[$500] Document reproducible steps for "Characters missing when typing message in compose box"

[mallenexpensify]

Coming from here in #expensify-open-source

Occasionally and apparently randomly, when typing in the compose box on NewDot, characters will disappear or be removed.

I've tried to document steps that can be reliably reproduced with no luck. If you're able to, post them and we'll compensate $250.

If needed, comment in here or on the linked Slack thread above.

Upwork Automation - Do Not Edit

• Upwork Job URL: https://www.upwork.com/jobs/~01cd323eccdbb4d53d
• Upwork Job ID: 1745951741787557888
• Last Price Increase: 2024-02-29

[melvin-bot]

Current assignee @mallenexpensify is eligible for the Bug assigner, not assigning anyone new.

[melvin-bot]

Job added to Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/jobs/~01cd323eccdbb4d53d

[melvin-bot]

Triggered auto assignment to Contributor-plus team member for initial proposal review - @getusha (External)

[mallenexpensify]

@getusha I don't think your help is needed her so I've unassigned. If we need a C+ I'll add you back in.

[wildan-m]

@mallenexpensify which platform was the last time it occurred? can you forward the mentioned Slack post to #expensify-open-source ? or cite the important info here

[Ahmed-Abdella]

Hi, @mallenexpensify

I've identified the steps to replicate a bug related to keystrokes in the composer, happens when attempting to type while the composer is not focused. In the initial video, I attempted to type the word 'fight,' but it omitted the 'i' letter. This issue is not limited to a particular letter; it occurred for me with the second letter as well. It appears to be a bug associated with typing when the composer is not in focus."

1. Lose focus on the composer
2. Try typing fast and notice
3. you need to type fast

Screen.Recording.2024-01-13.at.3.44.30.AM.mov

Another issue related to this and I think it has the same root cause

steps to reproduce

1. Lose focus on the composer
2. write only one letter

result
the letter will appear twice.
and if you noticed immediately after typing the letter it appears twice for a moment then disappear and then it appears twice

Screen.Recording.2024-01-13.at.3.45.15.AM.mov

[wildan-m]

Here is my reproduction step. No need to type fast.

One

1. Open report, and make sure the composer is focused and the text pointer blinking
2. Press Tab, the focus will be on the emoji icon
3. Type any character e.g. P

Two

1. Open report, and make sure the composer is focused and the text pointer blinking
2. Press Tab twice, the focus will be on the arrow icon
3. Type any character e.g. P

Screen.Recording.2024-01-13.at.09.17.14.mov

[Ahmed-Abdella]

this is the second issue in my comment and I didn't say you have to type fast in this
you don't have to press tab you just lose the focus on the composer by doing this. you did the same as my second issue

[wildan-m]

@Ahmed-Abdella you didn't specify to which component the focus should be lost, I specified using the tab key and to emoji icon or arrow icon, I think that can be considered different

[Ahmed-Abdella]

Sorry @wildan-m but it is not specific to any component it just happened when you type while the compose is not focused. emoji icon and arrow icon have nothing to do here. and they are not different.

[bernhardoj]

FYI, the double character input is being handled here

[mallenexpensify]

which platform was the last time it occurred?

I'm on Desktop, Mac app. I'm unsure if it happens on web, I'll try to use that more to test. Just did two tests on web with no luck (which isn't surprising because it's really hard for me to reproduce on desktop)

@Ahmed-Abdella , the issue you're running into is different. That's this GH issue coming from this Slack thread
That's a big pet peeve of mine, especially using chat switcher.

@wildan-m the issue we're wanting repro steps here for is specially for characters not being recognized when typing in the compose box (and not just at the very beginning of a chat). I haven't encountered the bug when using emoji or tabbing while in typing.

[Ahmed-Abdella]

the issue you're running into is different. That's #31286 coming from this Slack thread
That's a big pet peeve of mine, especially using chat switcher.

@mallenexpensify The issue you mentioned here is not the same as mine, The keystrokes are actually recorded and typed, but there is a delay in the process.

My issue is that keystrokes are not being recorded or typed. ( characters missing ) like the issue you descriped.
And this happens just when start typing while the composer is not focused.
And this didn't happen in the issue you mentioned, the delay happens even the composer is focused

[mallenexpensify]

@Ahmed-Abdella can you elaborate on 'composer is not focused'?

I just had it happen... twice!

One hunch I have is that it happens more frequently after waking up your computer from sleeping, especially if the lid has been closed (I'm convinced there is a difference between putting your computer to sleep and closing the lid).

[Ahmed-Abdella]

@mallenexpensify just click outside the composer, and then start typing.
'composer is not focused' means that the composer doesn't have the green border, just click outside the composer, and start typing. like my first video above

This app feature shifts the focus to the composer when typing while the composer is not focused.

[wildan-m]

Agree that the lost focus issue might be the same with #33710

[melvin-bot]

📣 It's been a week! Do we have any satisfactory proposals yet? Do we need to adjust the bounty for this issue? 💸

[getusha]

@wildan-m it is delay 1 works well i don't see the need to modify the code to reproduce.

[wildan-m]

@getusha I mean this part

[getusha]

oh thanks, i didn't notice that.

