OpenWB MQTT Message Topics: A Feature Request

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OpenWB MQTT Message Topics: A Feature Request

Hey guys! Let's dive into a cool feature request for the OpenWB integration with MQTT. This is all about how OpenWB sends system messages and how we can make the whole thing even better. We're talking about making the integration super flexible when dealing with those messages, especially when the topics might change. So, grab a coffee (or your favorite beverage), and let's get started!

The Lowdown on OpenWB and MQTT Messages

Okay, so here's the deal. OpenWB uses MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) to send out system messages. These messages are super important – they tell you things like, "Hey, the wallbox needs a restart!" or other crucial system updates. The issue, as pointed out by ChristophCaina in a discussion (check it out here: https://github.com/ChristophCaina/openwb2mqtt/discussions/3), is that the topic of these messages can be a bit… dynamic. The last part of the topic, in particular, seems to be variable. The existing integration should ideally be able to gracefully handle variations in the topic's structure. It should be designed to handle and process the messages within the topic, regardless of the constantly changing parameters.

Imagine this: You've got your OpenWB system set up, and it's happily sending messages via MQTT. But, the topic for these messages isn't always the same. It might look something like openWB/system/messages/1762527574575. The number at the end? That's the part that can change. This means that if your integration is rigidly configured to listen to a specific topic, you might miss important messages. That's no good, right? Instead, what we really need is a more flexible approach. The integration needs to be able to subscribe to a broader topic, such as openWB/system/messages/..../{payload}, ignoring the variable part at the end. This ensures that we capture every important message, no matter how the topic is formatted.

Practical Example and Message Structure

Let's break it down with an example. Suppose a message comes in with the topic openWB/system/messages/1762527574575. Inside that message, you might find something like this:

{
    "message": "Bitte die openWB <a href=\"/openWB/web/settings/#/System/SystemConfiguration\">neu starten</a>, damit die Ă„nderungen ĂĽbernommen werden.",
    "source": "command",
    "timestamp": 1762527574,
    "type": "success"
}

This is a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) payload. It contains a message that tells you what's up (in this case, restart the OpenWB), the source of the message (where it came from), a timestamp (when it was sent), and the type of the message (in this case, a success message). The core of this request is about making sure that the integration doesn't miss this message just because the number at the end of the topic changes. It is a simple concept, but the impact is significant when ensuring that the integration always receives the latest updates.

The Core of the Feature Request: Flexibility and Robustness

So, what's the big ask here? The feature request is all about making the OpenWB integration more robust and flexible when dealing with MQTT message topics. It's about designing the integration to handle those changing topic structures. The main objective is to make the integration able to work flawlessly, even when the topic formats are unpredictable. Instead of being locked into a specific topic, the integration should subscribe to a broader topic pattern. It should be able to listen to a more general topic and then filter the messages as needed. The idea is that it must capture all the messages and not miss any of the important information.

This kind of flexibility is super important because it future-proofs the integration. If OpenWB changes how it formats its message topics in the future, the integration will still work. It's like building a bridge strong enough to withstand any weather. You want to make sure the bridge is built to last and can handle any kind of traffic that comes along.

Benefits of Implementing this Feature

  • Improved Reliability: The integration will be more reliable because it won't miss messages due to topic changes.
  • Enhanced Future-Proofing: It will be better prepared for future updates to the OpenWB system.
  • Simplified Configuration: Users won't have to constantly update the integration's settings if the topics change.
  • Better User Experience: Users will have a smoother experience because they won't miss important system notifications.

By implementing this feature, we're essentially making the integration more resilient and easier to use. It's all about making sure that everything works smoothly, no matter what changes might come down the line. It's a win-win for everyone involved!

Technical Considerations and Implementation

Okay, let's get into some of the technical details. How might this feature be implemented? Well, the core idea is to use a wildcard or a pattern matching system when subscribing to MQTT topics. MQTT brokers support wildcards, which allow you to subscribe to multiple topics with a single subscription. For example, the + wildcard can match a single level of the topic hierarchy, and the # wildcard can match multiple levels.

In this case, the suggested approach is to use the # wildcard. This would mean subscribing to a topic like openWB/system/messages/#. This tells the MQTT broker to send all messages that start with openWB/system/messages/ to the integration. It doesn't matter what comes after that; the integration will receive the message. The integration then parses and processes the messages according to the content of the payload.

Example Implementation Steps

  1. Subscription: The integration subscribes to openWB/system/messages/#.
  2. Message Reception: When a message is published to a topic like openWB/system/messages/1762527574575, the integration receives it.
  3. Payload Parsing: The integration parses the JSON payload of the message.
  4. Message Processing: The integration processes the message based on its content (e.g., displaying the message to the user, logging the message, etc.).

Potential Challenges and Solutions

One potential challenge is how to handle multiple messages that might be sent at the same time. The integration needs to be able to process these messages without getting bogged down or missing any. The solution is often to use a queue or a thread pool to handle message processing asynchronously. Another challenge is the proper error handling in case the message format is unexpected. The integration should gracefully handle errors and log them appropriately. This makes debugging easier and prevents the integration from crashing.

Conclusion: Making OpenWB Integration More Robust

So there you have it, guys! This feature request is all about making the OpenWB integration more robust and adaptable. By allowing the integration to subscribe to a broader range of MQTT topics, we can ensure that we don't miss any important messages, even if the topic formats change. This is all about ensuring that users receive system updates and notifications reliably. It's about ensuring a seamless user experience.

Implementing this feature enhances the reliability and future-proofs the integration. The technical implementation is relatively straightforward, using MQTT wildcards to subscribe to the relevant topics. The whole point is to make the system more flexible. I'm all in! What do you guys think? Let's discuss in the comments section below! What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to share any other ideas that will add to the overall experience. Let's make this integration even better!