Fixing The White Block Bug On Your Map's Bottom Sheet

Hey guys, have you ever encountered a pesky white block obscuring the content on your map's bottom sheet after exiting a search? It's a frustrating issue, but don't worry, we're going to dive deep into what causes this and how to fix it. This article is your comprehensive guide to understanding and resolving the "Bottom sheet shows white block after exiting search" problem. We'll explore the root cause, the steps to reproduce the bug, the expected behavior, the actual outcome, and, most importantly, the solution. So, let's get started and make your map's bottom sheet work perfectly!

Understanding the Problem: The White Block Menace

First off, let's nail down what we're dealing with. The core issue is a visual glitch where a white block mysteriously appears on your map's bottom sheet after you've used the search function and then closed it. Imagine you're using a map app, you search for a location, and the bottom sheet pops up with search results. You then decide to go back or clear the search. When you expand the bottom sheet to view its full content, a large white area covers the content, making it unusable. This white block essentially hides everything below, rendering the bottom sheet useless. This is a classic UI bug, and it's a pain, but luckily, it's fixable. This issue is specific to the map's bottom sheet and it's triggered by a particular sequence of actions involving the search functionality.

Now, let's break down the steps to reproduce this annoying bug.

Steps to Reproduce the White Block

To really understand the problem, you need to be able to make it happen yourself. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide to trigger the white block issue:

1. Open the Map Bottom Sheet: Start by opening the bottom sheet on your map app. This is usually done by tapping an icon or swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Think of this as the launching pad for our little experiment.
2. Enter Search: Activate the search function within the bottom sheet. You'll probably see a search bar where you can type in your desired location or point of interest. Go ahead and start searching, maybe enter a destination or a type of business.
3. Tap Back, Then Tap 'X': Here's the critical part. First, tap the back button to exit the search screen (as you would normally do). After that, tap the 'X' button or clear button to completely remove the search input. It's like a double-tap to clear things out. This combination is key to the bug.
4. Expand to Full Mode: Finally, expand the bottom sheet to its full-screen mode. This is usually done by swiping up on the bottom sheet. This action should reveal the content hidden beneath, but, in this case, it unfortunately reveals the white block, which covers the content.

Following these steps, you will see the white block fill the space, and hide the content. Now we have an idea of what we are dealing with.

Expected vs. Actual: What Should Happen and What Does

Alright, let's compare what should happen (the expected behavior) with what actually happens (the actual behavior). This is super important for understanding the bug and the need for a fix.

• Expected Behavior: When you expand the bottom sheet to full mode after completing the steps above, you should see the content filling the sheet without any obstruction. There should be no persistent padding at the bottom when the keyboard is closed. The content should fit the entire sheet space. Everything would be visible and usable, as you would expect. Smooth and clean, just how it should be.
• Actual Behavior: Instead of the clean display, a white block appears. This white area fills the space from the bottom up to the medium height, effectively hiding the sheet's content. The content is covered, making the sheet unusable. This white block is the core problem, and it's caused by an unwanted padding. This persistent padding is the real troublemaker.

So, there is a clear difference between how the app should function and how it actually does. The difference comes down to that stubborn white block.

Unveiling the Culprit: The Root Cause

Here’s where we get to the detective work. To fix the issue, you need to know what's causing it. The white block is a result of a regression, specifically introduced in commit 1155b6a4, which was part of the "Fix/add scrolling with keyboard #376" fix. The regression is due to unconditional imePadding being applied to the full-state sheet content. imePadding is designed to adjust the layout when the keyboard is visible, but in this scenario, it is applied when the keyboard is closed after the search is cleared. This creates a padding that pushes the content upwards and creates the illusion of a white block. So, the bug is not directly in the sheet itself, but rather in the way the sheet handles the imePadding.

Let’s dive a little deeper into this. The imePadding is supposed to help when the keyboard is on the screen. It is meant to make sure the content isn’t covered by the keyboard. The original bug was fixed by adding imePadding to make scrolling with the keyboard possible, so the issue appeared. That's why the white block is there in the first place, when it shouldn’t be. It's a classic case of one fix causing a new, unintended problem.

The Fix: Applying IME Padding Strategically

The temporary fix is to apply IME padding only when the keyboard is visible. The permanent fix focuses on a conditional application of the IME padding, ensuring it's only active when necessary. This means that the padding should only be applied when the keyboard is visible, which resolves the visual obstruction when the keyboard is not active.

By ensuring that imePadding is applied only when the keyboard is visible, the problem disappears. The content is displayed as expected, with no white block covering it. The sheet functions correctly, and users can view and interact with the content without any obstruction.

This simple adjustment is a clever workaround. It addresses the root cause of the white block, and ensures the bottom sheet works as intended. This fix should not break the scrolling functionality that was added in the commit that introduced the bug. This is where the magic happens and ensures the bottom sheet is perfect.

Benefits of the Solution

Let’s think about why this fix matters. It’s not just about getting rid of a white block. It has bigger impacts. Here’s what it brings to the table:

• Improved User Experience: The fix restores the expected behavior of the bottom sheet. The content is visible and accessible, making the app much more enjoyable. No more frustration or confusion from the user.
• Enhanced Functionality: The bottom sheet can perform as designed, displaying the information or controls it's supposed to. Users can easily interact with the map. This fix prevents a broken bottom sheet.
• Increased User Satisfaction: Users appreciate when problems are fixed quickly. The white block is fixed, the bottom sheet works flawlessly. The users are going to be happy.

Conclusion: Making the Bottom Sheet Great Again

Alright guys, we've walked through the whole process. We’ve explored the white block bug, steps to reproduce it, the root cause, and, most importantly, the solution. It is all about the conditional application of imePadding. By only applying the padding when the keyboard is visible, we eliminate the white block and ensure a smooth user experience. This solution will make the bottom sheet work as it should.

Remember, if you encounter this issue, implement the fix to ensure that your users have a seamless experience. Keep an eye out for similar UI regressions, and always make sure you're up-to-date with your app's dependencies.

Thanks for joining me on this journey, and I hope this helps you and your app. Now go out there and build amazing things!