Build & Test The Filter Menu Component

by SLV Team 39 views

Hey folks! Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of building and testing a Filter Menu Component, specifically for the ArtistryPage and ResearchAndAcademicWorksPage. This component is super important because it's what handles those filter sections (Category, Genre, Year, you know the drill) that help users narrow down their search results. We're going to break down the atomic, functional, and business logic methods, ensuring everything works like a well-oiled machine. Plus, we'll go over the acceptance criteria and the implementation plan to make sure we're all on the same page. So, grab a coffee (or your favorite beverage), and let's get started!

Understanding the Filter Menu Component

Alright, so what exactly is this Filter Menu Component? Think of it as the control center for all the filtering options on your page. It's the container that holds the different filter sections, like the ones for category, genre, and year. Users can use these sections to filter the content they are looking at. Your goal is to make sure this component is user-friendly, efficient, and, most importantly, accurate. Users will be using this component to refine their search. It's critical for a great user experience. This means the component must be accurate and reliable. Any errors would cause a bad experience. Accuracy is key. The component must also be efficient. Fast loading times and quick responses to user interactions are important. Users want fast responses. The implementation should also follow best practices. This ensures maintainability and scalability. We are going to break down this component. We're going to look at how to get section titles, check if a section is expanded, toggle sections, and much more.

Atomic Methods: The Building Blocks

First up, let's talk about atomic methods. These are the most basic, fundamental methods that make up the component. They are the building blocks. Think of them as the individual actions that the component can perform. These are the simplest methods, and they are essential. Let's look at each of them:

  • getVisibleSectionTitles(): This method is super simple. It's going to return a list of all the titles of the visible sections on the user interface (UI). For example, it should return "Category", "Genre", and "Year" if those sections are visible. This helps confirm that all the intended sections are displayed.
  • isSectionExpanded(sectionName): This method is a checker. It takes a section name (like "Category") and tells you whether that section is currently expanded or collapsed. It returns a boolean value (true if expanded, false if collapsed). Useful for determining the current state of a section.
  • clickSectionToggle(sectionName): This one is for user interaction. When a user clicks the toggle icon (usually an arrow) next to a section name, this method simulates that click. It expands a collapsed section or collapses an expanded section. It takes a section name as an argument. The click action initiates the state change.
  • getSectionLabel(sectionName): This one retrieves the text label of a given section. It takes a section name as input and returns the label displayed on the UI. For instance, the section label for the "Category" section might be "Category:".

Functional Methods: Making Things Happen

Now, let's move on to the functional methods. These methods use the atomic methods to perform more complex actions. They are higher-level functions that use the atomic methods to make things happen. They are the engines of the component. They orchestrate the component's behavior. Let's break them down:

  • expandSection(sectionName): This method expands a collapsed section. If a section is already expanded, this method should do nothing. It expands a specific section. It typically uses the clickSectionToggle method to expand the section. The section name determines which section to expand.
  • collapseSection(sectionName): Opposite of expandSection, this method collapses an expanded section. If the section is already collapsed, it does nothing. This closes the section. Also, it uses the clickSectionToggle method to collapse a section. The section name determines which section to collapse.
  • toggleSection(sectionName): This is a combined action method. It toggles the state of a section. If it's expanded, it collapses it. If it's collapsed, it expands it. This method provides the toggle functionality by using the clickSectionToggle method. The section name is an argument to tell the method which section to toggle.
  • expandAllSections(): This method expands all the sections that are currently collapsed. This method is a bulk action. It iterates through all the sections and expands them. This provides a way to expand everything at once.
  • collapseAllSections(): This method collapses all sections that are currently expanded. Like expandAllSections, this is a bulk action. It iterates through all sections and collapses them. This method gives users an easy way to close everything at once.

