Superset: Option To Create Datasets Without Auto Chart Creation

by Alex Johnson 64 views

This article discusses a proposed feature enhancement for Superset that allows users to create datasets without automatically being redirected to the chart creation page. This enhancement aims to improve user experience by offering more flexibility in the dataset creation workflow. Let's dive into the details of this feature, its motivations, and expected behavior.

Motivation Behind the Enhancement

Currently, Superset's workflow automatically redirects users to the chart creation page immediately after creating a new dataset. While this approach works for users who intend to visualize data right away, it introduces friction for those who need to create datasets for other reasons. Often, users need to create datasets for organizational purposes, batch operations, or future use without the immediate intention of creating charts.

This automatic redirection can be cumbersome and adds unnecessary navigation steps. By providing an option to bypass the chart creation flow, users can streamline their workflow and manage datasets more efficiently. The core idea is to give users the flexibility to choose their next action after creating a dataset, thus making the tool more adaptable to diverse user needs.

Consider a scenario where a data analyst is setting up several datasets in advance for a future reporting project. The current workflow would force them to navigate away from the dataset list each time, only to return and repeat the process. This enhancement directly addresses this inefficiency, allowing for a smoother, more intuitive experience.

Moreover, this enhancement aligns with best practices in user interface design, which emphasize providing users with clear choices and minimizing unnecessary steps. By offering distinct options for dataset creation, Superset can cater to both immediate visualization needs and broader data management tasks. This improvement not only saves time but also reduces potential user frustration, making Superset a more user-friendly and powerful tool for data exploration and visualization.

Current Behavior in Superset

In the existing Superset setup, the process of creating a dataset invariably leads to an automatic redirection to the chart creation page. This behavior, while functional, lacks the flexibility needed for various use cases. Understanding the current behavior is crucial to appreciate the value of the proposed enhancement.

When a user navigates to the Add Dataset interface and selects a database and table, clicking the “Create” button triggers the automatic save and redirection. Specifically, the user is immediately taken to the /chart/add/?dataset={dataset_name} page, where they are prompted to start building a chart. This action leaves no room for users who might want to simply create the dataset and return to the dataset list or perform other management tasks.

Reproduction steps to observe this behavior are straightforward:

  1. Navigate to the Add Dataset page in Superset.
  2. Select a database and table to create a dataset.
  3. Click the “Create” button in the footer.
  4. Observe that you are automatically redirected to /chart/add/?dataset={dataset_name} (the chart creation page).
  5. Notice that there is no direct way to create a dataset and stay on the dataset management pages without first canceling out of chart creation.

This automatic redirection can be a significant inconvenience, particularly for users who handle multiple datasets or have specific organizational needs. The enhancement aims to address this by providing a clear choice after dataset creation, ensuring that users can tailor their workflow to their specific requirements. By understanding the current limitations, the importance of the proposed changes becomes evident, paving the way for a more efficient and user-centric data management experience within Superset.

Expected Behavior with the Enhancement

The proposed enhancement aims to provide users with greater control over their workflow by introducing a choice after dataset creation. Instead of automatically redirecting to the chart creation page, users will have the option to either proceed to chart creation or return to the dataset list. This simple yet powerful change can significantly improve the user experience and streamline data management tasks.

The core of the enhancement is to modify the “Create” button to offer two distinct options:

  1. Create the dataset and proceed to chart creation (maintaining the current default behavior).
  2. Create the dataset and return to the dataset list.

This dual option approach ensures that existing workflows are not disrupted while providing additional flexibility for users who prefer a different path. The interface will clearly present both options, making it intuitive for users to choose their desired action. The chart creation flow will remain the primary/default action to maintain backward compatibility and ensure that users who are accustomed to the current behavior can continue to work seamlessly.

The expected behavior after selecting the “Create dataset and return to the dataset list” option is straightforward: the user will be redirected to the dataset list page upon successful creation of the dataset. This direct path back to the dataset list allows users to manage multiple datasets more efficiently, perform batch operations, or simply organize their data without the interruption of an unnecessary redirection.

