EventCatalog: Code Block Overflow Problem & Solutions

Code Block Overflow Issue in EventCatalog Custom Documentation: A Deep Dive

Hey guys! Have you ever run into that frustrating issue where your content spills over the edges when you add a code block to your documentation? Yeah, well, I've been there. It's like, you're trying to make your documentation super helpful by including code snippets, and then BAM! Everything gets cut off or hidden behind the navigation panel. This is a common problem in EventCatalog, and it's something we're gonna break down together. Let's get into it!

The Problem: Code Blocks Causing Content Overflow

So, the main issue here is pretty straightforward: EventCatalog's custom documentation struggles to handle code blocks. When you throw in a code snippet, the content doesn't respect the boundaries of the page. Instead, it overflows, often getting hidden behind the right-hand navigation. This makes the content tough to read and understand, which is a major buzzkill. And, it's not just the code blocks themselves that are the problem; it's that the layout of your other components, like tiles or other elements, are also impacted. The screenshot shows it, the tiles are also impacted when adding a code block.

It's like the system isn't set up to handle the width of the code blocks. It's as if it doesn't recognize that code blocks can be wider than the content area. This is a pretty big deal because code snippets are essential for developers. Without them, explaining how things work becomes way harder, and it's going to be a painful experience to use.

Think about it: code blocks are the bread and butter of technical documentation. They provide that essential hands-on experience. When they're not displayed correctly, it's like trying to bake a cake without a recipe – possible, but a lot harder! This overflow issue disrupts the whole user experience, turning what should be a helpful resource into a confusing mess. This makes it harder for you to convey your message and makes it harder for your users to find the information they need.

What Happens When the Content Overflows?

When this overflow occurs, it can seriously mess up the user experience. Users might miss important parts of the code, or worse, not even realize that some parts are hidden. The layout gets distorted, and what should be an easy-to-follow guide becomes a puzzle. It's like when you're building a house and the walls are too big for the foundation—things just don't work right.

This lack of responsiveness makes the documentation less useful and could lead to confusion. If users can't see the whole code or can't understand the layout, they might make mistakes or get frustrated. In the worst-case scenario, they might turn away from your documentation altogether. It's a major problem that makes your docs less effective and more difficult to work with. So, by understanding the impact of content overflow, we can see just how important it is to fix this issue to improve the overall user experience.

The Ideal Outcome: Content Remains Within Boundaries

What we want is for the documentation to look awesome no matter what. The content should stay within its boundaries, and the design should be responsive. This means that even if the code blocks are wide, the page should accommodate them without anything getting cut off or hidden. If a code block is too wide, a horizontal scroll bar should appear, or the code should automatically wrap so that all of the content is visible.

This way, users can easily view and interact with the code snippets. The overall user experience would be improved. It's not only about making things look good; it's about making things work well. A well-designed page makes the information much more accessible.

Imagine a world where your documentation is easy to navigate. Code blocks are displayed in full, and everything is clear and straightforward. This is the goal! A well-designed page should provide all the information clearly.

Workarounds and Limitations

Unfortunately, there's no simple fix like a magic button. Removing code blocks is one way to get rid of the problem, but, come on, that's not what we want. Code blocks are essential for great documentation, so we need a better solution. This is a common problem that needs a robust solution.

The key is to get the system to recognize and handle the width of code blocks, allowing them to fit within the available space. That might mean adding a horizontal scroll bar. Or maybe the code should wrap automatically so that it all fits in the window. The important thing is that the documentation stays usable and easy to follow. This is what needs to be fixed to make sure the documentation experience is top-notch!

Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture

So, why is this such a big deal? Well, good documentation is crucial. It's what makes your project easy to use. If your documentation is awesome, developers will love using your tools. But if it's hard to understand, people will be confused and frustrated. Good documentation makes everything more user-friendly and makes the development experience better overall.

This overflow issue hurts the user experience by making the docs harder to navigate. It undermines the entire goal of documentation, which is to educate and empower users. Fixing this will help the documentation become more user-friendly and a valuable resource.

Technical Details: EventCatalog Version and Platform

The issue was observed on EventCatalog version 2.54.3 and the Node.js version is 22.6.0. The testing platform was MacOS. Knowing these specifics helps in isolating the problem and finding a good solution. It will also help in testing any future fixes.

Community Action: Let's Fix This Together

If you're facing this issue, don't worry, you're not alone! You can help by adding a thumbs-up reaction to the issue to help prioritize it. And if you're feeling ambitious and want to help solve it, please leave a comment.

By working together, we can make EventCatalog documentation a better experience. It's a chance to make the project even better and make it more enjoyable to work with. Together, we can build a better platform!

In Conclusion: The Path Forward

The overflow issue with code blocks in EventCatalog is a problem that needs a fix. By understanding the impact on the user experience and working together, we can come up with solutions. So let's get to work, improve the documentation, and make the experience even better for everyone!