[melvin-bot]

📣 It's been a week! Do we have any satisfactory proposals yet? Do we need to adjust the bounty for this issue? 💸

[mallenexpensify]

Me again!! Desktop is the worst it's ever been so I closed it and was testing on Web/Chrome. I was unable to reproduce on web, which makes me wonder if part of the issue is related to cache/cookies/storage or similar (not an engineer!).

Based on the above, I sent into our new Troubleshooting feature, I cleared cache and restarted and it's much better. I wasn't able to reproduce the missing characters... yet. Will report back if/when I'm able to.

[mallenexpensify]

Headsup if you decide to Clear cache and restart, you need to sign out/in after or else the app will be bricked (reported in #expensify-bugs)

[wildan-m]

@mallenexpensify have you tried reproducing it using a script? It can be difficult to manually hit the debounce interval accurately. I suggest adapting the script to your desired text and then using online tools like text-compare to compare the original and actual text. For example:

on run
	set textToType to "   In a world where gravity seems to defy its own rules, where the laws of physics bend and twist, our daring adventurer embarks on a journey filled with uncertainty. Armed with courage and a relentless spirit, the fearless explorer takes a leap of faith, uttering the word 'JUMP' with each bound. The echoing sound of determination reverberates through the vast expanse, as the quest unfolds into an epic tale of leaps, twists, and unforeseen challenges. Brace yourself for an adventure like no other, where each keystroke marks a moment in the extraordinary saga of boundless exploration."
	emulateTyping(textToType)
end run

on emulateTyping(textToType)
	tell application "System Events"
		repeat with i from 1 to count of characters of textToType
			set currentChar to character i of textToType
			keystroke currentChar
			delay 1
		end repeat
	end tell
end emulateTyping
 

Here is my result after trim the text (latest staging, google chrome, public room):

[mallenexpensify]

I have not @wildan-m , @getusha can you give it a shot?

[wildan-m]

@mallenexpensify I believe @getusha has validated the reproduction steps here. Right?

[getusha]

@mallenexpensify was able to repro after clear cache & restart, are you still unable to reproduce it?

[mallenexpensify]

@wildan-m , thanks, it does look like those are the repro steps. @tgolen , can you take a look since you're well-versed in the bug (and I'm not an engineer?

Ideally, I'm thinking:

1. Confirm we have reliable reproduction steps
2. Create a new issue with the steps, don't add the Help Wanted label, cross post here asking y'all to submit proposals in 48 hours before opening it up to others
3. Discuss compensation for this issue.
4. Pay then Close this issue
5. Bug gets fixed in other issue 🎉

[mallenexpensify]

@rinej @allroundexperts (and others)
Do you think this issue is related to this one you worked on?

• [$1500] Android - Text input in the compose box disappears/reappears erratically when typing a message immediately after launching the app  #28562

[tgolen]

Yes, I think the reproduction has been identified really well. I like your plan of action to move forward.

[mallenexpensify]

New issue created if you'd like to submit a proposal, price is $500

• [HOLD for payment 2024-04-15] [$500] Characters missing when typing message in compose box #37356

I propose we pay @getusha $500 for C+
@getusha , can you propose what you think is fair payment for the contributor/s here? Thx.

[getusha]

@wildan-m - 75%, first provided working reproduction steps, which we then followed.
@jeremy-croff - 25% provided working alternative reproduction steps #34467 (comment), which can be helpful latter.

@mallenexpensify i think this is fair, lmk what you think

[melvin-bot]

📣 It's been a week! Do we have any satisfactory proposals yet? Do we need to adjust the bounty for this issue? 💸

[mallenexpensify]

Thanks @getusha , I like the breakdown and the two ❤️ from the contributors make me think they're 👍 with it too.
@wildan-m , @jeremy-croff can you please apply here and I'll hire you?
https://www.upwork.com/jobs/~01cd323eccdbb4d53d

Personally.. I'd like to thank everyone here. This issue has been hella frustrating for me for many weeks. Also, I'm planning to implement a process for how to create 'document reproducible steps' issues in the future, since we have quite a few.

[wildan-m]

@mallenexpensify applied. Thank you!

[mallenexpensify]

Thanks @wildan-m and @jeremy-croff , can you please accept the job and reply here once you have?
upwork.com/jobs/~01cd323eccdbb4d53d

[jeremy-croff]

Thanks @wildan-m and @jeremy-croff , can you please accept the job and reply here once you have?

upwork.com/jobs/~01cd323eccdbb4d53d

I also applied yesterday! Thanks

[wildan-m]

@mallenexpensify accepted the offer. Thanks

[mallenexpensify]

Contributor: @wildan-m paid $375 via Upwork
Contributor: @jeremy-croff paid $125 via Upwork
Contributor+: @getusha paid $500 via Upwork.

@getusha can you please accept the job and reply here once you have?
https://www.upwork.com/jobs/~01cd323eccdbb4d53d

[getusha]

@getusha can you please accept the job and reply here once you have?

@mallenexpensify accepted

[mallenexpensify]

@getusha paid, payment breakdown above is updated.

Thanks everyone!!! I particularly hate this bug, and it just happened to me two mins ago.