Automations: how to use a variable inside a smart value list.get()

[Eric Rodewald]

I am trying to pull a random item out of an array from a json webhook request. I've got the following done:

1. create variables rand, listSize, newIndex
2. run the webhook request, delay for response
3. (works) set rand to:

   {{#=}}RANDOM(){{/}}

4. (works) set listSize to:

   {{webhookResponse.body.size}}

5. (works) set newIndex to:

   {{#=}}FLOOR({{listSize}} * {{rand}}){{/}}

6. (works) verify this index is not a string by setting newIndex again to:

   {{newIndex.asNumber}}

7. (fails) obtain by the new index with:

   {{webhookResponse.body.get(newIndex)}

Unfortunately, this doesn't work at all. I've tried variations like:

{{webhookResponse.body.get({{newIndex}})}} 

 When I just use a raw literal number, it works fine. e.g.,

{{webhookResponse.body.get(0)}} 

Not really helpful if I'm building a random function, basically.

Am I missing some nuance about the syntax here? Thanks

[Charlie Mullins]

Has this been resolved? Im having the same problems

[Sam Harding]

Hi Eric,

Thank you for your patience waiting on an answer for your problem. We have been looking into it, and trying to find a solution for your use case. Unfortunately, the current implementation of custom variables only allows for storing of values as strings. So 'newIndex' in your rule is always evaluated as a string, regardless of its original type. This is a limitation we are aware of, and is something we are working towards solving. 

Within that limitation, I do not believe there is a way for you to do what you are wanting. I have raised this internally with the team, and we will hopefully be able to provide the functionality you are wanting in the near future.

Thanks

[Eric Rodewald]

Thanks for responding. I started to realize that and abandoned this technique, but even if there was a "JSON.parse()"-esque function that could be used to parse and obtain a value, it could be used inline in a way that doesn't require persisting it as an object.

For what it's worth, I made a naive version of this where I store a number of strings in variables and then used a random function to traverse through several conditionals to select a value.

Looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with for a better long term solution.

[Priska Aprilia]

Hi @Sam Harding 
Is there any update on this limitation?
I ran into the similar situation where I have two separate lists with the same length and there is a need to get the item of the second list based on the current index of the first list. Hence I need a function where I get pass a variable in the get() function.

Thanks,
Priska

[Gordon Thomas]

Have you tried the following?

{{webhookResponse.body.get(newIndex.asNumber)}

[Deiser Service Team]

Hi. Gordon.

It does not work either. By any reason the 'get' function only can be used with fixed numbers. I have the same issue.

Actually, in no function with numeric parameters (charAt, left, etc.) you can use a variable, even with 'asNumer' sufix.

Smartvalues is a real pain for developers.

[Gordon Thomas]

Smartvalues is a real pain for developers.

There are few statements truer than this. 

The inconsistency in the conditions under which different methods/expressions operate, combined with the limitations on using different data structures...

It feels like every single possible permutation of expressions has to be tested individually to determine if it will be interpreted correctly.

[Sebastian Krzyzanowski]

Just wasted a day of my life to get an list index to be stored inside a variable... only to find out, I can't set FixVersion with a certain version by accessing the list of versions with the help of my variable. 

I hate days like this 🙁

Failed to get value for issue.project.versions.get({{myindex: {{issue.project.versions.get({{myindex}})}}