User:DWalden (WMF)/WikiEditor/Insert link/20220315

Session Notes

I used the state diagram to explore the behaviour of the "Insert link" dialog.

For each transition or sequence of transitions in the diagram, consider why a user might do this and what they would want the outcome of their action to be.

Invalid syntax

Testing the transition when opening the "Insert link" dialog with wikitext already highlighted.

Consider a user who doesn't remember the valid syntax for wikitext, for example between internal vs. external links.

For example, they might write [[https://duckduckgo.com]] or [Foo].

You can highlight a selection of wikitext and open the "Insert link" dialog. A user might hope this will automatically correct their incorrect syntax.

It might also be a way to get around the normal validation logic of the dialog.

I used the list of different link syntax here https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Links.

Interrupts

I explored the behaviour of search when simulating a slow network and trying to interrupt it. Meh. Seemed robust enough.

Internal to External

Testing the transition between internal to external link.

Looping between the two radio buttons "To wiki page" and "To external web page".

Again, it might get around the usual validation logic.

Looks like internal

Testing the "Looks like internal" state.

I tested the transitions around the "Looks like internal" functionality. For example, can I use it to bypass the usual validation logic? Is the state correct if I go back to the dialog from here?