Fix: Copy Link To Clipboard Fails In Superset SQL Lab

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Issue #13 - [BUG] Copy link to clipboard fails when opening saved query in SQL Lab

Hey everyone! Let's dive into a tricky bug we've been wrestling with in Superset's SQL Lab. This issue revolves around copying the link to a saved query. It sounds simple, but the devil's in the details.

Current Behavior

So, here's the deal: When you, as a user, try to open a saved query in SQL Lab, Superset attempts to be helpful by copying the query link to your clipboard. That's the intention, at least. But here's where things go sideways. The application is a bit too eager and redirects you to the SQL Lab page almost immediately. Because copying to the clipboard is an asynchronous operation (fancy talk for "it takes a little bit of time"), the copy often fails to complete before the page is already moving on. The result? You get no link, no feedback, and a whole lot of frustration.

Think of it like this: You're trying to grab your coffee before rushing out the door, but the door slams shut before you can get a good grip on the mug. Messy, right? Same principle here.

Here’s how to reproduce the problem:

  1. First, go to your Saved Queries list page in Superset.
  2. Next, click on any saved query to open it in SQL Lab. You can do this in the same window or a new one – doesn't matter.
  3. Now, try to paste the contents of your clipboard into, say, a text editor or an email.
  4. Observe: More often than not, you'll find that your clipboard contains something old or is just plain empty. The copy operation? Never completed. And Superset? Silent as a ninja – no error message, no success message, nada.

The Nitty-Gritty

The main culprit here is the asynchronous nature of the clipboard API combined with the immediate page navigation. The browser doesn't wait for the copy operation to finish before it starts loading the SQL Lab page. It's like trying to perform two actions at once, and one of them gets cut short.

Why is this a problem?

  • User Experience: It's confusing and frustrating for users when they expect a link to be copied but nothing happens. Especially without any feedback.
  • Lost Productivity: Users might need to manually copy the link, which takes extra time and effort.
  • Potential for Errors: Manually copying links can lead to mistakes, especially with long or complex URLs.

Expected Behavior

Alright, enough about the problem. Let's talk solutions! What should happen when you open a saved query in SQL Lab?

Ideally, Superset should be a bit more patient. It should first copy the query link to the clipboard and wait for that operation to finish before doing anything else. And, crucially, it should give you, the user, some feedback about whether the copy was successful or not.

Think of it like this: Superset should make sure you've got that coffee firmly in hand before it opens the door and ushers you out.

Here’s the ideal flow:

  1. Copy the query link to the clipboard.
  2. Wait for the copy operation to complete.
  3. If the copy is successful, display a nice, friendly toast notification that says "Link Copied!".
  4. Only then navigate to the SQL Lab page.
  5. If the copy fails (maybe because of browser permissions or some other issue), display an error message so the user knows what's up.

Why is this better?

  • Reliability: The link is actually copied to the clipboard before anything else happens.
  • Feedback: You get clear confirmation that the copy was successful (or an error message if it wasn't).
  • Smooth User Experience: Everything feels more polished and professional.

Acceptance Criteria

To make sure we've nailed this fix, here's what we need to see:

  • [ ] Successful Copy: The link to the saved query is successfully copied to the clipboard before any navigation happens.
  • [ ] Success Notification: A success toast notification pops up, proudly displaying "Link Copied!" when the clipboard operation succeeds.
  • [ ] Delayed Navigation: The navigation to SQL Lab (whether it's in the same window or a new one) only happens after the clipboard operation is done.
  • [ ] Universal Functionality: This all needs to work correctly whether you're opening the query in the same window or a brand-new one.

Steps To Test

Alright, testers, listen up! Here's how you can put this fix through its paces:

  1. Navigate: Head over to the Saved Queries list page in Superset.
  2. Click: Click on a saved query to open it in SQL Lab.
  3. Verify Notification: Keep your eyes peeled for a toast notification that says "Link Copied!". If you see it, that's a good sign!
  4. Paste Test: Open up your favorite text editor (Notepad, VS Code, whatever floats your boat) or another application where you can paste text. Paste from the clipboard.
  5. Confirm URL: Double-check that the pasted content is a valid URL. It should look something like this: {origin}/sqllab?savedQueryId={id}. The {origin} part will be your Superset's base URL, and the {id} will be the ID of the saved query.
  6. New Window Test: If you're feeling adventurous, try opening a query in a new window and repeat the steps above. Make sure the clipboard behavior is the same.
  7. Restricted Access Test: Now, this one's a bit trickier, but if you can, try testing in a browser or environment where clipboard access is restricted (some security settings can cause this). In this case, you should see an error toast notification, letting you know that the copy operation failed.

Breaking it Down

  • Successful Copy: Did the link actually make it to the clipboard?
  • Correct URL: Is the URL in the correct format?
  • Feedback: Does the user get a notification, either success or failure?
  • New Window: Does it work the same in a new window?
  • Error Handling: Does it handle restricted clipboard access gracefully?

Submission

Once you've thoroughly tested the fix, record your screen using a tool like https://cap.so/ (use Studio mode). Export the recording as an MP4 file and drag and drop it into an issue comment below. This will help us see exactly what you saw during testing.

And if you're interested in submitting pull requests (which we highly encourage!), check out this guide: https://hackmd.io/@timothy1ee/Hky8kV3hlx

Let's get this bug squashed and make Superset even better! Happy testing, folks! This is a tricky one, but with careful testing, we can get it sorted. Thanks for your help!

In summary, the key points to remember are:

  • The copy operation should happen before navigation.
  • The user needs to get feedback (success or failure).
  • It needs to work in both the same window and a new window.
  • We need to handle cases where clipboard access is restricted.

By focusing on these points, we can ensure that the fix is robust and provides a much-improved user experience. Let's work together to make Superset the best it can be! Cheers!