Admin settings refactor

[hyattc1]

Refactor admin/settings.js to reduce complexity
Changes Made
Extracted inline logic into helper functions to reduce complexity in Settings.prepare
Added DEFAULT_INPUT_TYPES constant for better maintainability
Created bindUnsavedChange() helper for handling unsaved changes
Created applyInitialValues() helper for populating form fields
Created wireSaveButton() helper for save button functionality
Removed unused numFields variable to fix linting error
Validation
✅ All linting checks pass (npm run lint)
✅ All tests pass (npm run test)
✅ Manual testing completed with console log verification
✅ Qlty complexity analysis shows reduced complexity
Note on 500 Error
During development, I encountered a 500 "Failed to lookup view" error that was unrelated to the refactoring changes. This didn't let me get my screenshot with my console log name unfortunately. This was caused by a missing AMD module dependency in topicThumbs.js (trying to require non-existent 'composer' module). The refactoring work was completed on a clean commit state before this error occurred, and all validation was performed successfully.

[coveralls]

Pull Request Test Coverage Report for Build 17483259489

Details

• 0 of 0 changed or added relevant lines in 0 files are covered.
• No unchanged relevant lines lost coverage.
• Overall coverage remained the same at 78.529%

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Totals
Change from base Build 17435863312:	0.0%
Covered Lines:	24692
Relevant Lines:	29606

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💛 - Coveralls

[hyattc1]

(ChatGPT used to clearly define answers)

Incase my answers from before weren't enough you can reference this (as long as I dont get docked too heavily for this being after the official due date last night)

2.1: How did the specific issue impact the codebase’s adaptability?

Issue: High function complexity in public/src/admin/settings.js:57 (Settings.prepare).
Impact: A single “god function” was handling unrelated concerns (initial value hydration, unsaved-change tracking, save wiring, keyboard shortcuts, uploads, tags input, and cache clearing). This coupling made the file:
hard to extend (any new settings behavior risked breaking others),
hard to test in isolation,
hard to review/merge (frequent, wide diffs),
easy to regress (one change touched many paths).
Net: the module resisted change; small UI tweaks required navigating a large, interwoven function.

2.2: What changes did you make to resolve the issue?

I performed a surgical refactor with no behavior change:
Extracted helpers out of Settings.prepare:
bindUnsavedChange(fields) – tracks _unsaved flag.
applyInitialValues(fields) – populates inputs from app.config.
wireSaveButton(saveBtn, fields) – validates + saves via existing saveFields.
Introduced a small constant DEFAULT_INPUT_TYPES (formerly inline list) to remove magic strings and clarify intent.
Removed an unused variable (numFields) flagged by lint.
Temporary log (console.log('HYATT_PREPARE_START')) added for manual-test verification, then removed prior to final commit.
These changes reduced cyclomatic/structural complexity inside Settings.prepare while preserving the public API, DOM contracts, and user behavior.

2.3: How do your changes improve adaptability? Did you consider alternatives?

Improvements:
Separation of concerns: Each helper has a single responsibility, reducing ripple effects when requirements change.
Easier to extend: New settings behaviors can be added as new helpers or swapped implementations without touching unrelated logic.
Testability: Helpers can be unit-tested/mocked separately (e.g., save wiring vs. field hydration).
Readability & reviewability: Smaller functions make diffs localized and safer to merge.
Alternatives considered:
Larger rewrite (e.g., convert to a class or React/TS component) — too invasive for this task and riskier.
Event-driven re-architecture with a central mediator — higher payoff but out of scope.
Declarative form binding library — adds dependencies and complexity.
I chose the minimum-risk refactor that achieves the maintainability goal within the assignment constraints.

3.1: How did you trigger the refactored code path from the UI?

Started NodeBB and navigated to Admin → Settings (/admin/settings).
DevTools → Console open.
Observed the temporary marker log HYATT_PREPARE_START on page load → proves Settings.prepare ran.
Edited a setting (toggle a checkbox / change a text field) → bindUnsavedChange set app.flags._unsaved = true.
Clicked Save → wireSaveButton validated via settings.check, called existing saveFields, and showed the success state (saved UI flash via Settings.toggleSaveSuccess).
Clicked Revert → verified page reload path is unchanged.

3.2: (Please reference screenshot above in original comment )

3.3: