Implement Temporary Seat Blocking Functionality

Hey guys! Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of implementing a temporary seat blocking functionality. This feature is super crucial for enhancing user experience, especially when users are in the process of making selections but haven't finalized their purchase. Imagine selecting your seats for a movie or a flight – you wouldn't want someone snatching them away while you're filling in your details, right? That's where temporary seat blocking comes in, and we’re going to explore how to make it happen.

Understanding the Need for Temporary Seat Blocking

When we talk about temporary seat blocking, we're essentially referring to a mechanism that reserves selected seats for a short period. This is incredibly important in scenarios like ticket bookings, reservations, or any system where seats or slots are limited. The core idea is to prevent conflicts where multiple users might attempt to book the same seat simultaneously. This is especially important for things like a backend service that processes these requests.

Think about it from a user's perspective. You've spent time browsing available options, finally found the perfect seats, and are now entering your payment information. Suddenly, you get an error saying those seats are no longer available. Frustrating, isn't it? Temporary seat blocking solves this issue by giving users a brief window to complete their transaction without the fear of losing their selection. This not only enhances user satisfaction but also streamlines the booking process.

The main goal here is to ensure a smooth and fair experience for everyone. By implementing this feature, we're creating a more reliable and user-friendly system. This involves handling various aspects, from the initial seat selection to the final purchase confirmation. We need to consider how long the seats should be blocked, how to handle scenarios where users abandon their booking, and how to manage conflicts if they arise. All of these considerations play a crucial role in the overall effectiveness of the system. Let's break down the key requirements and criteria for acceptance to ensure we're on the right track.

Key Requirements for Seat Blocking

So, what exactly do we need to make this temporary seat blocking a reality? There are several key requirements that we need to nail down. Let's go through them one by one:

1. Backend Seat Blocking Service

First and foremost, we need to implement a seat blocking service on the backend. This is the heart of our operation. This service will be responsible for managing the state of the seats, tracking which seats are blocked, and for how long. It needs to be robust and efficient to handle a large number of requests without slowing down the system. This service will act as the single source of truth for seat availability, ensuring that all other parts of the system can rely on its data. The backend service needs to be scalable, reliable, and secure to handle the load and protect against potential issues.

2. Proxy Consumption of Blocking Endpoint

Next up, we need to make sure our system can consume the blocking endpoint through a proxy. Using a proxy adds a layer of security and control, allowing us to manage traffic and protect our backend service. The proxy will act as an intermediary between the user-facing part of our application and the backend service, filtering requests and preventing direct access to sensitive resources. This is a crucial step in ensuring the security and stability of our system. The proxy also enables us to implement additional features like rate limiting and caching, which can further improve performance and reliability. By routing requests through a proxy, we can better control access to our seat blocking service and protect it from abuse.

3. Sending Blocking Requests to the Cátedra Service

We also need to ensure that our system can send blocking requests to the Cátedra service. This means communicating with an external service to actually block the seats. This external service might have its own set of rules and requirements, so we need to make sure our system can adapt and interact smoothly. This involves understanding the API of the Cátedra service, sending the right requests, and handling the responses correctly. We need to ensure that our system can handle various scenarios, including successful blocking, failed blocking, and error conditions. This integration is critical for the functionality of the seat blocking system, as it is the component that interacts with the external service responsible for managing seat availability.

4. Handling Blocking Responses

Handling responses from the blocking service is a biggie. We need to gracefully manage both successful and failed blocking attempts. If a seat is successfully blocked, we need to update our system's state and inform the user. If the blocking fails (maybe the seat was already taken), we need to inform the user and give them options to choose another seat. This requires careful error handling and clear communication with the user. A well-designed system will provide informative error messages and guide the user towards a resolution, such as selecting a different seat or trying again later. Proper error handling is crucial for maintaining a positive user experience, even in the face of unexpected issues.

