The Journey of a Bug: A Tale of Persistence and Innovation in Tech
October 19, 2024, 5:58 am
🍕 Додо Пицца
Employees: 11-50
In the world of technology, bugs are like shadows. They lurk in the corners, waiting to trip you up. For the team at Dodo Pizza, a simple redesign led to a six-month-long battle with a persistent bug in their iOS app. This story is not just about fixing a glitch; it’s about the relentless pursuit of solutions and the creativity that emerges from challenges.
It all began with a redesign. The Dodo Pizza app underwent a transformation, replacing the traditional tab bar with a floating button for the shopping cart. At first glance, it seemed like a smart move. The new design was sleek and modern. But as users began to interact with the app, a problem emerged. Customers using iOS 14 reported that they couldn’t see the shopping cart button. It was like a magician’s trick—poof! The button vanished when the cart was empty, and users were left confused.
Initially, the complaints were few. The team brushed them off, thinking they were minor inconveniences. But as the weeks rolled on, the trickle of complaints turned into a steady stream. The tech lead, Alex Beriozka, took notice. He discovered that all the complaints came from users on iOS 14. The QA team, equipped with devices running newer versions, couldn’t replicate the issue. It was like trying to catch smoke with bare hands.
Months passed, and the ticket for the bug remained open. New cases kept piling up. Some users even sent videos demonstrating the issue. The shopping cart button appeared, but it was lifeless—no price displayed, no action when tapped. Alex decided it was time to dig deeper. He learned that the problem was confined to iOS versions 14.0 to 14.4.2. This was a breakthrough, but it also meant the team needed to find a device running that specific version to investigate further.
The search for an iPhone running iOS 14 became a quest. Alex scoured online marketplaces, negotiating with sellers who often didn’t understand the urgency. After a week of searching, he found a hidden gem—a second-hand iPhone 6S still running the elusive iOS 14.4.2. It was a small victory, but the real challenge lay ahead.
Back at the office, the team gathered for a debugging session. They were eager to uncover the mystery behind the malfunctioning button. After some investigation, they discovered that the button was built using SwiftUI, while the rest of the app still relied on UIKit. The integration was flawed. The button’s lifecycle methods weren’t firing as expected. It was a classic case of two worlds colliding.
The team had to act fast. They needed a fix that wouldn’t require extensive refactoring. The solution was elegant: they created a subclass of UIHostingController that manually triggered the viewDidLoad method. It was a simple tweak, but it had the potential to save countless hours of work. The fix was a few lines of code, a testament to the power of simplicity in problem-solving.
Once the fix was implemented, the team prepared for the next steps. They planned to release an update that would not only resolve the bug but also phase out support for iOS 14. It was a necessary move, but it also marked the end of an era for some users. The tech world is ever-evolving, and sometimes, you have to leave the past behind to embrace the future.
This story is a reminder of the challenges faced by tech teams. Bugs are not just nuisances; they are opportunities for growth and innovation. Each challenge forces teams to think creatively and adapt. The journey from problem to solution is often fraught with obstacles, but it’s also where the magic happens.
In the end, the Dodo Pizza team emerged stronger. They learned valuable lessons about user experience, the importance of thorough testing, and the need for flexibility in design. The bug that once seemed like a daunting mountain became a stepping stone toward improvement.
As technology continues to advance, the landscape will always be dotted with bugs and glitches. But with persistence, creativity, and a willingness to learn, teams can navigate these challenges. They can turn setbacks into triumphs, ensuring that the user experience remains smooth and enjoyable.
In the world of tech, every bug tells a story. It’s a tale of resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. And for the Dodo Pizza team, this chapter was just one of many in their ongoing journey. As they move forward, they carry with them the lessons learned and the knowledge that every challenge is an opportunity in disguise.
It all began with a redesign. The Dodo Pizza app underwent a transformation, replacing the traditional tab bar with a floating button for the shopping cart. At first glance, it seemed like a smart move. The new design was sleek and modern. But as users began to interact with the app, a problem emerged. Customers using iOS 14 reported that they couldn’t see the shopping cart button. It was like a magician’s trick—poof! The button vanished when the cart was empty, and users were left confused.
Initially, the complaints were few. The team brushed them off, thinking they were minor inconveniences. But as the weeks rolled on, the trickle of complaints turned into a steady stream. The tech lead, Alex Beriozka, took notice. He discovered that all the complaints came from users on iOS 14. The QA team, equipped with devices running newer versions, couldn’t replicate the issue. It was like trying to catch smoke with bare hands.
Months passed, and the ticket for the bug remained open. New cases kept piling up. Some users even sent videos demonstrating the issue. The shopping cart button appeared, but it was lifeless—no price displayed, no action when tapped. Alex decided it was time to dig deeper. He learned that the problem was confined to iOS versions 14.0 to 14.4.2. This was a breakthrough, but it also meant the team needed to find a device running that specific version to investigate further.
The search for an iPhone running iOS 14 became a quest. Alex scoured online marketplaces, negotiating with sellers who often didn’t understand the urgency. After a week of searching, he found a hidden gem—a second-hand iPhone 6S still running the elusive iOS 14.4.2. It was a small victory, but the real challenge lay ahead.
Back at the office, the team gathered for a debugging session. They were eager to uncover the mystery behind the malfunctioning button. After some investigation, they discovered that the button was built using SwiftUI, while the rest of the app still relied on UIKit. The integration was flawed. The button’s lifecycle methods weren’t firing as expected. It was a classic case of two worlds colliding.
The team had to act fast. They needed a fix that wouldn’t require extensive refactoring. The solution was elegant: they created a subclass of UIHostingController that manually triggered the viewDidLoad method. It was a simple tweak, but it had the potential to save countless hours of work. The fix was a few lines of code, a testament to the power of simplicity in problem-solving.
Once the fix was implemented, the team prepared for the next steps. They planned to release an update that would not only resolve the bug but also phase out support for iOS 14. It was a necessary move, but it also marked the end of an era for some users. The tech world is ever-evolving, and sometimes, you have to leave the past behind to embrace the future.
This story is a reminder of the challenges faced by tech teams. Bugs are not just nuisances; they are opportunities for growth and innovation. Each challenge forces teams to think creatively and adapt. The journey from problem to solution is often fraught with obstacles, but it’s also where the magic happens.
In the end, the Dodo Pizza team emerged stronger. They learned valuable lessons about user experience, the importance of thorough testing, and the need for flexibility in design. The bug that once seemed like a daunting mountain became a stepping stone toward improvement.
As technology continues to advance, the landscape will always be dotted with bugs and glitches. But with persistence, creativity, and a willingness to learn, teams can navigate these challenges. They can turn setbacks into triumphs, ensuring that the user experience remains smooth and enjoyable.
In the world of tech, every bug tells a story. It’s a tale of resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. And for the Dodo Pizza team, this chapter was just one of many in their ongoing journey. As they move forward, they carry with them the lessons learned and the knowledge that every challenge is an opportunity in disguise.