Code component

A component to run a piece of JavaScript code inside the integration.

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Description

A code component for the platform, runs a piece of a JavaScript code inside your integration flow.

How it Works

Pretty much the same way that you would use any other component in our system. It is deployed by default to production, so no need to deploy it yourself (although you could if you have extended it yourself). In our Dashboard start building your integration and include the Code component as well.

However, don’t let the simple look fool you - it has a full-fledged interface with useful features like the ones you would expect from your favourite desktop developing tool:

• Syntax highlighting - a standard for any online real-time coding interface
• Code auto-completion - again a standard that you got used to from your desktop tool
• Support for number of variables and libraries within the context of the execution
• Support latest ECMAScript standard
• Run and troubleshoot within the designer interface.

Technical Notes

The technical notes page gives some technical details about Code component like changelog.

Available Variables and Libraries

Here are the available variables and libraries that you can use within the context of execution. The most up-to-date list can always be found in be used within the context of execution or in code.js of the component. Below is a sample for the reference. Built-in Node.js global objects are also supported.

Platform Specific Functionality

• msg - incoming message containing the payload from the previous step
• cfg - step’s configuration. At the moment contains only one property: code (the code, being executed)
• snapshot - step’s snapshot
• messages - utility for convenient message creation
• emitter user to emit messages and errors

Other Libraries/functions

• wait(numberOfMilliscondsToSleep) - Utility function for sleeping
• request - Http Client (wrapped in co - this library so that it is pre-promisified)
• _ - Lodash
• strong-soap - SOAP client for invoking web services

Code component usage Examples

To use the code you can follow these examples:

async function run(msg) {
  console.log('Incoming message is %s', JSON.stringify(msg));
  const body = { result : 'Hello world!' };
  // You can emit as many data messages as required
  await this.emit('data', { body });
  console.log('Execution finished');
}

async function run(msg, cfg, snapshot) {
  return {
      addition: 'You can use code',
      keys: Object.keys(msg)
  };
}

Please note: If you have a simple one-in-one-out function you can return a JSON object as a result of your function, it will be automatically emitted as data.

Common usage scenarios

Doing complex data transformation

If you prefer to transform an incoming message with code then use following sample:

async function run(msg) => {
  addition : "You can use code",
  keys : Object.keys(msg)
}

Calling an external REST API

You can code a small REST API call out of the Code component, see following example:

const axios = require('axios');
async function run(msg) {
  const { data: res } = await axios.get('https://api.thatapp.io/v2/users/me', {
    auth: {
      username: process.env.ELASTICIO_API_USERNAME,
      password: process.env.ELASTICIO_API_KEY
    }
  });

  return {
    fullName: `${res.data.attributes.first_name} ${res.data.attributes.last_name}`,
    email: res.data.attributes.email,
    userID: res.data.id
  };
}

Calling a SOAP web service with strong-soap

The Code component exposes the strong-soap client as soap. You can call SOAP operations using async/await. Create the client with a small promise wrapper, then invoke methods (they return promises).

Basic SOAP call (WSDL URL and operation args from incoming message):

function createSoapClient(wsdlUrl, options = {}) {
  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
    soap.createClient(wsdlUrl, options, (err, client) => {
      if (err) reject(err);
      else resolve(client);
    });
  });
}

async function run(msg, cfg, snapshot) {
  const { wsdlUrl, operation, args } = msg.body;
  const client = await createSoapClient(wsdlUrl);
  const { result } = await client[operation](args || {});
  await this.emit('data', { body: result });
}

Calling a specific service and port:

If the WSDL defines multiple services or ports, use the ServiceName.PortName.MethodName form (use the same createSoapClient helper as in the examples above):

async function run(msg, cfg, snapshot) {
  const client = await createSoapClient(msg.body.wsdlUrl);
  const { result } = await client.MyService.MyPort.MyFunction({ name: msg.body.inputName });
  await this.emit('data', { body: result });
}

Known issues and limitations

• Credentials are not supported, please see Code component with Credentials.