Unveiling the Hidden Complexities of Feature Development

Introduction

When we look at a design mock-up, it's easy to underestimate the complexity of turning that design into functional code. This post aims to shed light on the often-overlooked challenges that developers face when implementing features based on design mock-ups.

The Illusion of the 'Happy Path'

Design mock-ups usually depict the ideal user journey, often referred to as the "happy path." In this ideal scenario, everything works perfectly: buttons click, forms submit, and pop-ups appear exactly as planned. However, this happy path is more of a "lucky path"—it's based on the assumption that all elements will work seamlessly together, which is rarely the case in real-world scenarios.

The Reality Behind a 'Simple' Form

Let's consider a seemingly straightforward example: a modal dialog that allows users to select an item from a dropdown, add some notes, and then click a "submit" button. 

While the mock-up might make it look simple, the actual implementation raises several questions not addressed in the UI:

• Where do the dropdown options come from?

• Should the "submit" button be disabled while loading?

• What are the validation rules for each field?

• What API endpoint should the form hit, and what headers are expected?

• …

Initially, We could roughly have some code snippet like this:

const SimpleForm = () => {
  const [isOpen, setOpen] = useState<boolean>(false);
  const [modalView, setModalView] = useState("form");

  const handleClick = () => setOpen(true);

  const onSubmit = async ({ option, text }) => {
    await sendRequest({ option, text });
  };

  return (
    <>
      <button onClick={handleClick}>Open Form</button>
      {isOpen && (
        <Modal>
          {modalView === "form" && <FormView onSubmit={onSubmit} />}
          {modalView === "confirmation" && <ConfirmationView />}
        </Modal>
      )}
    </>
  );
};

Enhancements for Better UX

As you delve deeper, you'll realize that several "enhancements" are needed for a more user-friendly experience:

• Disabling the button while submitting

• Showing a notification for failed requests and allowing retries

• Meeting accessibility requirements

• Displaying hints and validation errors

• …

When integrating with other components, you may encounter additional challenges, such as package version conflicts or z-index issues.

And the code keeps growing, you will soon get something like this. You have more states to manage, and logic for coordinate these states.

const SimpleFormModal = () => {
  const [isOpen, setOpen] = useState<boolean>(false);
  const [modalView, setModalView] = useState("form");

  const [showNotification, setShowNotification] = useState<boolean>(false);
  const [error, setError] = useState<Error | undefined>(undefined);
  const handleClick = () => setOpen(true);

  const onSubmit = async ({ option, text }) => {
    try {
      await sendRequest({ option, text });
    } catch (e) {
      setShowNotification(true);
      setError(e);
    }
  };

  return (
    <>
      <button onClick={handleClick}>Open Form</button>
      {isOpen && (
        <Modal>
          {modalView === "form" && <FormView onSubmit={onSubmit} />}
          {modalView === "confirmation" && <ConfirmationView />}
        </Modal>
      )}
      {showNotification && <Notification message={error} />}
    </>
  );
};

Common Pitfalls in Frontend Development

Beyond the form example, there are other challenges that often go unnoticed in the initial stages. For instance, error handling is rarely depicted in design mock-ups. What happens if the user's session times out, or if they enter an already-taken username? These "unhappy paths" are seldom considered but are crucial for a robust user experience.

Steps for Bridging the Gap

To better prepare for the complexities of real-world implementation, here are some strategies:

1. Think Beyond the Mock-up: Always consider what the design doesn't say, not just what it does.

2. Collaborate with Designers: Keep an open line of communication with your design team to clarify any ambiguities in the mock-up.

3. Plan for Error Handling: Always consider the "unhappy paths" and plan your error-handling strategies accordingly.

4. Think iteratively: Another good approach for such tasks is embrace the ambiguities, try to use established pattern first, and then seek help from designers, especially when you feel you’re blocked - go with the cheapest pattern first.

Should Design Be More Detailed?

While designers play a crucial role, we can't rely solely on them for every design detail. Developers should also contribute to design decisions, especially when they have insights into constraints that designers may not be aware of. In teams with a well-established design system, developers have the freedom to implement what they think is appropriate and then seek feedback from designers.

A loading screen serves as a good example. Initially, a simple spinner might suffice, but a more elaborate skeleton component could serve as an enhancement. Always consult with designers for their input.

Conclusion

While design mock-ups are invaluable for visualizing the end product, they often fall short in capturing the complexities of real-world implementation. By thinking critically about what lies beyond the "happy path," developers can better prepare for the challenges that inevitably arise during the development process.