Consider saving the code for labs

[jdwilkin4]

A camper recently posted in the forum about their solutions for labs not being saved.

https://forum.freecodecamp.org/t/code-disappeared-from-full-stack-curriculum/727188

I do think this is something that should be discussed and considered on saving the solutions for labs so campers can go back to.

Or

Maybe there should be a warning message before the camper goes to the next challenge.
The current modal does ask you if you want to download your solution.
But if the solutions aren't going to be saved, then we should consider a warning that if they don't save their solution it will be lost.

[a2937]

We should save it. Though the details of saving are still a little fuzzy. I think we should be able to add the challenge type into the saveable projects list.

[Dario-DC]

They should be able to save their code, but they should be able to reset to the seed code as well.

If it's not possible to reset the code to the seed and only to revert it to saved code, it can be a problem for labs that provide the HTML, CSS or part of the JS.

[majestic-owl448]

I don't think it should be saved to database, it would bring back an old issue with database occupation, but it should allow for saving locally, and maybe downloading, or prompting of saving for example in github

[moT01]

I would lean towards not saving the solutions to the database as well - but am open for discussing.

The current UX is that you can save your code to local storage with ctrl+s - that isn't described anywhere however - and after you pass and submit a challenge, your saved code in local storage gets deleted.

We think we could add the "save" button to the labs so people can see that their code can be saved - and probably a warning on the completion modal that their saved code will be deleted. Maybe just a little text above the "Download my solution" button - "Your code will not be saved"

[jdwilkin4]

Now that we have moved the FSD cert to the top of the page, we are getting two type of reports about labs.

Report No1

The camper has completed a lab, moved onto the other portions of the course, wants to revisit the lab and is surprised that their code is gone.

Examples:

https://forum.freecodecamp.org/t/full-stack-developer/739994

Report No.2

The camper is currently going through a lab, needs to take a break or accidentally navigates to a different page and all of their progress is lost. As campers go through the curriculum, it is not unreasonable that they will want to take breaks and not do the more challenging labs all in one setting.

https://forum.freecodecamp.org/t/lost-code-while-building-tribute-page/739998

We do have this message when you try to logout

So maybe the wording needs to be updated to specifically mention that labs won't be saved. Because your progress is saved like for workshops and completion of quizzes and stuff.

[moT01]

So the first step here would be to add the save button to the labs - which saves to local storage. Which you can already do with ctrl+s, but the button will help.

I think that's enough to start, but we should discuss rewording some things in the completion modal and that sign out modal after.

[mdmillerdev]

Is there potential to add a load save or upload button?

Currently, users download the file but must manually select the section for each language and copy paste it back into the respective spot in the browser, which can get annoying and could cause someone to become demotivated to continue learning if it means that they have to do extra work before they even begin.

If we added an upload button in addition tot he save button it would make the process close to as seamless as it could be using a .txt file stored anywhere. The user would still have to select the file though.

[1Dedios]

It looks like this was changed to help wanted and no one is assigned - I'd be happy to work on this if assigned.

[majestic-owl448]

hi @1Dedios We typically do not assign issues. Instead, we accept the first pull request that comprehensively solves the issue.

Issues labeled with help wanted or first timers only are open for contributions.

Please make sure you read our guidelines for contributing. We prioritize contributors following the instructions in our guide. Join us in our chat room or the forum if you need help contributing - our community will be happy to assist you.

[1Dedios]

@ilenia-magoni Thank you! I've thoroughly reviewed the guidelines and hope to have a contribution soon. If it's not answered in the guidelines, I'll be sure to direct my question to Discord.

[l3onhard]

Can someone point me to the folder where I would work on adding the save button to the labs?