Build output serial number docs (#12486)

* Remove serial number restriction when creating build outputs

* Updated docs

* additional docs

src/backend/InvenTree/build/serializers.py

@@ -441,13 +441,6 @@ class BuildOutputCreateSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
         quantity = data['quantity']
         serial_numbers = data.get('serial_numbers', '')
 
-        if part.trackable and not serial_numbers:
-            raise ValidationError({
-                'serial_numbers': _(
-                    'Serial numbers must be provided for trackable parts'
-                )
-            })
-
         if serial_numbers:
             try:
                 self.serials = InvenTree.helpers.extract_serial_numbers(

src/backend/InvenTree/build/test_api.py

@@ -1388,6 +1388,35 @@ class BuildOutputCreateTest(BuildAPITest):
         # The new output must have a creation_date set
         self.assertIsNotNone(part.stock_items.order_by('-pk').first().creation_date)
 
+    def test_create_unserialized_output_trackable_part(self):
+        """A build output for a trackable part may be created without serial numbers.
+
+        This allows a batch quantity to be created (e.g. from an external build order)
+        which can be serialized at some later stage in the process.
+        """
+        build_id = 1
+        url = reverse('api-build-output-create', kwargs={'pk': build_id})
+
+        build = Build.objects.get(pk=build_id)
+        part = build.part
+
+        part.trackable = True
+        part.save()
+
+        n_outputs = build.output_count
+        n_items = part.stock_items.count()
+
+        # Create a single non-serialized output, even though the part is trackable
+        self.post(url, data={'quantity': 10}, expected_code=201)
+
+        # A single build output has been created (not one per unit of quantity)
+        self.assertEqual(n_outputs + 1, build.output_count)
+        self.assertEqual(n_items + 1, part.stock_items.count())
+
+        output = part.stock_items.order_by('-pk').first()
+        self.assertIsNone(output.serial)
+        self.assertEqual(output.quantity, 10)
+
 
 class BuildOutputScrapTest(BuildAPITest):
     """Unit tests for scrapping build outputs."""