Week 7: Backend API Integration and Mid-Term Evaluation
Welcome to my Week 7 update on my GSoC journey! This week has been incredibly exciting and fulfilling, as I finally connected the backend API to the frontend Messages Admin page.
Here’s a look at the highlights of this week:
Connecting the Backend API to the Frontend Messages Admin Page
I’m thrilled to share that the backend API is now seamlessly integrated with the frontend Messages Admin page! This integration brings the project to life, allowing for dynamic interaction between the backend data and the user interface. Here are some key accomplishments:
- Data Fetching: Implemented smooth API calls to fetch and display data from the backend on the Messages Admin page.
- Form Integration: Ensured that form submissions on the admin page effectively communicate with the backend, allowing for real-time data updates and configuration changes.
- User Experience: Added user-friendly error handling and feedback to make the interaction as smooth and intuitive as possible.
This step is a major milestone, making the Messages module more efficient and user-friendly for system administrators.
Creating a Mid-Term Evaluation Video
This week, I also took some time to create a mid-term evaluation video here. This was a fun and reflective process, allowing me to showcase:
- Project Overview: A brief introduction to the Messages module and its overall goals.
- Progress Made: A demonstration of the features developed so far, with a special highlight on the newly integrated Messages Admin page.
- Challenges and Solutions: A look at some of the challenges faced during development and the creative solutions implemented to overcome them.
Creating the video was a great way to visually share the journey so far with my mentors and the OpenMRS community, and it felt fantastic to see how much progress has been made!
Lessons Learned
This week has been a great learning experience. Some of the key lessons include:
- Importance of Clear API Documentation: Having well-documented API endpoints made the integration process much smoother. It underscored the importance of good documentation for any development project.
- Error Handling and User Feedback: I learned how critical it is to handle errors gracefully and provide clear feedback to users. This not only improves the user experience but also helps in debugging and fixing issues faster.
- Balancing Development and Communication: Creating the mid-term evaluation video was a reminder of the importance of communicating progress effectively. It’s essential to balance development work with regular updates to keep everyone informed and engaged.
Looking Ahead: Pushing a PR and Writing Automated Tests
With the backend integration complete, I’m excited to move forward with the next steps:
- Pushing a PR: I’ll be preparing and pushing a pull request for the newly developed features. This is an exciting step as it involves getting feedback and eventually merging the new functionality into the main codebase.
- Writing Automated Tests: To ensure the stability and robustness of the Messages Admin page, I’ll be writing comprehensive automated tests. These tests will cover:
- Data fetching and display functionality
- Form submissions and interactions
- Error handling and user feedback
Automated tests are crucial for maintaining the application’s integrity and ensuring that everything works smoothly across different scenarios.
Thank you for following my journey. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting developments in the coming weeks! For the timeline of my blogs check here
and check out the Project details by
Cheers!
