. Let's dive in!

Understanding the Problem: The Header Back Button Loop

So, the main issue we're tackling is the header back button loop. Currently, the back button isn't functioning as smoothly as we'd like. Instead of navigating back through the page history in a clean, sequential manner, it's getting stuck in a loop. This means that when you click the back button multiple times, it doesn't take you further back in your history; instead, it returns you to the previous page, creating a frustrating loop. This is definitely not the user experience we're aiming for, and it's something we need to address pronto!

We want users to navigate through our application effortlessly. Imagine you're exploring different parts of the app, maybe checking out some teams, diving into projects, and even filling out a project creation form. Each step should feel natural, and the back button should be your trusty companion, helping you retrace your steps without any hiccups. But with the current looping issue, that experience is compromised. Users might get stuck or frustrated, and that's the last thing we want. We need to ensure that each click of the back button takes the user to the correct previous page, maintaining a logical flow and making navigation a breeze.

To truly grasp the impact of this issue, let’s think about it from the user’s perspective. Picture this: You're on a project creation form, you hit back to go to the projects page, and then you hit back again, expecting to land on the teams page. But instead, you're back on the project creation form! Annoying, right? This loop not only disrupts the user's flow but can also lead to a negative impression of the app's usability. A well-functioning back button is a cornerstone of good navigation, and it's crucial for keeping users engaged and satisfied. Our goal is to provide a seamless and intuitive experience, and fixing this loop is a significant step in that direction. By ensuring that the back button works as expected, we’re not just fixing a bug; we’re enhancing the overall user journey and making our application more user-friendly.

Reproducing the Issue: Step-by-Step Guide

To get a better grasp of this issue, let's walk through the steps to reproduce it. This will help us all see the problem in action and understand what needs fixing. Here’s how you can recreate the header back button loop:

  1. Access any page: Start by navigating to any page within the application. For example, you can begin by accessing the teams page. This is our starting point, the first step in our journey to replicate the issue. It's important to start here so we can build a history of pages that we can then try to navigate back through.
  2. Access the projects page: From the teams page, proceed to the projects page. This is our second stop, and it adds another layer to our navigation history. By moving from teams to projects, we’re creating a clear path that the back button should be able to retrace.
  3. Access the project creation form: Now, let’s go a step further and navigate to the project creation form. This is typically where users input details to create a new project. This step is crucial because it puts us several layers deep in the navigation, allowing us to thoroughly test the back button's functionality.
  4. Press the back button (first time): With the project creation form open, click the back button once. As expected, this should take you back to the projects page. This first click seems to work fine, giving us a sense that the back button is doing its job.
  5. Press the back button (second time): Now, here’s where the issue comes into play. Click the back button a second time. Instead of navigating back to the teams page, you’ll find yourself back on the project creation form. This is the loop we're talking about – the back button isn't taking us further back in the history; it's just looping between the projects page and the project creation form.

By following these steps, you should be able to consistently reproduce the header back button loop issue. Understanding the exact steps to recreate the problem is vital because it allows us to confirm that our fix is effective. Once we implement a solution, we can revisit these steps and verify that the back button now functions correctly, taking us back through our history in the expected sequence. This methodical approach ensures that we’re not just addressing the symptom but truly resolving the root cause of the looping problem.

Current Behavior vs. Expected Behavior

Let's clarify what's happening now versus what should be happening. It's essential to have a clear understanding of the difference to guide our fix.

Current Behavior

Currently, when you click the back button for the second time, it returns you to the immediately previously visited page, instead of going further back in the history. Using our example, clicking the back button the second time takes you back to the project creation form, creating a frustrating loop.

Expected Behavior

The expected behavior is that each click of the back button should navigate to the previous page in the history. So, if you navigate from Teams -> Projects -> Project Creation Form, clicking back once should take you to Projects, and clicking back again should take you to Teams. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Navigating to: Project Creation Form
  • Pressing back (first time): Should return to Projects
  • Pressing back (second time): Should return to Teams

This sequential navigation is crucial for a smooth user experience. The back button should act as a reliable way to retrace steps, and it’s essential that it functions predictably. When users click back, they expect to move one step back in their journey, and our goal is to make that expectation a reality. By ensuring the back button behaves as anticipated, we’re enhancing the intuitiveness of our application and empowering users to navigate with confidence.

To drive this point home, let’s consider another scenario. Imagine a user is exploring different product categories on an e-commerce site. They start on the homepage, click on “Electronics,” then drill down to “Laptops,” and finally view a specific laptop model. If the back button is working correctly, each click should take them back one step: first to the “Laptops” category, then to “Electronics,” and finally to the homepage. This clear, sequential navigation is what users expect and what we need to deliver. By contrasting the current looping behavior with the desired sequential behavior, we highlight the importance of fixing this issue and ensuring a user-friendly navigation experience.

Suggested Solution: Branch and Commit

To keep our codebase organized and make the fix traceable, here are some suggestions for the branch and commit:

Suggested Branch

  • fix/cabecalho-voltar

Suggested Commit

  • fix(): Modifies back function
    • In the back function in pages/util/functions, the window.href command was replaced with ...
    • Closes #115

Diving Deeper into the Solution

Let's break down why these suggestions are effective and how they contribute to a well-structured fix. The branch name fix/cabecalho-voltar is clear and concise, immediately indicating that this branch is dedicated to addressing a fix related to the header's back button functionality. The prefix fix/ signals that this is a bug fix, which helps in categorizing and managing different types of branches within the repository. The descriptive name cabecalho-voltar (which translates to "header-back" in English) further clarifies the specific area of the application being addressed. This level of detail is crucial for team collaboration, as it allows developers to quickly understand the purpose of the branch without having to delve into the code.

Now, let's examine the suggested commit message: fix(): Modifies back function. The format of this message follows the conventional commit style, which is widely adopted in software development for its clarity and consistency. The fix() prefix indicates that this commit resolves a bug, and the concise summary "Modifies back function" clearly states the action taken. This brevity is important because commit messages should provide a quick overview of the changes without being overly verbose. The detailed description that follows provides additional context:

  • "In the back function in pages/util/functions, the window.href command was replaced with ..." This line pinpoints the exact location of the fix (the pages/util/functions file) and the specific change made (replacing window.href). It's crucial to mention the specific code that was modified, as this helps other developers understand the technical details of the fix.
  • "Closes #115" This line links the commit to a specific issue tracker entry (in this case, issue #115). This is a best practice because it creates a clear connection between the code change and the problem it solves. Anyone viewing the commit can easily reference the issue tracker for more information about the bug, its context, and any related discussions.

By adhering to these suggestions, we not only fix the header back button loop issue but also ensure that our codebase remains organized and maintainable. Clear branch names and well-crafted commit messages are essential for effective collaboration and help prevent future issues by providing a detailed history of changes.

Conclusion

Alright, guys, tackling this header back button loop is crucial for a smoother user experience. By understanding the problem, reproducing it, and following the suggested solution, we can ensure our app's navigation is top-notch. Let's get this fixed and keep our users happy!