This enhanced functionality aligns with the principle of user-centric design, which emphasizes providing users with options that match their specific needs. By offering a choice in the post-creation action, Superset becomes more adaptable to different workflows, ultimately enhancing user satisfaction and productivity. The addition of this feature is a step towards making Superset an even more powerful and user-friendly data exploration and visualization tool.

Acceptance Criteria for the Enhancement

To ensure the successful implementation of the proposed enhancement, specific acceptance criteria have been defined. These criteria serve as a checklist to verify that the new functionality meets the intended goals and integrates seamlessly into the existing Superset environment. Meeting these criteria is crucial for a smooth rollout and a positive user experience.

The core acceptance criteria include:

  • The “Create” button should be converted into a dropdown button with multiple options. This is the primary interface change that enables users to choose their next action after creating a dataset.
  • The primary button action (clicking the main button area) should create the dataset and navigate to the chart creation page. This preserves the current default behavior and ensures backward compatibility.
  • The dropdown menu must include an option to create the dataset without navigating to chart creation. This is the key feature of the enhancement, providing users with the flexibility to return to the dataset list.
  • When the “create only” option is selected, the user should be redirected to the dataset list page after successful creation. This ensures the new workflow functions as intended.
  • All existing tests must pass, and new tests should cover both navigation paths. This is crucial for maintaining the stability and reliability of Superset.
  • The button should remain disabled when no table is selected or when the dataset already exists. This maintains the existing validation logic and prevents unintended actions.

These acceptance criteria provide a clear and measurable set of requirements for the development team. By adhering to these criteria, the enhancement will not only add valuable functionality but also ensure that the existing Superset environment remains robust and user-friendly. The emphasis on testing and validation is particularly important, as it helps to identify and resolve any potential issues before they impact users. The thorough adherence to these criteria will result in a seamless and effective enhancement to Superset's dataset creation workflow.

Verification Process

To ensure that the enhancement functions as expected and meets the defined acceptance criteria, a thorough verification process is essential. This process involves both manual testing and automated tests to cover all aspects of the new functionality. The verification process is critical for identifying any potential issues and ensuring a smooth user experience.

The primary method of verification is manual testing, which includes a series of steps designed to test the different scenarios and user interactions. The manual testing process consists of the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the Add Dataset page.
  2. Select a database and table.
  3. Verify that the “Create” button shows as a dropdown with an arrow indicator. This confirms that the interface has been updated correctly.
  4. Click the main button area and confirm navigation to the chart creation page. This tests the default behavior and ensures backward compatibility.
  5. Repeat steps 2-3, then click the dropdown arrow.
  6. Select “Create dataset only” from the dropdown menu.
  7. Verify that you are redirected to /tablemodelview/list/ (the dataset list page). This tests the new functionality of returning to the dataset list.
  8. Confirm that the dataset was created successfully in the dataset list. This ensures that the dataset creation process is functioning correctly.

In addition to manual testing, automated tests will be used to cover a broader range of scenarios and ensure long-term stability. These tests will include unit tests to verify the logic of the new code and integration tests to ensure that the new functionality interacts correctly with the existing Superset components.

By combining manual and automated testing, the verification process provides a comprehensive assessment of the enhancement. This rigorous testing approach ensures that the new functionality is robust, reliable, and meets the needs of Superset users.

Conclusion

The proposed enhancement to allow users to create datasets without automatically creating a chart in Superset is a valuable addition that aims to improve user experience and streamline data management workflows. By offering users the flexibility to choose their next action after dataset creation, Superset becomes more adaptable to diverse user needs and preferences. This enhancement not only addresses the limitations of the current workflow but also aligns with best practices in user interface design, emphasizing user control and efficiency.

The acceptance criteria and verification process outlined ensure that the enhancement is implemented correctly and functions as expected. The dual-option approach—allowing users to either proceed to chart creation or return to the dataset list—provides a balanced solution that preserves existing workflows while offering new flexibility.

By providing a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, this enhancement contributes to making Superset an even more powerful tool for data exploration and visualization. The ability to efficiently manage datasets without unnecessary redirections ultimately empowers users to focus on their core tasks, whether it’s creating visualizations, organizing data, or preparing for future analyses.

For more information on contributing to Superset and its features, you can visit the official Apache Superset website. This resource provides valuable insights into the project's goals, roadmap, and community involvement opportunities.

Apache Superset