[Feature]: Distinguish API Contexts In Trace Viewer By Providing Custom Name

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🚀 Feature Request

In the pursuit of enhancing the usability and clarity of our API request tracing system, we propose a feature that allows users to provide a custom name for API contexts in the trace viewer. This feature will significantly improve the debugging experience, especially when dealing with multiple API contexts in a single test.

Example Use Case

Currently, when creating a new API context, the system assigns a default name in the format "api#". While this provides a unique identifier, it can be challenging to distinguish between multiple API contexts in the trace viewer. To address this issue, we suggest introducing an optional name parameter to the APIRequest.newContext method.

await apiRequest.newContext({ name: 'CMS' });

With this feature, users can assign a custom name to each API context, making it easier to identify and troubleshoot issues in the trace viewer.

Motivation

The primary motivation behind this feature request is to improve the debugging experience when dealing with multiple API contexts in a single test. By allowing users to provide a custom name for each API context, we can:

  • Enhance the readability and clarity of the trace viewer
  • Reduce the time and effort required to identify and troubleshoot issues
  • Improve the overall usability and effectiveness of our API request tracing system

Benefits

The benefits of this feature are numerous:

  • Improved debugging experience: With custom names for API contexts, users can quickly identify and troubleshoot issues in the trace viewer.
  • Enhanced readability: The trace viewer will become more readable and easier to navigate, reducing the time and effort required to understand the flow of API requests.
  • Increased productivity: By providing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface, users can focus on writing code and testing, rather than struggling to understand the behavior of their API requests.

Implementation

To implement this feature, we propose the following changes:

  • Introduce an optional name parameter to the APIRequest.newContext method
  • Update the trace viewer to display the custom name for each API context
  • Ensure that the default "api#" name is still used when no custom name is provided

Example Use Cases

Here are some example use cases that demonstrate the benefits of this feature:

  • Multiple API contexts: When dealing with multiple API contexts in a single test, providing custom names can help users quickly identify and troubleshoot issues in the trace viewer.
  • Complex API flows: In complex API flows, custom names can help users understand the flow of API requests and identify potential issues more easily.
  • Debugging: When debugging issues, custom names can provide valuable context and help users quickly identify the root cause of the problem.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

We've received several questions about the proposed feature to distinguish API contexts in the trace viewer by providing custom names. Below, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers to help clarify the benefits and implementation of this feature.

Q: What is the purpose of this feature?

A: The primary purpose of this feature is to improve the debugging experience when dealing with multiple API contexts in a single test. By allowing users to provide a custom name for each API context, we can enhance the readability and clarity of the trace viewer, reduce the time and effort required to identify and troubleshoot issues, and increase productivity.

Q: How will this feature be implemented?

A: To implement this feature, we propose introducing an optional name parameter to the APIRequest.newContext method. This parameter will allow users to assign a custom name to each API context. The trace viewer will be updated to display the custom name for each API context, while still using the default "api#" name when no custom name is provided.

Q: What are the benefits of this feature?

A: The benefits of this feature include:

  • Improved debugging experience: With custom names for API contexts, users can quickly identify and troubleshoot issues in the trace viewer.
  • Enhanced readability: The trace viewer will become more readable and easier to navigate, reducing the time and effort required to understand the flow of API requests.
  • Increased productivity: By providing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface, users can focus on writing code and testing, rather than struggling to understand the behavior of their API requests.

Q: How will this feature affect existing code?

A: This feature will not affect existing code that uses the APIRequest.newContext method without the name parameter. The default "api#" name will still be used in these cases. However, users who want to take advantage of this feature will need to update their code to include the name parameter.

Q: Can I use this feature with multiple API contexts?

A: Yes, this feature can be used with multiple API contexts. By providing custom names for each API context, users can easily identify and troubleshoot issues in the trace viewer, even when dealing with complex API flows.

Q: How will this feature be tested?

A: We will thoroughly test this feature to ensure that it works as expected and does not introduce any bugs or performance issues. We will also conduct user acceptance testing to validate the feature's usability and effectiveness.

Q: When can I expect this feature to be released?

A: We anticipate releasing this feature in the near future, pending successful testing and validation. We will provide regular updates on the feature's status and release date.

Q: Can I provide feedback on this feature?

A: Yes, we welcome feedback from users on this feature. If you have any suggestions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Your input will help us refine and improve the feature to meet your needs.

Q: How will this feature be documented?

A: We will provide comprehensive documentation on this feature, including usage examples, API references, and troubleshooting guides. This documentation will be available in our official documentation and will be updated regularly to reflect any changes or updates to the feature.

Conclusion

We hope this Q&A article has provided you with a better understanding of the proposed feature to distinguish API contexts in the trace viewer by providing custom names. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're committed to delivering a high-quality feature that meets your needs and improves your debugging experience.