Genre Filter Bug In V1.1.0: Creates Unusable Compound Filters

Hey guys! Let's dive into a pesky bug found in version 1.1.0 that's messing with our genre filters. This issue was reported by bsogulcan and another-iptv-player in the discussion category, and it's something we seriously need to address to improve user experience. So, let's get started and see what the problem is and how we can fix it!

Description:

The core issue lies in how the "Sort by Genre" feature handles data in the Movies and Series sections. Instead of intelligently parsing the genre data, the app clumsily creates a new filter option for every unique string of genres it encounters. This leads to a cluttered and dysfunctional filter list, filled with entries like "Action & Adventure" and "animation / sci-fi & Fantasy" instead of offering individual, selectable genres. Imagine trying to find a specific type of movie, and you're bombarded with these weird, combined genres – super annoying, right?

Steps to Reproduce:

To see this mess in action, follow these simple steps:

1. Head over to the main Movies or Series section.
2. Take a peek at the horizontal list of genre filters at the top.

Actual Behavior:

What you'll notice is that the filter list is swamped with compound "multi-genres." Here’s the breakdown:

• If a movie is tagged as "Action & Adventure," the app creates a single filter button labeled "Action & Adventure."
• If another movie is tagged as "animation / sci-fi & Fantasy," you guessed it, another filter button with that exact name pops up.
• When you click the "Action & Adventure" filter, it only shows movies that exactly match that combined string. So, if you're looking for just "Action" or "Adventure" movies, you're out of luck. This makes the filter pretty much useless for discovering new content. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack, but the needle is also a haystack!

Expected Behavior:

Now, here's how it should work. The app should present a clean, standardized list of individual genres. Think "Action," "Adventure," "Animation," "Sci-Fi," "Fantasy," and "Crime." When you select "Action," the app should display all movies that include "Action" in their genre data, regardless of any other genres listed. This is what we all expect, right? A simple, effective, and user-friendly filtering system.

Suggested Solution (for the Feature Track)

Okay, so this is a bit of a tricky problem, likely stemming from inconsistent server data. But don't worry, I've got a suggestion for a more robust, client-side solution that we can implement in a future release. Let's break it down:

1. Create a Standardized Genre List:

First things first, the app needs its own internal, predefined list of primary genres. This list should include common genres like "Action," "Comedy," "Science Fiction," "Horror," and so on. Think of it as our master list of genres. This standardized list will act as our single source of truth, ensuring consistency across the app. By having this list, we avoid relying solely on the often messy and inconsistent data coming from the server.

2. Implement Smart Matching:

Next up, when a user selects a genre from our standard list (let's say "Science Fiction"), the app should intelligently search the raw genre data from the server for any item that contains a matching keyword. This is where the magic happens. Instead of looking for exact matches, we're looking for partial matches. This way, even if the server data isn't perfectly consistent, we can still accurately filter the content.

3. Account for Variations (The "Hustle"):

This is the most crucial part. The app's logic needs to be smart enough to map multiple different server-side strings to a single, standard filter. This is what separates a good solution from a great one.

Let's take an example. When a user taps the app's standard "Science Fiction" filter, the app should be clever enough to find items tagged by the server as:

• "Science Fiction"
• "sci-fi"
• "خيال علمي" (and any other language variations)

It's all about being flexible and accommodating different data formats.

By implementing these steps, we can fix the unusable compound filters and provide a powerful, functional sorting tool for our users, even if the server data is inconsistent. This approach not only solves the immediate problem but also lays the foundation for a more robust and user-friendly genre filtering system in the long run. It's a win-win situation!

So, there you have it – a comprehensive look at the genre filter bug, along with a potential solution. Let's hope the developers take note and implement these changes in the next release. Happy filtering, everyone!

Implementing a standardized genre list is crucial for maintaining consistency and accuracy in content categorization. By having an internal, predefined list of primary genres, the app can ensure that all content is properly classified, regardless of variations in server-side data. This approach not only improves the user experience but also simplifies content management and future updates.

Smart matching algorithms are essential for handling inconsistent data from various sources. By searching for partial matches instead of exact matches, the app can effectively filter content even when the server data is not perfectly consistent. This approach requires more sophisticated logic but yields a more robust and reliable filtering system.

Accounting for variations in genre tags, including abbreviations, alternative spellings, and translations, is vital for providing a comprehensive filtering experience. The app should be able to map multiple different server-side strings to a single, standard filter, ensuring that all relevant content is included in the search results. This approach requires a deep understanding of the content and the various ways it can be tagged, but it ultimately leads to a more user-friendly and effective filtering system.

Providing a powerful and functional sorting tool for users is paramount for enhancing the overall user experience. By fixing the unusable compound filters and implementing a smart matching system, the app can empower users to easily find the content they are looking for. This not only increases user satisfaction but also encourages users to explore more of the app's content.

Addressing the genre filter bug in version 1.1.0 is imperative for maintaining the app's credibility and reputation. By promptly addressing this issue and implementing a robust solution, the app can demonstrate its commitment to providing a high-quality user experience. This not only helps to retain existing users but also attracts new users who are looking for a reliable and user-friendly content streaming platform.

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