Disable in GUI features which are not configured or operational in the server

[Don-Isdale]

Introduction

Pretzel is able to access a number of external databases, in particular Blast Databases for DNA Sequence Search, Fasta for DNA Sequence Lookup, and VCF Genotype databases. In setting up an instance of the Pretzel server, the system administrator can choose which of these are to be installed, and will configure the Pretzel server accordingly.
It is desirable to report this configuration information, and also the operational status of the server connection to these databases, to the Pretzel front-end web application so that the corresponding features can be enabled or disabled accordingly. Currently the user is always able to access these features, and if they are not configured or operational then an error is displayed.

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Planning

This feature is desirable in that it will streamline the user experience.
It doesn't impact on the functionality available, and so it is not a high priority, but to improved the on-boarding of new users and the efficient working of experienced users, it should be done as the opportunity presents.

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Design

• pretzel server to report to front-end GUI capabilities which are : configured and working.
  The configured status is easier to report, so this aspect can be implemented in the first instance.
• • do a blast request when server start to determine working status;
• • similar for samtools, vcf, ...