Fixing The IFRC Go Field Report Submission Issue

by SLV Team 49 views
Fixing the IFRC Go Field Report Submission Issue: A Deep Dive

Hey everyone! 👋 We've got a tricky situation on our hands with the IFRC Go platform, specifically regarding the submission of Early Action field reports. Some of you, or maybe even you yourself, have bumped into a frustrating error that's preventing the successful submission of these crucial reports. Don't worry, we're going to dive deep into this issue, figure out what's going on, and explore potential fixes. We'll be looking at the specific steps to reproduce the problem, the expected and actual behaviors, and why this is a high-priority issue. Let's get started, shall we?

The Bug: Unveiling the Submission Blocker

Alright, let's break down this field report submission snag. The core problem lies within the Early Warning / Early Action option when creating a new field report. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how the issue surfaces:

  1. Starting Point: You kick things off by clicking on "Create a Report" and then selecting to create a new field report. Simple enough, right?
  2. The Choice: You then opt for the "Early Warning / Early Action" option. This is where the trouble begins.
  3. Filling the Basics: You diligently fill in the details on the first page, which is aptly named "Context." All good so far.
  4. The Turning Point: You then navigate to the next page, labeled "Risk Analysis." This is where the gremlins start to appear.
  5. The Error: Here's the kicker: when you try to add text to the "Risk Analysis" field, BAM! An error message pops up, yelling, "Please correct all the errors before submission!"
  6. The Workaround (sort of): If you're sneaky and leave the "Risk Analysis" field blank, you can bypass the error. But, you know, that's not really a solution, is it?
  7. Submission Blocked: The fundamental problem is that this error essentially prevents you from submitting the field report, which is a major bummer.
  8. The Alternate Path: Interestingly, if you choose the "Event" option instead of "Early Action," the error vanishes. You're then greeted with the "Situation Overview" field on the second page (the equivalent of "Risk Analysis").

This whole situation highlights a clear issue: something's going haywire in the "Risk Analysis" field when dealing with Early Action reports. It's like there's a glitch in the matrix!

The Importance of Early Action Reports

Before we go any further, let's remember why these Early Action reports are so important. They are critical for proactive disaster response. Early Action reports enable us to anticipate potential crises and provide aid before the situation escalates. Being able to submit these reports quickly and easily is therefore of utmost importance.

Diving into the Details: Environment and Reproducibility

Let's get even more granular and examine the technical aspects of this issue. Understanding the environment and the steps needed to reproduce the error is vital for any fix.

The Playing Field: Where the Bug Resides

The issue has been identified within the Production environment of the IFRC Go platform. The specific page where the problem occurs is: https://go.ifrc.org/field-reports/new. So, if you're experiencing this, you're not alone, and it's happening in the real world, where this data is actually needed.

Browsers and the Bug

This issue has been observed on both Chrome and Firefox, which suggests that the problem isn't browser-specific. This points to a deeper issue with the platform's code or logic rather than a compatibility problem.

Reproducing the Issue: A Step-by-Step Guide

To make it easy for the developers to fix this issue, here are the exact steps to reproduce the bug. This level of detail is key for any effective bug report. The more detail, the better. You can reproduce the error by taking these actions:

  1. Report Creation: First, click on "Create a Report" and select to create a "New Field Report."
  2. Report Type Selection: Select the "Early Warning / Early Action" option.
  3. Context Input: Complete the details on the "Context" page.
  4. Risk Analysis Entry: Proceed to the "Risk Analysis" page.
  5. Text Input: Attempt to add text to the "Risk Analysis" field. That’s when the error should appear. If it does, you've successfully reproduced the issue. If not, make sure you've followed each step, and that you're using the correct field report type. This kind of step-by-step guidance is really important. Without it, developers may have to spend a lot of time just figuring out how to replicate the bug.

Expected vs. Actual Behavior: The Discrepancy

Now, let’s dig into what should be happening and what is actually happening. Understanding this discrepancy is fundamental to finding a solution.

What Should Happen (Expected Behavior)

Ideally, the "Risk Analysis" field should allow users to input text without throwing an error. The user should be able to complete the report and submit it. The process should flow smoothly, and the user should be able to convey the risk assessment details accurately and completely. In a perfect world, the user should be able to add relevant information about the risk and then move on to the next step. So in short, the field should function as designed.

What Is Happening (Actual Behavior)

Instead, when the user tries to add text to the "Risk Analysis" field, they are met with the error message: "Please correct all the errors before submission!" This prevents them from submitting the report. The field, in essence, is broken, and a core function is not working properly. To make things worse, the "Risk Analysis" field in the Early Warning/Early Action reports behaves the same way as the "Situation Overview" field in "Event" reports. The two fields are designed to do different things, so that isn't ideal.

The Root Cause: Potential Culprits

Alright, let's play detective and try to figure out what might be causing this error. A few potential factors could be at play here:

  • HTML Tag Interference: There's a chance that some unwanted HTML tags or formatting might be interfering with the input within the "Risk Analysis" field, which would cause an error.
  • Code Conflicts: It's also possible that there's a conflict within the code related to the "Risk Analysis" field. Perhaps there are some coding errors or logic errors that are making the field buggy.
  • Conditional Logic Issues: The problem could stem from faulty conditional logic. Maybe the code isn't correctly handling the Early Warning / Early Action report type, leading to the error.

Without a deeper code dive, it's tough to say for sure. But these are some of the most likely suspects.

Why This Matters: High-Priority Status

This bug is labeled "High" priority because it's breaking a major functionality. People can't submit critical Early Action reports, which are vital for disaster preparedness and response. It is a major issue that needs to be resolved quickly. The reports contain information that helps people and saves lives, so it must be fixed as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence!

Screenshots: Visual Evidence

Screenshots can be very helpful in helping developers fix the problem. Here are some key images.

Screenshot 1: Error Message

This screenshot shows the error message that appears when the user tries to add text to the