How to quickly test OutSystems UI changes using built-in previews or Live Style Guide?

Quickly Testing OutSystems UI Changes Using Built-in Previews or Live Style Guide

Efficient testing of UI changes in OutSystems is crucial to ensure that your application's user interface aligns with design expectations and functions as intended. This guide walks you through the step-by-step process to leverage OutSystems' built-in previews and Live Style Guide for quick UI validation.

Prerequisites

• Access to OutSystems, ideally the latest version for full feature utilization.
• A basic understanding of your application's UI architecture.
• Familiarity with the OutSystems Service Studio environment.

Introduction to the Built-in Preview and Live Style Guide

• Built-in Preview: Allows developers to visualize changes in real-time within the Service Studio before deploying them.
• Live Style Guide: A tool within OutSystems for developers to view and interact with different UI components and patterns, ensuring consistency and optimization.

Setting Up Your Environment for UI Testing

1. Open Your Project in OutSystems:

• Launch Service Studio and open the project that you want to test UI changes on.
• Navigate to the specific screen or module where changes are to be made.

1. Enable '1-Click Publish':

• Ensure that you have enabled the '1-Click Publish' feature for quick updates.
• This feature compiles and deploys your application on the OutSystems server efficiently, allowing you to test changes promptly.

Using the Built-in Preview in Service Studio

1. Edit the UI:

• Make the desired UI changes in your application module.
• Use Service Studio's WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor, ensuring you adjust styles, components, or layouts as necessary.

1. Access the Preview:

• Click on the 'Preview' button in Service Studio.
• A browser window will open, displaying the updated UI based on the latest module edits.
• Interact with the UI elements to ensure they are functioning and appearing as expected.

1. Iterate Based on Feedback:

• Use the preview links to gather feedback from stakeholders.
• Make adjustments as necessary in Service Studio for any discrepancies noted during the preview.

Leveraging the Live Style Guide

1. Open the Live Style Guide:

• Navigate to the 'Live Style Guide' option under your development environment in OutSystems.
• Load the style guide which includes pre-defined styles, patterns, and themes consistent with OutSystems standards.

1. Browse Available Components:

• Explore different UI patterns and components provided.
• Match your UI changes with the existing styles to ensure consistency.

1. Apply Styles Consistently:

• Using the style guide, apply consistent styles to your UI changes.
• Update styles via the shared components or themes offered by OutSystems for uniformity across your app.

1. Preview Consistency:

• Use the built-in preview again to ensure your applied styles are consistent with the OutSystems design framework.
• Make necessary CSS adjustments directly within the style guide, if discrepancies appear between components.

Testing and Validation

1. Interactive Testing:

• Utilize the preview mode to test your changes across common user flows in your application.
• Navigate through buttons, forms, and navigation links to verify the UI behavior.

1. Cross-Device Testing:

• If your application supports multiple devices, use the preview tool to simulate different devices like desktops, tablets, and mobiles.
• Ensure responsiveness and adaptability of your UI across devices.

1. Gathering Feedback and Iterations:

• Share the preview link with team members or stakeholders for feedback.
• Implement any additional feedback to refine the UI.

Finalizing and Publishing Your Changes

1. Apply Final Adjustments:

• After testing and reviewing feedback, make any final adjustments to your UI.
• Ensure all changes align with your application's design goals and user experience standards.

1. Final Publish:

• Use the '1-Click Publish' to finalize and deploy your changes to non-production or production environments as needed.
• Ensure a final review is performed post-deployment for any unforeseen issues.

1. Continuous Improvement:

• Continuously utilize built-in previews and Live Style Guide for ongoing development, ensuring efficiency and consistency in UI testing.

By following these steps, you can quickly and effectively test and refine UI changes in your OutSystems applications, leveraging the built-in tools for optimum performance and design fidelity.