Enhance OpenAPI Downloads: Add JSON & YAML Format Options

by SLV Team 58 views
Enhance OpenAPI Downloads: Add JSON & YAML Format Options

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving into an exciting feature enhancement for OpenAPI document downloads. This improvement will significantly streamline workflows for developers who work with OpenAPI specifications, making it easier than ever to grab the documents in the format they need. Let's break down the motivation, current limitations, and expected behavior, plus a few steps to test it out.

The Motivation Behind Format Selection

For those knee-deep in API development, you know that OpenAPI specifications are crucial. These specs define the structure and requirements of your APIs, acting as a contract between the client and the server. But, guys, sometimes you need that specification in JSON, and sometimes you need it in YAML. The tools you're using, your team's preferences – there are tons of reasons why you might want one format over the other. Currently, the API reference download functionality only coughs up the document in its original format. This can be a real pain because it forces you to use external tools to convert between formats. This adds extra steps and unnecessary friction to your workflow. Our goal is to eliminate this friction, making your life easier by allowing you to download the specification in your preferred format directly from the interface.

By offering format selection, we're not just adding a feature; we're boosting developer productivity and making the API reference more versatile. Think about it: no more hunting for online converters or wrestling with command-line tools. Just a simple download in the format you need. This enhancement makes our API reference more user-friendly and adaptable to various workflows.

Current Download Limitations

Let's talk about the current situation. Right now, the download button in the API reference is a bit of a one-trick pony. It only downloads the OpenAPI document in its original format. So, if the spec was provided in YAML, that's what you get. If it was in JSON, that's your only option. There's no choice, no indication of what format you're about to receive – it's a bit of a mystery until the download completes. This lack of flexibility can be frustrating, especially when you need the document in a specific format for your tooling or processes. Imagine needing a JSON version for a particular tool but only having the YAML original. You'd have to jump through hoops to get the format you need, adding extra time and effort to your task.

To illustrate this, here’s a simple reproduction scenario:

  1. Open an API reference page with an OpenAPI specification.
  2. Find the "Download OpenAPI Document" button.
  3. Click the button.
  4. Observe: The document downloads in only one format – the original.

This limitation is what we're tackling head-on with this feature enhancement. We want to empower you to choose the format that best suits your needs, eliminating the hassle of manual conversions.

Expected Behavior: Format Freedom!

Okay, guys, here’s where things get exciting! We're aiming for a future where you have complete control over the download format. The expected behavior is that you should be able to download the OpenAPI specification in either JSON or YAML format, no matter what the original format was. This means ultimate flexibility and convenience for you. We envision a clear interface that presents both format options, allowing you to choose the one you prefer with a simple click. Think of the possibilities! You could grab a JSON version for one tool and a YAML version for another, all without leaving the API reference page. This is all about streamlining your workflow and giving you the tools you need to succeed.

To make sure we're hitting the mark, we've defined some acceptance criteria. These are the key things we'll be looking for to ensure the feature is working as expected:

  • [ ] Two separate download buttons are displayed, one for JSON and one for YAML format.
  • [ ] Each download button clearly indicates the format (JSON or YAML) with a badge or label.
  • [ ] Clicking the JSON button downloads the specification in JSON format, even if the original was YAML.
  • [ ] Clicking the YAML button downloads the specification in YAML format, even if the original was JSON.
  • [ ] The downloaded files have the correct file extension (.json or .yaml) based on the selected format.
  • [ ] Unit tests verify the format conversion and download functionality for both formats.

Steps to Test: Put It Through Its Paces

Alright, testers, listen up! We need your help to make sure this feature is rock solid. Here’s a detailed guide on how to test the new format selection for OpenAPI document downloads. Follow these steps carefully to ensure we've covered all the bases. Your feedback is crucial in making this enhancement the best it can be.

  1. Open an API reference page with a YAML OpenAPI specification. This is our starting point for testing the conversion from YAML to JSON.
  2. Click the "Download OpenAPI Document (json)" button. This action should trigger the download of the specification in JSON format.
  3. Verify the downloaded file has a .json extension and contains valid JSON. This step confirms that the conversion was successful and the file is in the correct format.
  4. Click the "Download OpenAPI Document (yaml)" button. This ensures that the YAML download option works correctly when the original is also YAML.
  5. Verify the downloaded file has a .yaml extension and contains valid YAML. This confirms that the download function works as expected for the original format.
  6. Repeat steps 1-5 with a JSON OpenAPI specification as the source. This is crucial for testing the conversion from JSON to YAML and ensuring consistency.
  7. Run the test suite and verify all download-related tests pass. This step provides automated validation of the functionality and helps catch any regressions.
  8. Verify the visual styling shows both buttons clearly with format badges. This ensures that the user interface is intuitive and the format options are easily distinguishable.
  9. Test that hover effects and focus states work correctly on both buttons. This step focuses on the user experience and accessibility of the feature.

By following these steps, you'll help us ensure that the format selection feature is working flawlessly and provides a seamless experience for all users.

Visual Styling and User Interface Considerations

Beyond the functionality, we also want to ensure the user interface is clear and intuitive. The download buttons should be visually distinct, with clear indications of the format they offer. Think badges or labels that prominently display "JSON" or "YAML." This helps avoid any confusion and makes it easy for users to select the correct format at a glance. We'll also be paying close attention to hover effects and focus states, ensuring that the buttons are accessible and responsive. A well-designed user interface is just as important as the functionality itself, and we're committed to making this feature both powerful and user-friendly.

Unit Tests: Ensuring Reliability

Behind the scenes, we're building a robust suite of unit tests to guarantee the reliability of the format conversion and download functionality. These tests will cover various scenarios, including:

  • Conversion from YAML to JSON: Verifying that YAML specifications are correctly converted to JSON format.
  • Conversion from JSON to YAML: Ensuring that JSON specifications are accurately converted to YAML format.
  • File extension verification: Confirming that downloaded files have the correct .json or .yaml extension.
  • Valid format output: Checking that the downloaded content is valid JSON or YAML.

These tests will be run automatically as part of our build process, providing continuous feedback and helping us catch any issues early on. This commitment to testing ensures that the format selection feature remains stable and reliable over time.

Submission Guidelines

For those contributing to this feature, we encourage you to record your screen while testing and submit it along with your feedback. This helps us visualize the testing process and understand any issues you might encounter. We recommend using https://cap.so/ to record your screen in Studio mode and export it as an MP4 file. You can then easily drag and drop the video into an issue comment below.

Additionally, please familiarize yourself with our pull request submission guidelines, which can be found here: https://hackmd.io/@timothy1ee/Hky8kV3hlx. These guidelines provide valuable information on how to submit your code contributions effectively.

Conclusion: A Step Forward for API Development

This enhancement to the OpenAPI document download functionality is a significant step forward in making API development easier and more efficient. By providing users with the flexibility to download specifications in their preferred format, we're streamlining workflows and empowering developers to focus on what they do best: building great APIs. We're excited about the positive impact this feature will have and look forward to your feedback and contributions!

So, guys, let's get testing and make this feature shine! Your input is invaluable in ensuring we deliver a top-notch experience for everyone. Thanks for being a part of this journey!

Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Happy coding!