Chart Shortcode In Rock RMS Modifies External Variables

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Chart Shortcode Modifies External Variables: A Deep Dive into Rock RMS Behavior

Hey guys! Ever stumble upon a weird bug that just throws a wrench into your workflow? Well, that's what happened to me recently while working with charts in Rock RMS. Specifically, the chart shortcode started messing with external variables, which was a real head-scratcher. In this article, we'll dive deep into this issue, explore how it manifests, and what you can do to avoid it. We'll be looking at the nitty-gritty of the problem, how to reproduce it, and the potential impact it has on your Rock RMS dashboards. Let's get into it!

The Heart of the Matter: Variable Scope and Shortcodes

So, what's the deal? It all boils down to how Rock RMS handles variable scope when using shortcodes, especially the chart shortcode. In essence, the chart shortcode seems to be using variable names that clash with variables you might have already defined in your Lava templates. When the shortcode does its thing, it inadvertently modifies the values of these external variables, leading to unexpected behavior and potentially breaking your dashboards. This is a classic example of a scope issue, where variables defined within a certain context (the shortcode, in this case) unintentionally affect variables outside that context. Understanding this is key to grasping the core of the problem and figuring out how to work around it. This is a crucial element to understand as you develop within the Rock RMS environment. The problem emerged after upgrading to version 17, and it is crucial to find a solution.

This behavior is particularly problematic because it violates the principle of least astonishment. As developers, we expect variables defined outside a shortcode to remain untouched after the shortcode is executed. When that expectation is broken, it can lead to confusion, debugging nightmares, and a general lack of trust in the system. The fact that this was not an issue in previous versions of Rock RMS (v16 and earlier) further adds to the frustration. It introduces a breaking change that requires careful attention and potential code modifications to avoid unexpected side effects. We need to look at what's going on under the hood and how we can work around this issue until the core problem is addressed. Let's dig in deeper and see how this all plays out in practice.

Unveiling the Bug: Steps to Reproduce and Actual vs. Expected Behavior

To really understand the issue, let's walk through the steps to reproduce it. This will give you a hands-on understanding of how the bug manifests and what the actual vs. expected behavior looks like. Here's a breakdown:

  1. Set up your Lava: Start by creating an HTML block in Rock RMS and paste the Lava code provided in the original bug report. This code sets up some variables (type, gaugeLimits, backgroundColor) and then displays their values before and after calling the chart shortcode. It also uses the chart shortcode multiple times to create three gauge charts.
  2. Observe the Before and After: The critical part is to pay close attention to the values of the variables before and after each chart shortcode call. You'll notice that the type, gaugeLimits, and backgroundColor variables change after the first chart is rendered. The other charts don't show up.
  3. The Unexpected Twist: The unexpected behavior is that the values of the external variables are modified inside the chart shortcode. This is not what we want. We expect the variables defined outside the shortcode to remain unaffected.

The provided Lava code clearly demonstrates the bug. It creates three gauge charts, but the values of type, gaugeLimits, and backgroundColor are modified after the first chart is rendered. The subsequent charts do not display correctly because of the variable modifications. This highlights the scope issue that makes troubleshooting a real headache. To reproduce the issue, you will need to add an HTML block to a page with the provided Lava code, then see how the variables are modified.

The Impact: Broken Dashboards and Frustrating Debugging

So, why should you care about this bug? Well, the impact of this issue can be significant. First off, it can break your dashboards. If your charts rely on variables that are inadvertently modified by the chart shortcode, your charts will not display correctly, leading to incorrect or misleading information. This can be particularly problematic if you have dashboards that are used for critical decision-making. Imagine relying on a chart that gives you the wrong information – not a good scenario!

Secondly, this bug can make debugging a nightmare. When your charts are not working as expected, the first thing you'll likely do is check the values of your variables. But, if the chart shortcode is modifying those variables behind the scenes, you may spend hours trying to figure out what's going on, only to find out that the root cause is the chart shortcode itself. This can lead to wasted time, frustration, and a general sense of unease when working with the system. That's why understanding this issue and how to avoid it is crucial for anyone working with Rock RMS. It can save you a lot of headaches in the long run. Let's delve into the problem further by looking at the details that cause the problem.

Analyzing the Problem: Variable Name Collisions and Scope Leakage

What's actually happening under the hood? It seems the chart shortcode uses variable names that collide with names you might be using in your Lava templates. When the shortcode is executed, it modifies the values of these variables, which then