Sending replies in sequential execution order

[aminebenkeroum]

Hello everyone,

I am currently splitting my replies into an array, because the length is superior to 320, but I can't send them in order :

let answers = currentQuestion.answer.split("\n"); answers.forEach( (answer) => { reply({"text": answer}, (err) =>{ })

In Messenger, I'm receiving them in a random order, I looked a bit around Promises, is there any way I can use them ?

Thank you

[remixz]

I'd try using a library like async, which allows you to do operations over an iterable like an array, but with callbacks so you can guarantee an order. For your use case, I'd do something like:

let answers = currentQuestion.answer.split('\n');
async.eachSeries(answers, (answer, cb) => {
  reply({ text: answer }, cb);
}, (err) => {
  // this function is called either when all the answers have been sent, or if an error is thrown
  if (err) {
    // deal with err
  }
})

[aminebenkeroum]

I did the same with the Promise API, But it seems that the bug is coming from Facebook :) there is no queues in sending messages.

const sendingInOrder = (message,reply) => { return new Promise( function (resolve, reject) { reply({text:message},error =>{ if(!error) { setTimeout(()=>{ resolve({success: "Message sent"}); },6000) } else reject(error); // failure }) }); }

[glittle]

I prepare what I want to send in an array of strings, then call this:

const maxAnswerLength = 319;

function sendAllAnswers(answers, profileId, originalAnswers) {
  if (!originalAnswers) {
    originalAnswers = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(answers));
  }

  var keepGoing = true;

  if (answers.length) {
    // assume no single text is too long
    var answerText = answers.shift();

    for (var i = 0; keepGoing; i++) {
      if (!answers.length // past the end
          || (answerText && (answerText + answers[0]).length > maxAnswerLength)
          || answers[0] === '') {

        bot.sendMessage(profileId, { text: answerText }, (err) => {
          if (err) {
            console.log(err);
            console.log(answerText);
          } else {
            console.log(`Sent: ${answerText}`)
            setTimeout(function () {
              sendAllAnswers(answers, profileId, originalAnswers);
            }, 500);
          }
        });
        keepGoing = false;
      } else {
        answerText = [answerText, answers.shift()].join('\n');
      }
    }
  }
}

This basically combines as many short strings from the array as possible and sends them out, pausing for 1/2 second between each. I usually send out between 1 and 3 messages. So far this has worked well.

[codenaz]

I am not good with Javascript but you can try this. Works well and also gives you the typing bubble so the user knows you are still typing

	            var messages = ['Hello','How are you'];		
			bot.sendSenderAction(payload.sender.id, 'typing_on');
			
			async.eachSeries(messages,(message,cb)=>{
				setTimeout(
					function(){
						reply({text:message},cb);
					},2000);
				bot.sendSenderAction(payload.sender.id, 'typing_on');
			},(err)=>{
				if(err){
					console.log(err);
				}
			});