Fix: Configurables Not Working In VSCode With WSO2 SI

Aug 15, 2025 by Axel Sørensen 54 views

Troubleshooting Configurables Not Working in VSCode with WSO2 Streaming Integrator

Hey guys! Have you ever run into a situation where your configurables just don't seem to be working within VSCode when using the WSO2 Streaming Integrator (SI)? It's a frustrating issue, but don't worry, we're going to break it down and get you back on track. In WSO2 SI, setting up configurables in the deployment.yaml file is essential for customizing your Siddhi applications. These configurables allow you to define things like data sources and endpoints, making your apps flexible and adaptable. Typically, this setup works smoothly when you deploy your Siddhi apps directly to the server. However, when you're developing and testing within VSCode, you might encounter errors that prevent these configurables from being recognized. This article will explore a common problem where configurables defined in the deployment.yaml file aren't being properly loaded when running Siddhi applications within VSCode. We'll walk through the issue, the steps to reproduce it, and potential solutions to ensure your configurables work seamlessly in your development environment. By understanding the root cause and how to address it, you can streamline your development process and avoid these common pitfalls.

Problem Description

The main issue is that when you run a Siddhi App within VSCode, it sometimes fails to recognize the configurables defined in the deployment.yaml file. This is particularly problematic because the deployment.yaml file is where you specify crucial configurations, such as data source connections and HTTP endpoints. When these configurables aren't loaded correctly, your Siddhi App won't be able to connect to external systems or receive data as intended. This leads to errors and prevents your application from running properly within the VSCode environment. To better illustrate the problem, consider a scenario where you've defined an HTTP source in your Siddhi App and configured its properties in the deployment.yaml file. When running the app directly on the SI server, everything works as expected. However, when you try to run the same app within VSCode, you get an error message indicating that the source element is not defined in the configurations file. This discrepancy highlights a common challenge in WSO2 SI development: ensuring that configurables are correctly loaded and applied regardless of the deployment environment. Understanding why this happens and how to resolve it is crucial for a smooth development workflow. This issue can significantly slow down your development process, making it difficult to test and debug your Siddhi applications efficiently. Let’s dive deeper into the steps to reproduce this issue and explore the underlying reasons why it occurs.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

To really understand the problem, let's walk through a step-by-step guide on how to reproduce the issue. This way, you can see the error for yourself and better grasp the context. We'll start by creating a simple Siddhi App, then configuring it to use configurables, and finally, running it in VSCode to observe the error. Follow these steps carefully, and you'll be able to replicate the issue in your own environment. This hands-on approach will give you a clear understanding of the problem and make it easier to apply the solutions we'll discuss later. By reproducing the issue, you'll gain valuable insights into how WSO2 SI handles configurables and how VSCode interacts with the SI server. This knowledge will be beneficial for troubleshooting similar issues in the future. Let's get started!

Create a Siddhi App: First, create a new Siddhi App in your preferred location. This app will simulate a simple data processing scenario. Copy and paste the following code into a new .siddhi file:
```
@App:name('SiddhiApp')
@App:description('Description of the plan')

@source(ref = 'http-passthrough', @map(type='json'))
define stream SweetProductionStream (name string,amount double);

@sink(type='log',
	@map(type='json'))
define stream ProductionAlertStream (name string,amount double);

@info(name='query')
from SweetProductionStream 
select name,sum(amount) as amount 
insert  into ProductionAlertStream;
```
This Siddhi App defines a stream named SweetProductionStream that receives data via an HTTP source (http-passthrough). It also defines a stream named ProductionAlertStream that logs processed data. The query calculates the sum of the amount for each name and inserts the results into the ProductionAlertStream. This app uses a configurable source named http-passthrough, which we'll define in the deployment.yaml file.
Configure deployment.yaml: Next, you need to configure the deployment.yaml file to define the properties for the http-passthrough source. This file is typically located in the conf directory of your SI server. Paste the following configuration into your deployment.yaml file:

siddhi: refs: - ref: name: 'http-passthrough' type: 'http' properties: receiver.url: 'http://localhost:9091/hello/world' basic.auth.enabled: false ```

This configuration defines a reference named `http-passthrough` with the type `http`. It specifies the `receiver.url` as `http://localhost:9091/hello/world` and disables basic authentication. This is where the **configurables** for your HTTP source are defined. The SI server uses these properties to configure the HTTP listener when the app is deployed. Make sure this `deployment.yaml` file is placed in the directory that your VSCode plugin is configured to use as the server location. This is a critical step to ensure that the VSCode plugin can access the **configurables**.

