Change Workflow For Certificate Generation On Course Completion

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Introduction

Certificate generation is a crucial aspect of course completion, providing a tangible representation of a learner's achievement. However, the current workflow for certificate generation can sometimes lead to issues due to a race condition. In this article, we will explore the current workflow, identify the problems associated with it, and propose a new workflow that utilizes a scheduled task to generate certificates.

Current Workflow

The current workflow for certificate generation involves an observer that listens for the "course completed" event for a user. When this event is fired, the observer performs the following actions:

  1. Update Local Database: The observer updates the local_iomad_track table with the course completion information, including the final grade and timestamp when completed.
  2. Certificate Availability Check: The observer checks if a certificate is available for the user. If a certificate is available, it saves one for the user, provided they have access to it.

Problems with the Current Workflow

The second part of the workflow, where the observer checks for certificate availability and saves one for the user, can occasionally cause issues. These issues arise due to a race condition, where the conditional updates haven't happened at the time the check is made. This can lead to the following problems:

  • Certificate Not Generated: If the course is not yet marked as complete, the certificate may not be generated, even if it is available.
  • Certificate Generated Incorrectly: If the certificate is generated before the course completion information is updated, it may contain incorrect or incomplete information.

Proposed Workflow

To resolve the issues associated with the current workflow, we propose a new workflow that utilizes a scheduled task to generate certificates. This approach eliminates the race condition and ensures that certificates are generated correctly and consistently.

Scheduled Task Workflow

The proposed workflow involves the following steps:

  1. Course Completion Event: The "course completed" event is fired for a user.
  2. Update Local Database: The observer updates the local_iomad_track table with the course completion information, including the final grade and timestamp when completed.
  3. Schedule Certificate Generation: The observer schedules a task to generate a certificate for the user.
  4. Certificate Generation: The scheduled task generates a certificate for the user, using the updated course completion information.
  5. Certificate Saving: The generated certificate is saved for the user, provided they have access to it.

Benefits of the Proposed Workflow

The proposed workflow offers several benefits over the current workflow:

  • Eliminates Race Condition: The scheduled task workflow eliminates the race condition, ensuring that certificates are generated correctly and consistently.
  • Improved Accuracy: The updated course completion information is used to generate the certificate, reducing the likelihood of errors or inaccuracies.
  • Increased Efficiency: The scheduled task workflow can be optimized to run at regular intervals, reducing the load on the system and improving overall efficiency.

Implementation Considerations

When implementing the proposed workflow, the following considerations should be taken into account:

  • Task Scheduling: The task scheduling mechanism should be robust and reliable, ensuring that certificates are generated at the time.
  • Certificate Generation: The certificate generation process should be secure and reliable, using the updated course completion information to generate the certificate.
  • Error Handling: The system should have robust error handling mechanisms in place to handle any issues that may arise during certificate generation.

Conclusion

Q&A: Certificate Generation Workflow Changes

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the proposed changes to the certificate generation workflow on course completion. In this article, we will address some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to these changes.

Q: What is the main reason for changing the certificate generation workflow?

A: The main reason for changing the certificate generation workflow is to eliminate the race condition that can occur when checking for certificate availability and saving one for the user. This change ensures that certificates are generated correctly and consistently.

Q: How does the proposed workflow eliminate the race condition?

A: The proposed workflow eliminates the race condition by scheduling a task to generate a certificate for the user after the course completion event has been fired and the local database has been updated. This ensures that the certificate is generated using the updated course completion information.

Q: What are the benefits of the proposed workflow?

A: The proposed workflow offers several benefits, including:

  • Elimination of the race condition
  • Improved accuracy
  • Increased efficiency

Q: How does the proposed workflow improve accuracy?

A: The proposed workflow improves accuracy by using the updated course completion information to generate the certificate. This reduces the likelihood of errors or inaccuracies.

Q: How does the proposed workflow increase efficiency?

A: The proposed workflow increases efficiency by scheduling a task to generate a certificate for the user. This reduces the load on the system and improves overall efficiency.

Q: What are the implementation considerations for the proposed workflow?

A: The implementation considerations for the proposed workflow include:

  • Task scheduling: The task scheduling mechanism should be robust and reliable.
  • Certificate generation: The certificate generation process should be secure and reliable.
  • Error handling: The system should have robust error handling mechanisms in place to handle any issues that may arise during certificate generation.

Q: How will the proposed workflow affect existing integrations?

A: The proposed workflow may affect existing integrations that rely on the current certificate generation workflow. These integrations will need to be updated to accommodate the new workflow.

Q: What is the timeline for implementing the proposed workflow?

A: The timeline for implementing the proposed workflow will depend on the specific requirements and resources available. However, it is recommended to implement the proposed workflow as soon as possible to take advantage of its benefits.

Q: Who should be involved in the implementation of the proposed workflow?

A: The implementation of the proposed workflow should involve the following stakeholders:

  • Development team: Responsible for implementing the new workflow.
  • Quality assurance team: Responsible for testing the new workflow.
  • Operations team: Responsible for deploying and maintaining the new workflow.
  • End-users: Responsible for providing feedback and testing the new workflow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proposed changes to the certificate generation workflow on course completion offer several benefits, including the elimination of the race condition, improved accuracy, and increased efficiency. By addressing some of the frequently asked questions related to these changes, we hope to provide a better understanding of the proposed workflow and its implementation considerations.