How to handle options object sent by dc.beginDialog to other component dialog - node.js

Question

In componentdialog A I have:
case '#trial': {
return await step.beginDialog(LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG, { intent: '#trial' });
That starts componentdialog B
In componentdialog B I need the intent to 'customize' the dialog.
class LeadCaptureDialog extends ComponentDialog {
constructor() {
super(LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG);
this.addDialog(new TextPrompt(NAME_PROMPT));
this.addDialog(new WaterfallDialog(WATERFALL_DIALOG, [
this.getNameStep.bind(this),
]));
this.initialDialogId = WATERFALL_DIALOG;
}
async getNameStep(stepContext) {
console.log(arguments[0]);
await stepContext.context.sendActivity('Message varies based on the intent send in the options object in beginDialog');
return await stepContext.prompt(NAME_PROMPT, 'What is your name?');
I only have the arguments object and the options object (with the intent) is indeed in there. I trust there must be a more efficient way to use the (optional) options object in beginDialog.
Does anyone know how?

Answer 1

This is easier in Node than C#, since stepContext.options is just a JSON object and there's no typing (if you're using TypeScript, it's better to create an Interface, similar to the C# example below).
Send The Intent to Your LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG
await stepContext.beginDialog(LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG, { intent: '#trial' });
Capture it in stepContext.options of LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG
const intent = stepContext.options["intent"];
C# Version, since I accidentally answered with this, first
You have two options:
1. Create a new Class/Model
(as #MattStannett suggested) This is the option likely considered "best practice".
Create MyObject.cs
namespace MyBot
{
public class MyObject
{
public string Intent { get; set; }
}
}
Send The Intent to Your LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG
await stepContext.BeginDialogAsync(LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG, new MyObject() { Intent = "#trial" });
Capture it in stepContext.Options of LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG
var intent = (stepContext.Options as MyObject).Intent;
2. Use an Anonymous Object
await stepContext.BeginDialogAsync(LEAD_CAPTURE_DIALOG, new { Intent = "#trial" });
var intent = stepContext.Options.GetType().GetProperty("Intent").GetValue(stepContext.Options, null);
// OR with C#4+:
var intent = (stepContext.Options as dynamic).Intent;