CODEWITHSUNDEEP
node.jsbotframework
Cerulean
Cerulean

Reputation: 6013

How to send welcome message AND load a specific dialog automatically in Microsoft Bot Framework v.3 (Node.js)?

I'm trying both to show a welcome message when my bot starts up and also load a specific dialog. We are using version 3 in the company where I'm working (I know, it's old and not supported).

As far as the welcome message, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bot-service/nodejs/bot-builder-nodejs-handle-conversation-events?view=azure-bot-service-3.0 says to use on conversationUpdate, which works fine, but this seems to be contradicted by https://blog.botframework.com/2018/07/12/how-to-properly-send-a-greeting-message-and-common-issues-from-customers/, which suggests one should not use conversationUpdate, except when using DirectLine, but instead send an event. Is this the final word on the matter? Is there a better way?

I'd also like to load a dialog automatically after the welcome message. How do I do this? Can I access the session during the 'on conversationUpdate' event above and load the dialog directly there? Is there a better way?

Thanks for any help!

Upvotes: 0

Views: 373

Answers (1)

Steven Kanberg
Steven Kanberg

Reputation: 6393

It is contradictory, but conversationUpdate is likely your best bet in most situations. However, because channels handle this differently, you should be aware that the result can vary. For direct line, it is a better option to utilize sending events.

An example, in case of need:

bot.on('conversationUpdate', function(message) {
  if (message.membersAdded) {
    message.membersAdded.forEach(function(identity) {
      if (identity.id === message.address.bot.id) {
        var reply = new builder.Message()
          .address(message.address)
          .text("Welcome");
        bot.send(reply);
      }
    });
  }
});

For immediately calling a specific dialog, do this:

bot.on('conversationUpdate', function (message) {
  if (message.membersAdded) {
    message.membersAdded.forEach(function (identity) {
      if (identity.id === message.address.bot.id) {
        bot.beginDialog(message.address, '/main');
      }
    });
  }
});

bot.dialog('/main', [
  function (session, args, next) {
    session.send("Glad you could join.");
    session.beginDialog('/next');
  }
]);

Simply combine the two for sending the welcome message and starting up a dialog.

Hope of help!

Upvotes: 1

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