Enhancing Parallels Desktop: New Event Monitor Integration
Hey everyone! Let's dive into a cool project – integrating a new event monitor background service into the Parallels Desktop service. This is all about making things smoother and more efficient when the service reads VMs (Virtual Machines). We'll go through the details, the why, and how we're going to make it happen, keeping everything user-friendly and easy to grasp. So, grab a coffee, and let's get started!
The Core Challenge: Integrating the New Event Emitter
So, the main goal here is to smoothly integrate the new event emitter background service with how the Parallels Desktop service handles VMs. Right now, the service uses a system with GetCachedVms and GetVms. GetCachedVms checks for a cached JSON file with VM info and if there's nothing there, it runs GetVms to get the details. Our job is to modify GetCachedVms to use the new service when there’s no cached data. That way, we keep the old stuff working and tap into the benefits of the new event emitter. The new service will then be responsible for keeping the cached object updated. This is crucial for performance and ensuring that we always have the most current information available.
Keeping the Old and Bringing in the New
We need to make sure that the old functionality stays intact because it’s relied upon by other parts of the system. We're not just throwing away the old and bringing in the new; we're doing a careful dance to make sure everything works together perfectly. The old system is what we are calling the GetCachedVms, which will continue to serve cached data unless the cache is empty. If the cache is empty, we will have the new service called which will get the data for the first time and cache it.
Why This Matters
This update is all about making the Parallels Desktop service more responsive and reliable. By using the new event emitter, we’re setting things up for a more dynamic and up-to-date system. It's like upgrading the engine in your car – things run smoother, faster, and more efficiently. The updated service will also improve the user experience, providing faster access to VM information and a more responsive interface. It's all about making the Parallels Desktop experience better for everyone involved.
Making the Switch: Key Changes and How They Work
Okay, let's look at the changes we're making to bring this all together. We will make GetVms a private function and then change all the places it’s used to use GetCachedVms instead. This is how we make sure that the new event emitter is the main way to get VM info.
Focusing on GetCachedVms
The main function that we are working with is the GetCachedVms. This is how we retrieve the VM information in our service. We're updating it to call the new service when there isn't cached data available. The new service will handle fetching the latest VM details, updating the cache, and making sure that all subsequent requests use the cached information. This is where we bring in the new event emitter.
The Private GetVms Transformation
We will also take the GetVms and make it private. This means it will only be used within the new event emitter service. Everywhere else will use GetCachedVms. By doing this, we create a clear separation of concerns, where the new service is the primary source of VM data, and the caching mechanism ensures that data is readily available for other services. This helps with the performance and consistency of the service, since it ensures that the most up-to-date data is being used.
Ensuring Smooth Transitions
To make sure things run smoothly, we will have to test this. We are aiming for 80% coverage to test this, so we can make sure everything is perfect and we can get started with the new integration of the event emitter service.
User Story: The Developer's Perspective
As a developer, the goal here is to make the ParallelsService use the new event emitter to get accurate VM info every time. The new background service will keep the cached VM data current, making sure that other parts of the system always have the latest details. We’re working to make the developer's job easier and make the service better.
The Developer Experience
This change should make the service more reliable and provide a solid foundation for future development. By using the event emitter, developers can count on getting the right data when they need it. The new approach will simplify the process of accessing VM data, allowing developers to focus on building features rather than wrestling with data retrieval issues.
Benefits for the Team
The project benefits the whole team by improving the overall quality of the code and making maintenance easier. The new architecture is all about improving the efficiency of the service and making it more reliable and also making it easier to work with. Everyone on the team can benefit from the streamlined approach.
Acceptance Criteria: What Success Looks Like
So, how do we know we've nailed it? Here's what we're aiming for:
- DevOps uses 
GetCachedVms: This is a key requirement. All data retrieval will go through the cache. - Private 
GetVmsfunction: We'll make theGetVmsprivate to enforce data integrity. - Unit Tests with 80% Coverage: This is key to make sure we get good coverage on all the new features. We are making sure that the tests cover most aspects of the change to ensure everything works as intended.
 machinesendpoint works as expected: Themachinesendpoint should provide the correct VM data after the change.
The Importance of Testing
We focus a lot on testing, because they help ensure that we're delivering a reliable product. Each test case will ensure that the integration with the new event emitter works properly. This step is about making sure that everything we do is solid, functional, and that it doesn't break anything else.
Definition of Done: The Checklist for Completion
So, how do we know we're done? Here's a quick checklist:
- Code Implemented with Best Practices: Making sure the code is clean, easy to read, and follows all the best coding standards.
 - Unit Tests Written and Passing: All the unit tests have been created and they all pass.
 - Code Reviewed and Approved: Making sure that the code is reviewed by other team members.
 - Merged into the Main Branch: The code has been merged with the main branch.
 - Documentation Updated: All relevant documentation has been updated to reflect the changes.
 - Deployed to Staging/Production: Finally, the code has been deployed to a staging or production environment.
 
Ensuring Quality
We always focus on quality, which means taking the time to test thoroughly and get code reviewed. This checklist makes sure everything's buttoned up before we call it done. This process helps us maintain code quality and ensure the new service works well in different environments.
Assumptions and Constraints
We'll keep an eye on things, but for now, we don't have any major constraints or assumptions. This allows us to move forward without any big roadblocks and ensure that everything we do is aligned with the project goals. This will make it easier to deliver the best results.
Dealing with Uncertainties
While we don’t have any specific assumptions, we're always ready to handle any issues that come up. If any unexpected problems arise, we’ll address them in a quick and effective manner, keeping the project on track.
Dependencies
No dependencies are listed, which makes things simpler, but we’ll watch out for anything that pops up as we move along. This lets us focus on the tasks at hand, making sure the project goes off without a hitch. We need to keep a close eye on everything to make sure that the integration with the new service is successful.
Managing Dependencies
We always make sure that all the dependencies are up-to-date and that they work well together, ensuring the project goes as planned. We’re ready to adapt and make changes if we need to and make sure the project is successful.
Additional Notes
No extra notes, so it’s all systems go! This means we can put our full focus on the integration, making sure everything aligns with the requirements and provides the best possible user experience. We are ready to tackle the project.
Keeping Things Simple
The lack of additional notes simplifies the project and lets us focus on core tasks. By keeping it simple, we can streamline the process and make sure we reach our goals. This helps us ensure we deliver a great product to the end user. This allows us to focus on the key changes and ensure a smooth integration.
This is the plan, and we are on track to make some real improvements. Let’s get to it!