Run the Siddhi App in VSCode: Now, open the Siddhi App in VSCode and run it using the WSO2 SI plugin. Ensure that your VSCode plugin is configured to point to the correct SI server location, where the deployment.yaml file is located. If the plugin is not properly configured, it won't be able to load the configurables from the deployment.yaml file. When you run the app, you should see an error message similar to the following:

io.siddhi.core.exception.SiddhiAppCreationException: Error on 'SiddhiApp' @ Line: 4. Position: 52, near '@source(ref = 'http-passthrough', @map(type='json'))'. The source element of the name 'http-passthrough' is not defined in the configurations file. ```

This error indicates that the Siddhi App is unable to find the `http-passthrough` source defined in the **configurables**. This is the core issue we're addressing. The VSCode plugin is not correctly loading the **configurables** from the `deployment.yaml` file, causing the Siddhi App to fail during deployment. This error message is your key indicator that the issue is related to how **configurables** are being loaded in the VSCode environment.

By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the issue and confirm that your environment is experiencing the same problem. Now that we've seen the issue in action, let's discuss the underlying reasons why this happens and how we can fix it.

Root Cause Analysis

So, why does this happen? The root cause of the issue lies in how the VSCode plugin handles configurables compared to how the SI server does it. When you run a Siddhi App directly on the SI server, the server reads the deployment.yaml file and loads all the configurables into its runtime environment. This ensures that when the Siddhi App is deployed, it can access these configurables and use them to configure its sources, sinks, and other components. However, the VSCode plugin might not always replicate this behavior perfectly. It might not be fully reading the deployment.yaml file or might be using a different configuration loading mechanism. This discrepancy can lead to the Siddhi App not finding the configurables it needs, resulting in the error we saw earlier. One common reason for this is that the VSCode plugin might be using a different working directory or configuration path than the SI server. This means it's looking for the deployment.yaml file in the wrong place or using a default configuration that doesn't include your custom configurables. Another potential cause is that the plugin might not be fully compatible with the version of the SI server you're using. There could be differences in how configurables are handled between different versions, leading to inconsistencies. Understanding these potential causes is crucial for finding the right solution. It's also important to consider that the VSCode plugin might have its own settings that affect how configurables are loaded. These settings might need to be adjusted to ensure that the plugin behaves consistently with the SI server. By digging into these details, we can pinpoint the exact reason why your configurables aren't working in VSCode and develop a targeted solution. Let's move on to discussing some potential fixes and workarounds.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

Okay, guys, let's talk solutions! Now that we understand the problem and its root causes, let's explore some potential fixes and workarounds. These solutions aim to ensure that your configurables are correctly loaded when running Siddhi Apps in VSCode. We'll cover a range of approaches, from checking plugin settings to adjusting configuration paths. By trying these solutions, you should be able to find one that works for your specific setup. Remember, the key is to make sure the VSCode plugin can access and correctly interpret your deployment.yaml file. This might involve tweaking the plugin's configuration, adjusting your project structure, or even updating the plugin itself. Let's dive in and see how we can get your configurables working smoothly in VSCode.

