Smart Value Computations

Question

Updated Problem Statement:

Need help on the syntax for the computing date difference between current time (now) and a pre-set datetime (Need By Date).

Variable: Need By Date (DateTime)

Simplified Trigger. Trigger is working and runs a query every five minutes. Objective is to compute the test hours remaining in every issue.

1. {{now.diff("Need By Date").hours}}

No Errors on the automation but returns a null result.

2. {{(now).diff("Need By Date").hours}}

Error on execution.

3. {{"Need By Date".diff(now).hours}}

Working but negative results.

4. {{"Need By Date".diff(now).hours.multiply(-1)}}

Works perfectly fine.

I need to put an extra process on my computation just to get the desired result.

My question is what would be the correct syntax if i reverse my variables (1 and 2)  instead of the (3,4) approach.

Bill Sheboy · Answer

What type of project is this: company-managed or team-managed?  You may find that information at the lower-left of the page expanding area.

And if this is team-managed, did you add this custom field yourself to the project?

Ray Balmeo Cagayon · Answer

@Bill Sheboy ,

That's a custom field of type date / time?

Option 4 is working for me. I just don't understand that why i can't do that in reverse.

Bill Sheboy · Answer

Thanks for that information, Ray.

There are known problems having now first in a diff() expression, although there does not seem to be consistency of the symptoms (according to community posts).  Additionally, there is a known problem where it diff() does not work accurately inside of an iterator / loop.

You note "Need By Date" is a variable date / time.  Do you mean it is a created variable in the rule or that it is a custom field of type date / time?