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stack-571 Release Notes

Summary: stack-571 Release Notes

This release focuses on significant improvements to the Synapse user experience, particularly for data curators and mobile users. We've introduced new features that enhance data management, streamline workflows, and improve the overall usability of the Synapse platform. Key updates include a major refactor of the Curator Grid for better performance and functionality, better error reporting, and mobile display optimizations. This work was prioritized to address critical user feedback, improve data integrity, and ensure a more intuitive and efficient experience for all users.

Impact: This release will primarily benefit data curators, researchers interacting with data grids, and mobile users of the Synapse platform. Backend system stability and developer workflows are also improved.

Tickets Completed: 17

Affected Users & Systems

  • Data Curators: Will experience improved functionality, performance, and validation within the Curator Grid.

  • Synapse Users (Mobile): Will see a cleaner, more readable interface on mobile devices.

  • All Synapse Users: Will benefit from improved error reporting for 500 errors and potential enhancements to search suggestions.

  • Synapse Backend Systems: Includes updates to the GridBot agent and search indexing.

  • Synapse Developers: Build processes will be cleaner due to resolved deprecation warnings.

Deprecated or Breaking Changes

  • The old Jira issue collector for 500 errors has been removed. Users will now be directed to the Synapse Service Desk for reporting issues. (SWC-7598)

New Features

Enhanced Data Curation and Grid Functionality

  • Curator Grid Performance and Features (SWC-7570, SWC-7531): The Curator Grid has undergone a significant refactor to use a dynamic data sheet grid component. This change lays the groundwork for future enhancements like column resizing, sorting, and sticking. Additionally, the grid will now display data more quickly, showing content as soon as enough information is loaded, rather than waiting for all data patches.

  • Improved Conditional Field Highlighting (SWC-7584): Conditionally required fields in the grid are now properly highlighted when they are missing, helping curators identify and correct data entry issues more easily.

  • Read-Only System Properties (SWC-7491): System properties such as `id` and `name` in the Curator Grid are now read-only, preventing accidental modifications and ensuring data integrity.

  • Grid UI for Boolean Values (SWC-7447): Enhancements have been made to how boolean values are displayed in the grid, aiming for clearer representation and interaction.

Improved User Experience

  • Mobile UI Optimizations (SWC-7602): On mobile devices, the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing banner is now hidden, and alert font sizes have been reduced for a cleaner, less cluttered view. The child addendum on the cookie banner is also hidden on mobile.

  • Streamlined Error Reporting (SWC-7598): For 500 errors, the platform now provides a direct link for users to submit a report to the Synapse Service Desk, replacing the defunct Jira issue collector.

  • New Search Suggestion API (PLFM-9331): A new API endpoint for search suggestions has been implemented, which will enable "Did you mean?" suggestions in search results.

Fixes & Improvements

Curator Grid Fixes

  • "View Schema" Includes Sort Facet Values (SWC-7592): The "Show View Schema" functionality for file views now correctly displays the "Sort Facet Values" column.

  • Dropdown Button Behavior (SWC-7582): Fixed an issue where dropdown buttons would retract immediately upon clicking, improving usability.

  • Date/Time Field Formatting (SWC-7555): Date and time fields in the Grid are now correctly formatted as dates instead of integers.

  • Permissions Error Handling (SWC-7567): The grid now properly displays a permission error message instead of an infinite spinner when a user lacks access to a recordset or fileview.

  • Certification Check for Grid Edits (SWC-7566): Uncertified users attempting to edit annotations in the Curator Grid will now be informed upfront that certification is required, preventing wasted effort. The "working copy" link is disabled, and a "Get Certified" link is provided.

Backend and System Improvements

  • GridBot Upgrade (PLFM-9332): The GridBot agent has been upgraded to use Sonnet 4.5, enhancing its capabilities.

  • Agent API Call Mismatch (PLFM-9355): Resolved an issue causing frequent JSON parsing errors when the grid agent interacts with the Synapse API, improving agent reliability.

  • Build Deprecation Warning (SWC-7591): Fixed a deprecation warning in the `_cards.scss` file, cleaning up the console during builds.

  • Search Index Worker Stability (PLFM-9173): Addressed an unstable test in the SearchIndexWorkerIntegrationTest, improving system reliability.