Converters#
A Converter transforms the output value of one task into another value or type suitable as the input of another task.
The Converters window supports multiple converters in sequence. Each converter processes the output from the previous one, creating a chain.
Prerequisites#
Converters operate between two IoT tasks within an Automation Controller. The Automation Controller must include at least two tasks that exchange data or control flow.
Sequence of steps#
-
Link at least two tasks in a flow.
Select the link and choose Converters.
-
In the Converters wizard, select the Add icon (+) on the left to create a new converter.
-
Enter the specific settings detailed in each converter's page.
-
Select Save and Close.
The link now displays an icon indicating that a converter is configured.
Failure Behavior#
When a Converter cannot process its input, it fails. When that happens, the Automation Controller:
- Records the error in the converter log, together with the converter's configuration and the details of what went wrong.
- Reports the error so that it appears in monitoring and can be picked up by any task set up to handle errors (for example, an error-handler task).
- Produces no value for the next task. Because the next task receives no input, it does not run for that event. The values that other links deliver to the same next task in the same emission are discarded as well, while links to other tasks are not affected.
There is no automatic fallback for the chain as a whole. Each converter decides what to do with invalid input: stop with an error, return a default value, or log the problem and continue. Check each converter's Invalid Input table for its specific behavior. The most common patterns are:
| Pattern | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stop on invalid input | Fails and stops the link for that event. | JSONata, Buffer Slice, Epoch to DateTime |
| Configurable fallback | Returns a default value unless configured to fail. | Object Property when failIfNotFound is false |
| Log and continue | Writes an error to the log but still sends a value to the next task. | String to Entity Instance |
Table 1: Failure patterns across converters
Available Converters#
The following Converters are available: