Creating a dynamic list in rule machine

[Keo]

Hey all,

I want to add a contact device name to a list variable if it’s open for longer than 2 minutes. Then remove the contact server from the list once it’s closed. I know how to write an app to do it, but why rewrite something if it’s already been done?

[dadarkgtprince]

Have you tried using Notifier? You can have it monitor contact sensors and send a notification when it's been open/closed for X minutes

If you wanted to do it in RM, you could create a local variable and write to that. It will be messy though

[bertabcd1234]

@Keo

if it’s already been done?

Rule Machine doesn't have list/array/collection-type variables, so this will be pretty difficult. Your best (only?) option would probably be a String variable, but then you run into the problem that String operations are more limited than you'd probably need to be able to select/remove devices:

So, if it were me, I'd second the recommendation above to consider Notifications if it meets your needs. Otherwise, I'd explore that custom app idea more. A DeviceWrapperList or a List of DeviceWrappers (I have no idea how the former is implemented but it seems to do anything I've also asked of List) is mind-blowingly easy to manipulate or search through with the methods and closures Groovy provides (once you find the right one).

[Keo]

I found an app named "Device Groups" which allows you to do just as its name reads. So I grouped my contact sensors by room and used the sensor group name for my notifications. Now I can delay the notification per room. so I will only get notified once per room if any of the contact sensor remain open for an extended period of time.