5. Pre-Sale Availability Verification

Before we even get to the blocking stage, we need to implement a verification of availability before the sale. This means checking if the seat is actually available before allowing the user to proceed. This step can save a lot of headaches down the line, preventing situations where a user selects a seat that is already taken. This pre-check ensures that the seat is truly available at the moment the user is attempting to reserve it. This can be implemented by querying the seat blocking service to check the current status of the seat. This verification step adds an extra layer of protection against conflicts and ensures a smoother booking process.

6. Managing Occupied or Blocked Seats

And of course, we need to handle cases where seats are already occupied or blocked. This is a common scenario, especially in high-demand situations. Our system needs to be able to detect these situations and inform the user appropriately. This might involve displaying a message that the seat is unavailable or suggesting alternative seats. The system should also handle situations where a seat is temporarily blocked but the user doesn't complete the transaction, freeing the seat up for others. Effective management of occupied and blocked seats is crucial for maintaining a fair and efficient booking system.

Acceptance Criteria: Making Sure It Works

Now, how do we know if we've actually nailed it? We need some clear acceptance criteria to ensure our seat blocking functionality is up to snuff. Here are the key things we need to check:

1. Successful Seat Blocking

First off, seats should be blocked correctly in the Cátedra service. This is the most fundamental requirement. We need to verify that when a user selects a seat and proceeds to the next step, the seat is actually blocked in the external service. This involves checking the state of the seat in the Cátedra service and confirming that it is marked as blocked. This can be done by querying the service's API or by using other monitoring tools. Successful seat blocking is the core functionality of the system, and it must be reliable and consistent.

2. Temporary Block Duration

Next, the temporary block should last for 5 minutes. This time window gives users enough time to complete their transaction without unnecessarily holding up seats. We need to ensure that the block is automatically released after 5 minutes if the user doesn't complete the purchase. This can be achieved by setting a timer when the seat is blocked and automatically releasing the seat when the timer expires. The duration of the block should be configurable, allowing us to adjust it based on usage patterns and user feedback. This temporary nature of the block is crucial for ensuring that seats are not held indefinitely and that other users have a fair chance to book them.

3. Handling Occupied or Blocked Seats Correctly

We also need to make sure we're handling already occupied or blocked seats correctly. If a user tries to select a seat that's already taken, they should receive a clear and informative message. The system should not allow the user to proceed with the booking if the seat is unavailable. This involves checking the status of the seat before allowing the user to select it and displaying an appropriate message if it is not available. The error message should be user-friendly and provide guidance on how to resolve the issue, such as selecting a different seat. Proper handling of occupied or blocked seats is essential for maintaining a smooth and frustration-free user experience.

4. Pre-Sale Availability Verification

Our pre-sale availability verification needs to work like a charm. Before a user even gets to the blocking stage, we need to double-check that the seat is still available. This adds an extra layer of protection against conflicts. This involves querying the seat blocking service to check the current status of the seat before allowing the user to proceed. This verification step ensures that the seat is truly available at the moment the user is attempting to reserve it. This can prevent situations where a user spends time filling in their details only to find out that the seat is no longer available. The pre-sale availability verification is a critical component of the system, ensuring that users are only presented with seats that are actually available.

5. Proper Error Handling

Finally, errors should be handled appropriately. No system is perfect, and things can go wrong. We need to make sure that our system can gracefully handle errors and provide helpful feedback to the user. This includes handling network errors, service outages, and unexpected responses from the Cátedra service. The system should display informative error messages and guide the user towards a resolution, such as trying again later or contacting support. Proper error handling is crucial for maintaining a positive user experience, even in the face of unexpected issues. This also involves logging errors for debugging and monitoring purposes, allowing us to identify and address any issues that may arise.

Final Thoughts

Implementing temporary seat blocking is a game-changer for user experience. By following these requirements and acceptance criteria, we can build a robust and reliable system that keeps everyone happy. Remember, it's all about creating a seamless and fair booking process. So, let's get coding and make it happen!