Business Logic Methods: Applying Filters

At this level of the Filter Menu Component, there are no specific business logic methods to implement. Applying the filters themselves is handled by the FilterMenuComponent. This component focuses on managing the sections. It doesn't include the actual logic for applying the filters. The filter management is the main focus of this component. The other components will handle the applying of the actual filters.

Implementation Plan: Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, time to get our hands dirty! Here’s a plan to implement the Filter Menu Component, ensuring we cover all the bases:

  1. Create FilterYearItemComponent.ts: This component handles the individual year items within the Year filter section. This is a supporting component. It's essential for managing the year filter. This will be the first step in implementing the component.
  2. Implement Atomic Methods: Build the core functions first. Start with the getVisibleSectionTitles(), isSectionExpanded(sectionName), clickSectionToggle(sectionName), and getSectionLabel(sectionName) methods. These are the fundamental building blocks.
  3. Implement Functional Methods: Use the atomic methods to create the functional methods (expandSection(), collapseSection(), toggleSection(), expandAllSections(), and collapseAllSections()). The functional methods rely on the atomic methods to operate.
  4. Implement Business Logic Method: Ensure that applying filters is handled by the FilterMenuComponent. At this level, there's no business logic needed. Confirm that the filter functionality is handled by the parent component.
  5. Write Tests: Comprehensive testing is crucial. Write tests to verify all the methods. Each method needs to be tested thoroughly. Testing confirms all components are working as expected. These tests will confirm that all methods work correctly.

Acceptance Criteria: Checking Our Work

To make sure we've done a good job, we need to meet the following acceptance criteria: These are the requirements. They are how we'll determine if the component is working correctly.

  • getVisibleSectionTitles() returns correct section names.
  • isSectionExpanded(sectionName) accurately reflects the section state.
  • clickSectionToggle(sectionName) toggles the section.
  • expandSection() and collapseSection() work correctly.
  • toggleSection() changes state as expected.
  • expandAllSections() and collapseAllSections() perform on all sections.

Testing: Making Sure It Works

Testing is the key to ensuring that the Filter Menu Component functions correctly and provides a seamless user experience. Here's a quick rundown of the testing process:

  • Unit Tests: Test each method individually to verify its functionality. Write unit tests for all atomic and functional methods. This ensures each part of the component operates as expected. Unit tests are vital.
  • Integration Tests: Test how different methods interact with each other. Make sure the methods work together. This confirms the methods work together correctly. Integration tests help to identify issues related to method interaction.
  • UI Tests: Verify the component's behavior in the UI. Ensure that the filter menu displays and functions correctly on both the ArtistryPage and ResearchAndAcademicWorksPage. These tests confirm the UI elements work.
  • Test Cases: Create a variety of test cases. These test cases confirm the component's functionality. Test cases should cover all possible scenarios.
  • Edge Cases: Test edge cases and boundary conditions to ensure that the component handles unexpected situations gracefully. Testing edge cases prevents unexpected behavior. These edge cases test the boundaries of the component.
  • Test Coverage: Aim for high test coverage to ensure all parts of the component are thoroughly tested. Aiming for high test coverage ensures all parts are thoroughly tested. High test coverage gives confidence in the component.

Estimated Effort: How Long Will It Take?

Based on the initial estimate, the implementation is expected to take around 4 hours. This estimate includes the time for implementation, testing, and debugging. Keep in mind that this is just an estimate, and the actual time may vary depending on the complexity of the implementation and any unforeseen issues. We may need to adjust the time, depending on the complexity.

Dependencies: What We Need

Before we begin, let's make sure we have everything we need. The Filter Menu Component depends on:

Make sure that these dependencies are available before you start working on the implementation.

Conclusion: Let's Get Coding!

Alright, folks, that's the plan! By following these steps and keeping the acceptance criteria in mind, we can build a robust and user-friendly Filter Menu Component. Remember, thorough testing is the key to success. With a well-tested component, the users will be happy! Good luck, and happy coding! We are on the way to a useful and reliable component. Now get coding, and build something awesome!