Use Clear and Concise Validation Messages

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 25 views

Introduction

When working with workflow definitions and instances, it's essential to ensure that the correct actions are taken to avoid any potential issues or data loss. One common scenario is when a user attempts to perform a bulk action on a page without selecting any items. In this article, we'll explore the expected behavior for this scenario and provide guidance on how to implement it.

Reproduction Steps

To demonstrate the issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Workflow Definition Page

Open the Workflow definition page to access the bulk actions options.

Step 2: Select Delete/Publish/Unpublish/Export without Selecting the Workflow Definition Item

Select the "BULK ACTIONS → Export" option without selecting any workflow definition items. The same applies to other bulk actions (Delete/Publish/Unpublish).

Step 3: Export an Empty Workflow Definition

As shown in the image below, an empty workflow definition is exported with 0 bytes.

The same use case applies to the Workflow Instances page under BULK ACTIONS.

Expected Behavior

The expected behavior in this scenario is to either display a validation message prompting the user to select an item before performing a bulk action or disable the bulk actions option when no item is selected.

Why is this Important?

Displaying a validation message or disabling the bulk actions option when no item is selected is crucial for several reasons:

Prevents Data Loss: By ensuring that a user selects an item before performing a bulk action, you prevent potential data loss or corruption.
Improves User Experience: A clear and concise validation message or disabled bulk actions option helps users understand what they need to do to proceed, reducing frustration and improving overall user experience.
Enhances Security: By preventing bulk actions on empty selections, you reduce the risk of unauthorized or unintended actions, enhancing overall system security.

Implementation Guidance

To implement the expected behavior, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Add Validation Logic

Add validation logic to check if any items are selected before enabling the bulk actions option. You can use JavaScript to achieve this.

Step 2: Display a Validation Message

If no items are selected, display a validation message prompting the user to select an item before performing a bulk action.

Step 3: Disable Bulk Actions Option

Alternatively, you can disable the bulk actions option when no item is selected.

Example Code

Here's an example code snippet in JavaScript to demonstrate the implementation:

// Get the bulk actions button
const bulkActionsButton = document.getElementById('bulk-actions-button');

// Get the workflow definition items
const workflowDefinitionItems = document.querySelectorAll('.workflow-definition-item');

// Add event listener to the bulk actions button
bulkActionsButton.addEventListener('click', () => {
    // Check if any items are selected
    if (workflowDefinitionItems.length === 0) {
        // Display a validation message
        alert('Please select an item before performing a bulk action.');
    } else {
        // Enable the bulk actions option
        bulkActionsButton.disabled = false;
    }
});

Conclusion

In conclusion, displaying a validation message or disabling the bulk actions option when no item is selected is essential to prevent potential issues, improve user experience, and enhance security. By following the implementation guidance and example code provided, you can ensure that your workflow definition and instance pages behave as expected.

Best Practices

To ensure that your implementation meets the expected behavior, follow these best practices:

Use Clear and Concise Validation Messages: Display validation messages that clearly communicate what the user needs to do to proceed.
Disable Bulk Actions Option: Disable the bulk actions option when no item is selected to prevent unintended actions.
Test Thoroughly: Test your implementation thoroughly to ensure that it behaves as expected in different scenarios.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the importance of displaying a validation message or disabling the bulk actions option when no workflow definition items are selected. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions related to this topic.

Q: Why is it essential to display a validation message or disable the bulk actions option when no workflow definition items are selected?

A: Displaying a validation message or disabling the bulk actions option when no workflow definition items are selected is crucial for several reasons:

Prevents Data Loss: By ensuring that a user selects an item before performing a bulk action, you prevent potential data loss or corruption.
Improves User Experience: A clear and concise validation message or disabled bulk actions option helps users understand what they need to do to proceed, reducing frustration and improving overall user experience.
Enhances Security: By preventing bulk actions on empty selections, you reduce the risk of unauthorized or unintended actions, enhancing overall system security.

Q: How can I implement the expected behavior in my workflow definition and instance pages?

A: To implement the expected behavior, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Add Validation Logic

Add validation logic to check if any items are selected before enabling the bulk actions option. You can use JavaScript to achieve this.

Step 2: Display a Validation Message

If no items are selected, display a validation message prompting the user to select an item before performing a bulk action.

Step 3: Disable Bulk Actions Option

Alternatively, you can disable the bulk actions option when no item is selected.

Q: What is the best way to display a validation message?

A: The best way to display a validation message is to use a clear and concise message that communicates what the user needs to do to proceed. You can use JavaScript to display an alert message or a toast notification.

Q: Can I use a different approach to implement the expected behavior?

A: Yes, you can use a different approach to implement the expected behavior. For example, you can use a library or a framework that provides a built-in solution for displaying validation messages or disabling bulk actions options.

Q: How can I test my implementation to ensure it behaves as expected?

A: To test your implementation, you can use a combination of manual testing and automated testing. You can use tools like Selenium or Cypress to automate your tests and ensure that your implementation behaves as expected in different scenarios.

Q: What are some best practices I should follow when implementing the expected behavior?

A: To ensure that your implementation meets the expected behavior, follow these best practices:

Use Clear and Concise Validation Messages: Display validation messages that clearly communicate what the user needs to do to proceed.
Disable Bulk Actions Option: Disable the bulk actions option when no item is selected to prevent unintended actions.
Test Thoroughly: Test your implementation thoroughly to ensure that it behaves as expected in different scenarios.

Conclusion

In conclusion, displaying a validation message or disabling the bulk actions option when no workflow definition items are selected is essential to prevent potential issues, improve user experience, and enhance security. By following the implementation guidance and best practices provided, you can ensure that your workflow definition and instance pages behave as expected.

Additional Resources

For more information on implementing the expected behavior, you can refer to the following resources: