Blank screen using Saved APL path in src property of document directive

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NewUser-f96d5249-a23a-43b7-a023-6ffea46d40e8 asked · Feb 23 at 06:47 PM

Blank screen using Saved APL path in src property of document directive

I'm sure I'm missing something. So my output json is this...

{

"body": {

"version": "1.0",

"response": {

"directives": [

{

"type": "Alexa.Presentation.APL.RenderDocument",

"token": "RandomToken",

"document": {

"type": "Link",

"src": "doc://alexa/apl/documents/test1"

},

"timeoutType": "SHORT"

}

],

"type": "_DEFAULT_RESPONSE"

}

Looking through the documentation, this doesn't look like I'm missing anything, however in the Test simulator, the screen never displays anything. No text or images even though the APL builder displays just like I need it. The test path above actually is just one of the canned ones as I try to debug if its something in my modified one or if I can get anything back. The fact that the canned template returns blank tells me, I'm probably missing some required property or section, but I have no idea what it is. Any help is appreciated.

apl

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NewUser-f96d5249-a23a-43b7-a023-6ffea46d40e8 · Feb 23 at 08:26 PM

To clarify, I opened one of the "Cheese" templates in the APL builder tool. Saved the file as "test1". Rebuilt my skill, then tried the above response directive. That is what resulted in a blank screen. It appears the datasource directive is optional, but should already be included in the APL if using the builder(at least thats my understanding). Someone can let me know if this is incorrect thinking. Again, a big thanks if anyone can see what I'm missing. (Alexa does not throw any errors or inform me of an incorrect response, just the json output in my original post)

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Answer 1 · 2021-02-23T22:27:39Z

Alexander Martin answered · Feb 23 at 10:27 PM

Hey,

even if there is no clear information in the documentation i assume that you have to pass the datasources in the directive to make your document work.

Regards,

Alex

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NewUser-f96d5249-a23a-43b7-a023-6ffea46d40e8 · Feb 23 at 10:55 PM

I just figured that out when looking at the debug output. The datasource is empty, even though the default is "Payload". So is it possible to do a datasource link(similar to referencing a link to the actual APL document) that I created in the APL designer, or do I need to put that whole datasource json template in the return json.

I am such a noob at this...but making progress.

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Alexander Martin NewUser-f96d5249-a23a-43b7-a023-6ffea46d40e8 · Feb 24 at 10:48 PM

Datasources allow you to enrich your APL document with dynamic values at runtime, for this reason there is most likely no link possibility as it exists with a document. If your APL document doesn't need dynamic information you could also directly put everything statically in your APL document? Or not? :)

The payload parameter in your template holds a reference to your datasources.

There are many examples on apl.ninja that show how to use your datasources inside an APL document. https://apl.ninja/explore?q=tag%3AData%2520Sources

Regards,

Alex

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Blank screen using Saved APL path in src property of document directive

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