Verify VSCode Plugin Configuration: The first thing you should do is double-check your VSCode plugin settings. Ensure that the plugin is pointing to the correct SI server location. This location should be where your deployment.yaml file is stored. If the plugin is looking in the wrong directory, it won't be able to find your configurables. To check the settings, go to the VSCode settings (usually File > Preferences > Settings) and search for the WSO2 SI plugin settings. Look for an option like "Server Location" or "Configuration Path" and make sure it's pointing to the correct directory. If the path is incorrect, update it and restart VSCode to apply the changes. This is a common issue, so it's always a good first step. Also, make sure that any other relevant settings, such as the SI version, are correctly configured. Inconsistent settings can lead to unexpected behavior and prevent configurables from loading properly. Taking the time to verify these settings can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Check deployment.yaml Path: Sometimes, the issue isn't with the plugin settings, but with the way the deployment.yaml file is being accessed. Ensure that the path to your deployment.yaml file is correctly specified in any relevant configuration files or environment variables. If the path is incorrect, the VSCode plugin won't be able to load the configurables. You might need to adjust the path relative to your project directory or the SI server location. Double-check for typos or incorrect directory separators (e.g., using / instead of \ on Windows). A simple mistake in the path can prevent the plugin from finding the file. Additionally, make sure that the file actually exists at the specified path. It's easy to accidentally move or delete the file, so it's worth verifying its presence. If you're using any environment variables to specify the path, ensure that those variables are correctly set and accessible within the VSCode environment. Correcting the path to your deployment.yaml file is crucial for ensuring that your configurables are loaded correctly.
Restart VSCode and SI Server: This might sound simple, but sometimes a good old restart can do the trick! Restarting VSCode can clear any cached settings or configurations that might be causing the issue. Similarly, restarting the SI server can ensure that it reloads the deployment.yaml file and applies any changes you've made. This is a quick and easy step that can often resolve temporary glitches or inconsistencies. Close VSCode completely and then reopen it. For the SI server, you can either restart it through the command line or through its management console, depending on how you're running it. After restarting both, try running your Siddhi App again to see if the configurables are now being loaded correctly. While this might not be a permanent solution, it's a good troubleshooting step to rule out any transient issues. If the problem persists after restarting, you'll need to explore more in-depth solutions.
Plugin Compatibility: Make sure your VSCode plugin is compatible with the version of the WSO2 SI server you're using. Incompatibilities between the plugin and the server can lead to various issues, including problems with loading configurables. Check the plugin's documentation or release notes to see which SI server versions it supports. If you're using an older plugin, consider updating it to the latest version. Similarly, if you're using a newer SI server version, you might need to update the plugin to match. Using compatible versions ensures that the plugin can correctly interact with the server and load configurables as expected. If you're unsure about compatibility, try searching for known issues or discussions related to your specific plugin and server versions. This can help you identify potential compatibility problems and find solutions or workarounds. Keeping your plugin and server versions in sync is essential for a smooth development experience.
Manual Configuration (Workaround): If none of the above solutions work, you can try a manual configuration workaround. This involves explicitly defining the configurables within your Siddhi App code instead of relying on the deployment.yaml file. While this isn't ideal for long-term use, it can help you get your app running in VSCode for testing and development purposes. For example, instead of using the @source(ref = 'http-passthrough', @map(type='json')) annotation, you would define the source properties directly in the annotation: @source(type = 'http', receiver.url = 'http://localhost:9091/hello/world', basic.auth.enabled = 'false', @map(type='json')). This approach bypasses the need to load configurables from the deployment.yaml file. However, keep in mind that this workaround makes your Siddhi App less portable and harder to maintain, as the configurables are now hardcoded. It's best to use this only as a temporary solution while you investigate the underlying issue with the plugin or server configuration. Once you've resolved the issue, you should revert to using the deployment.yaml file for configurables to maintain a clean and manageable codebase.

By trying these solutions and workarounds, you should be able to get your configurables working in VSCode. Remember to systematically go through each solution and test if it resolves the issue. If you're still facing problems, it might be worth reaching out to the WSO2 community or support channels for further assistance. They might have encountered similar issues and can provide more specific guidance.

Conclusion

Alright, guys, we've covered a lot! Dealing with configurables not working in VSCode with WSO2 Streaming Integrator can be a pain, but hopefully, this article has given you a solid understanding of the issue and how to tackle it. We've walked through the problem, the steps to reproduce it, the root causes, and several potential solutions. The key takeaway here is that ensuring your VSCode plugin can correctly access and interpret the deployment.yaml file is crucial for your configurables to work. This often involves verifying plugin settings, checking file paths, and ensuring compatibility between the plugin and the SI server. If you're still running into trouble, don't hesitate to try the manual configuration workaround as a temporary fix. Remember, the goal is to streamline your development process and make it as efficient as possible. By addressing these configurables issues, you'll be able to develop and test your Siddhi Apps more effectively in VSCode. And, as always, if you hit a wall, the WSO2 community and support channels are there to help. Happy coding, and may your configurables always work as expected!