Enhancing Qualityfolio: Linking Folder Names For Improved Traceability

Hey guys, let's dive into a common snag that can trip us up when working with testing dashboards, specifically within the Qualityfolio pattern. We're talking about the missing link between the test suites and test cases displayed in your dashboard and their corresponding folders back in the repository. It's a classic case of folder names having no significance or traceability in the dashboard. This lack of connection creates extra work and can be a real headache when you're trying to track down a specific test or understand where something lives within your project structure. So, let's break down the problem, what it means for us, and a straightforward solution to make things a whole lot smoother. Are you ready to level up your Qualityfolio game?

The Root of the Problem: Disconnected Folder Names

Alright, imagine this: You've got a well-organized repository with test suites neatly tucked away in their respective folders. You've been diligent, giving each folder a unique and descriptive name to make everything clear. Now, you hop over to your Qualityfolio dashboard, expecting to see a direct reflection of this organization. You're thinking, "Great, I can quickly spot that 'Login Tests' suite and know exactly where it lives in my codebase." But, bam! The dashboard doesn't show those folder names. They're just… gone. You're left with a list of test suites and test cases, but no clear path back to the source. This is exactly what we mean when we say "folder names have no significance or traceability in the dashboard." This is the core issue that we're tackling here, and it's a productivity killer because it forces you to manually hunt down where a test suite originates, costing you time and effort.

This isn't just about a cosmetic detail; it impacts how we work, how we understand our projects, and how quickly we can debug or update tests. When you can't easily connect a test case in the dashboard to its folder in the repository, you're forced to rely on manual investigation. You might have to sift through code, compare names, or even use search functions to find what you're looking for. This manual process can become especially time-consuming if the dashboard displays names that are similar, or if your project has a lot of test suites and test cases. It's like trying to navigate a city without street signs; you'll eventually get there, but it's going to take longer and be much less enjoyable.

Furthermore, the current setup can be more challenging when you have identical names across different projects or suites. This is a common practice to make it easier to maintain and work within the system. The lack of folder paths means that you won't be able to distinguish between similar test suites. The solution is simple: get that folder path added to your dashboard so you can quickly distinguish between similar tests.

Impact: What Does This Mean for You?

So, what's the real-world impact of not having folder name traceability? Well, it's more than just a minor inconvenience. It directly affects several key aspects of your workflow:

• Loss of Traceability: The most significant impact is the breakdown of traceability. You lose the ability to easily follow the path from a test case or suite in the dashboard back to its origin in the repository. This makes it harder to understand the context of a test and its place within the larger system.
• Increased Manual Effort: Locating the origin folder for each suite or case becomes a manual process. You have to spend time searching and cross-referencing information, which is a drain on your time and resources.
• Reduced Clarity: Similar names are more difficult to distinguish, especially when you have multiple suites with the same name. Without a folder path, it becomes impossible to easily differentiate between them.
• Efficiency and Navigation: While it doesn't break any functionality, it does impact usability and navigation efficiency. You spend more time navigating and searching, and less time focusing on the actual testing tasks.

Basically, the absence of this simple feature can lead to slower debugging, harder test maintenance, and an overall less efficient testing process. Think about it: every time you need to find a test, you're taking a detour. Every detour adds up, and soon you're spending a significant amount of time just navigating, instead of testing. That's a huge waste of your time.

Steps to Reproduce: Seeing the Issue in Action

Let's get practical. If you're using Qualityfolio and want to see this issue for yourself, here's how to reproduce it:

1. Create Test Suites: Begin by creating several test suites in your repository. Give each suite a unique and descriptive folder name. This is your starting point; ensure that your folder organization is clean and logical, so the dashboard mirrors it.
2. View in Dashboard: Head over to your Qualityfolio dashboard and view the test suites. This is where you'll observe the discrepancy. Observe how the test suites are displayed.
3. Observe the Missing Link: Notice that the dashboard doesn't display the folder names or paths. The suite's name is just… there. You have no way of knowing where that suite lives in the repository without further investigation.

By following these steps, you'll see firsthand how this problem manifests. Once you create several suites, you'll immediately see the problems with searching or distinguishing them. You'll quickly see the time it takes to manually find suites. It is a slow and painful process.

The Expected and Actual Behavior

To further clarify the issue, let's contrast the expected behavior with the actual behavior:

• Expected Behavior: The ideal scenario is that the dashboard should display or internally track folder names or relative paths for each test suite and test case. This would enable users to easily trace test artifacts back to their origin in the repository. Imagine seeing the folder path directly alongside the test suite name. This would provide instant context and drastically speed up the location of tests.
• Actual Behavior: In reality, folder names are ignored during dashboard rendering. This means there's no traceability between the UI entities (test suites and cases) and the source folder structures. The dashboard is essentially blind to your folder organization. This means that you are left in the dark about the origin of your tests, unless you investigate manually.

This discrepancy between what you expect and what you get is the core of the problem. It is a fundamental design flaw that makes your life much more difficult. This is the main reason why people ask the question: folder names have no significance or traceability in the dashboard. It is the main issue.

Proposed Solution: Adding Folder Paths as Metadata

Okay, so we've identified the problem, now what? Here's a straightforward resolution: Incorporate the folder path or suite origin as a metadata field in the dashboard views.

• Include Folder Path: The most effective solution is to display the complete folder path directly in the dashboard, alongside the test suite and test case names. This gives you instant visibility into the origin of each item. This would provide users with an immediate link between the dashboard and the underlying code structure, providing immediate access to the location of the test suites.
• Metadata Field: Alternatively, you could add the folder path as a metadata field that's visible when you select a suite or case. This way, the path is still easily accessible, but it doesn't clutter the main view. This keeps the dashboard clean while still providing the essential information needed to easily identify the test suites.

Implementing this solution would solve the problem. As soon as you add the feature, you will start saving time and effort. It will improve usability and navigation efficiency.

This is a simple, yet highly effective change that would drastically improve the usability and efficiency of the Qualityfolio dashboard. By adding folder path metadata, you're essentially creating a direct line of sight between your dashboard and your repository, making it easier to navigate, maintain, and understand your tests. So, let's get this fixed, and make everyone's testing life a little easier!