Thank you to the DHIS2 core team for all the incredible work modernizing the platform. In EyeSeeTeaIwe fully appreciate the need to ensure long-term sustainability, security, and performance.
That said, I would like to join others here in expressing our deep concern about the retirement of JavaScript support in custom forms without providing an equivalent alternative—such as a plugin system for the Data Entry app, similar to what has been offered in the Capture app.
For many implementations, especially in the aggregate domain, JavaScript-enabled custom forms have been the only way to deliver essential usability and validation requirements that are not yet natively supported by DHIS2. These range from dynamic validation and conditional field logic to advanced user interface improvements that are critical for large and complex data collection forms. The removal of JS support could seriously compromise user experience and data quality for these long-standing instances.
While we fully support the principles of security and maintainability, we also believe that removing key extensibility features without providing an upgrade path risks fragmenting the community. Many implementations may have no choice but to freeze on v41 or invest heavily in custom app development—options that may be unfeasible for low-resource settings.
Just as the Capture app has embraced a plugin architecture to balance core modernization with local customization needs, we would strongly advocate for a similar extensibility model for the new Data Entry app. This would allow the community to continue innovating without compromising platform integrity.
We encourage the core team to consider:
- A phased approach to JS deprecation, ideally maintaining support while a plugin model matures.
- A community consultation process to gather concrete use cases where JavaScript remains essential.
- Clear timelines and guidance for how existing functionality can be replicated or replaced in the new app ecosystem.
DHIS2 has always thrived because of the balance between a robust core and the flexibility to meet diverse local needs. We hope we can find a solution that preserves this spirit as we move forward.