Introduction: In the ever-evolving world of IT, user interface (UI) design has undergone various transformations. One of these trends involved making desktop interfaces resemble mobile interfaces. However, this trend eventually reverted to the idea that mobile and desktop UIs should be distinct. During the era of mobile-like UIs, a concept called UI actions emerged. This lesson delves into UI actions, their significance, and how they influence navigation within IT systems.
UI Actions: An Overview
UI actions, short for user interface actions, are dynamic elements within IT systems designed to facilitate navigation. They offer flexibility in constructing menu systems without the need for hardcoded menus, allowing for diverse navigation paths. UI actions are deeply rooted in the concepts of nouns, verbs, and actions, akin to a linguistic model.
Functionality of UI Actions
UI actions primarily serve as links pointing to various resources or workflows. These resources can include web pages, protected resource pages, objects, or PowerIDs (with associated URLs). The key to differentiating UI actions is how they generate these links based on specific parameters and permissions.
Security and UI Actions
UI actions are security-trimmed, meaning users only see actions they have permission to use. In a system with thousands of UI actions, users will only encounter those relevant to their permissions, reducing clutter and complexity.
Display Locations
UI actions can be displayed in various parts of an IT system, depending on the context. These locations include mobile interfaces, bot interactions, find pages, and microservices. Each context may present UI actions differently, aligning with its specific purpose.
Practical Example: Implementing a UI Action
Let's illustrate how to create a UI action using a real-world scenario. Suppose you want to provide users with access to a "Manage Person" workflow. Here are the steps:
Begin by defining the UI action with a name, description, and optional localization.
Select the appropriate noun (e.g., "person") for this UI action.
Choose an appropriate verb based on the context and workflow.
Specify whether the UI action is contextual or non-contextual, depending on its display requirements.
Indicate the action type, whether it's a page or a workflow.
Save the UI action configuration.
Once created, the UI action dynamically appears in the interface, but only for users with the necessary permissions to execute the linked workflow.
Extending UI Actions
Organizations can extend UI actions by defining custom nouns, verbs, and actions tailored to their specific needs. For example, you can create custom UI actions for industry-specific workflows or operations unique to your business.
Conclusion: UI actions are essential tools for enhancing user navigation within IT systems. They offer dynamic, customizable menu options while maintaining security and user-specific relevance. By understanding UI actions and their flexibility, organizations can streamline their interfaces and improve user experiences in an ever-evolving IT landscape.