Add A Status Field For Shifts In Frontend And Backend
Introduction
Managing shift states in a frontend and backend application can be a complex task, especially when multiple booleans are used to determine the state of a shift. In this article, we will explore how to simplify shift state management by introducing a single status field with three possible values: not_started, started, and finished. This adjustment will be applied to both the frontend and backend, ensuring a seamless user experience.
The Current State of Shift Management
Currently, the shift entity in the frontend does not have a dedicated status field. Instead, multiple booleans are used to determine the state of a shift. This approach can lead to confusion and make it difficult to manage shift states. For instance, a shift can be in one of the following states:
- Not started
- Started
- Finished
To simplify state management, a single field should be introduced with the following possible values:
- 0 -> not_started
- 1 -> started
- 2 -> finished
Frontend Changes
Modifying the Angular Frontend
To simplify shift state management, the Angular frontend should be modified to use a single status field instead of multiple booleans. This can be achieved by introducing a new status field in the shift component.
// shift.component.ts
import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
@Component({
selector: 'app-shift',
templateUrl: './shift.component.html',
styleUrls: ['./shift.component.css']
})
export class ShiftComponent implements OnInit {
shift: any = {};
statuses = [
{ value: 0, label: 'Not Started' },
{ value: 1, label: 'Started' },
{ value: 2, label: 'Finished' }
];
constructor() { }
ngOnInit(): void {
}
// Update the shift status when the start_date field is filled
updateStatusStarted(shift: any): void {
shift.state = 1;
}
// Update the shift status when the end_date field is filled
updateStatusFinished(shift: any): void {
shift.state = 2;
}
}
Ensuring Correct Handling of Shift Statuses
To ensure that the shift component correctly handles the three statuses, the following logic should be implemented:
- When the start_date field is filled, the status should change to started.
- When the end_date field is filled, the status should change to finished.
// shift.component.html
<div>
<label>Start Date:</label>
<input type="date" [(ngModel)]="shift.start_date" (ngModelChange)="updateStatusStarted(shift)">
</div>
<div>
<label>End Date:</label>
<input type="date" [(ngModel)]="shift.end_date" (ngModelChange)="updateStatusFinished(shift)">
</div>
<div>
<label>Status:</label>
<select [(ngModel)]="shift.state">
<option *ngFor="let status of statuses" [value]="status.value">{{ status.label }}</option>
</select>
</div>
Backend Changes
Adding a New State Field to the Shifts Table
To simplify shift state management, a new state field should be added to the shifts table using the ENUM type.
-- Create a new ENUM type for shift states
CREATE TYPE STATE AS ENUM ('not_started', 'started', 'finished');
-- Add a new state field to the shifts table
ALTER TABLE shifts
ADD COLUMN state STATE NOT NULL DEFAULT 'not_started';
Implementing Logic to Automatically Update the Shift Status
To automatically update the shift status when the start_date or end_date field is filled, the following logic should be implemented using Laravel's built-in features, similar to a trigger.
// Update the shift status when the start_date field is filled
static::updating(function ($shift) {
if ($shift->start_date && !$shift->getOriginal('clock_on_time')) {
$shift->state = 1; // started
}
if ($shift->end_date && !$shift->getOriginal('clock_off_time')) {
$shift->state = 2; // finished
}
});
Schema Update
To update the schema, the following code should be used:
// Update the shifts table schema
Schema::table('shifts', function (Blueprint $table) {
$table->tinyInteger('state')->default(0)->comment('0 = not_started, 1 = started, 2 = finished');
});
Conclusion
Introduction
In our previous article, we explored how to simplify shift state management by introducing a single status field with three possible values: not_started, started, and finished. This adjustment was applied to both the frontend and backend, ensuring a seamless user experience. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to simplifying shift state management.
Q&A
Q: Why do we need to simplify shift state management?
A: Simplifying shift state management can help reduce the complexity of managing shift states. By using a single status field, we can easily determine the state of a shift and make it easier to manage.
Q: What are the benefits of using a single status field?
A: Using a single status field can provide several benefits, including:
- Simplified state management
- Reduced complexity
- Improved user experience
Q: How do we implement a single status field in the frontend?
A: To implement a single status field in the frontend, you can use a library like Angular. You can create a new component and add a select dropdown to display the possible statuses.
Q: How do we implement a single status field in the backend?
A: To implement a single status field in the backend, you can use a database management system like MySQL. You can create a new table and add a column to store the status of a shift.
Q: What are the possible values for the status field?
A: The possible values for the status field are:
- 0 -> not_started
- 1 -> started
- 2 -> finished
Q: How do we update the status field automatically?
A: To update the status field automatically, you can use a trigger in the backend. You can create a trigger that updates the status field when the start_date or end_date field is filled.
Q: What is the schema update for the shifts table?
A: The schema update for the shifts table is as follows:
// Update the shifts table schema
Schema::table('shifts', function (Blueprint $table) {
$table->tinyInteger('state')->default(0)->comment('0 = not_started, 1 = started, 2 = finished');
});
Q: How do we handle multiple shifts with the same status?
A: To handle multiple shifts with the same status, you can use a library like Laravel. You can create a new model and add a method to retrieve shifts with a specific status.
Q: What are the best practices for simplifying shift state management?
A: Some best practices for simplifying shift state management include:
- Using a single status field
- Implementing a trigger to update the status field automatically
- Using a library like Laravel to handle multiple shifts with the same status
Conclusion
In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to simplifying shift state management. By using a single status field, we can simplify state management and reduce the complexity of shift state management. We hope this article has provided you with a better understanding of how to simplify shift state management.