lava will continue to flow down slopes after the source block is gone. This mostly happens when it is flowing down a hill or incline of some sort.
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"intended" can you elaborate? It is in my, and many players opinion, hindering gameplay. Does intended mean it is a gameplay decision, or does it mean it is currently programmed this way and there is no time/plans to improve this?
I'm pretty sure everyone who was used working with lava has run into problems with this, because I believe it used to update a lot better in (much) older versions, back in the day, so to speak.
I would like to know if this is possibly going to get improved, or not.
Intended as in the current functionality of the lava flow is not considered to be erroneous. However, this does not mean that it will not change in the future. Note though that requests for changing 'intended' behaviours should be posted on the MC forums (here).
The wiki says that after the lava source block is removed, it has a possibility to stay there. However, in game if it is flowing down a hill or sometimes on a flat surface, the lava stays there 100% of the time. If this behavior is intended I suggest it isn't. Yes it does make survival more difficult, yet in creative mode people use lava all the time to build. It does get very annoying to have to place 30 blocks down to completely remove the lava from the area.
This behaviour is intended. See wiki here for details.