String List Attributes Get Converted To LazySeq@...

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Introduction

The OpenTelemetry (OTEL) API is a widely-used framework for collecting and exporting telemetry data from applications. In Clojure, the steffan-westcott.clj-otel.api.attributes namespace provides a convenient way to create and manipulate attributes, which are key-value pairs that contain metadata about the telemetry data. However, when working with list attributes, a peculiar issue arises: the list attributes get converted to "LazySeq@..." strings instead of being serialized as actual collections. In this article, we will delve into the root cause of this issue and explore possible solutions.

The Issue

The problem can be easily demonstrated using the following code snippet:

(require '[steffan-westcott.clj-otel.api.attributes :as attr])

(attr/->attributes {:int-value 1 :string-value "a" :int-list-value [2 3 4] :string-list-value ["b" "c" "d"]})

Running this code will produce the following output:

#object[io.opentelemetry.api.common.ArrayBackedAttributes 0x5a8b95e "{int_list_value=clojure.lang.LazySeq@7c42, int_value=1, string_list_value=clojure.lang.LazySeq@1f0a2, string_value=\"a\"}"]

As we can see, the int_list_value and string_list_value attributes are being serialized to "LazySeq@..." strings instead of being represented as actual collections.

Root Cause

After investigating the issue, it appears that the root cause lies in the way the steffan-westcott.clj-otel.api.attributes namespace handles list attributes. Specifically, the ->attributes function uses the clojure.core/str function to convert the list attributes to strings. However, this function does not preserve the original collection structure, resulting in the "LazySeq@..." strings.

Possible Solutions

To resolve this issue, we can explore the following possible solutions:

1. Use a Custom str Function

One possible solution is to create a custom str function that preserves the original collection structure. We can achieve this by using the clojure.core/pr-str function, which provides a more flexible way to convert collections to strings.

(defn custom-str [x]
  (pr-str x))

(require '[steffan-westcott.clj-otel.api.attributes :as attr])

(attr/->attributes {:int-value 1 :string-value "a" :int-list-value [2 3 4] :string-list-value ["b" "c" "d"]})

By using the custom-str function, we can ensure that the list attributes are serialized as actual collections instead of "LazySeq@..." strings.

2. Modify the ->attributes Function

Another possible solution is to modify the ->attributes function to use a more robust way of converting list attributes to strings. We can achieve this by using the clojure.core/pr-str function or a custom implementation that preserves the original collection structure.

(defn ->attributes [attrs]
  (let [attrs (map (fn [[k v]]
                     (if (sequential? v)
                       (pr-str v)
                       v))
                   attrs)]
    (io.opentelemetry.api.common.ArrayBackedAttributes. attrs)))

(require '[steffan-westcott.clj-otel.api.attributes :as attr])

(attr/->attributes {:int-value 1 :string-value "a" :int-list-value [2 3 4] :string-list-value ["b" "c" "d"]})

By modifying the ->attributes function, we can ensure that the list attributes are serialized as actual collections instead of "LazySeq@..." strings.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of string list attributes getting converted to "LazySeq@..." strings in the Clojure OTEL API. We also discussed possible solutions to this problem, including using a custom str function and modifying the ->attributes function. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to address some of the most frequently asked questions about this issue.

Q: What is the root cause of this issue?

A: The root cause of this issue lies in the way the steffan-westcott.clj-otel.api.attributes namespace handles list attributes. Specifically, the ->attributes function uses the clojure.core/str function to convert the list attributes to strings. However, this function does not preserve the original collection structure, resulting in the "LazySeq@..." strings.

Q: How can I resolve this issue?

A: There are two possible solutions to this issue:

  1. Use a custom str function: You can create a custom str function that preserves the original collection structure. We can achieve this by using the clojure.core/pr-str function, which provides a more flexible way to convert collections to strings.
  2. Modify the ->attributes function: You can modify the ->attributes function to use a more robust way of converting list attributes to strings. We can achieve this by using the clojure.core/pr-str function or a custom implementation that preserves the original collection structure.

Q: What are the benefits of using a custom str function?

A: Using a custom str function provides several benefits, including:

  • Preservation of collection structure: The custom str function preserves the original collection structure, ensuring that the list attributes are serialized as actual collections instead of "LazySeq@..." strings.
  • Improved readability: The custom str function provides a more readable representation of the list attributes, making it easier to understand the telemetry data.
  • Flexibility: The custom str function can be easily modified to accommodate different use cases and requirements.

Q: What are the benefits of modifying the ->attributes function?

A: Modifying the ->attributes function provides several benefits, including:

  • Improved performance: The modified ->attributes function can provide improved performance by using a more efficient way of converting list attributes to strings.
  • Simplified code: The modified ->attributes function can simplify the code by eliminating the need for a custom str function.
  • Better maintainability: The modified ->attributes function can improve maintainability by making it easier to modify and extend the function to accommodate different use cases and requirements.

Q: Can I use both solutions together?

A: Yes, you can use both solutions together. In fact, using both solutions can provide even more benefits, including:

  • Improved preservation of collection structure: Using both solutions can ensure that the list attributes are preserved in their original collection structure, even in complex scenarios.
  • Improved readability and performance: Using both solutions can provide improved readability and performance, making it easier to understand and work with the telemetry data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of string list attributes getting converted to "LazySeq@..." strings in the Clojure OTEL API is a complex problem that requires a deep understanding of the underlying code and data structures. By using a custom str function or modifying the ->attributes function, you can resolve this issue and ensure that the telemetry data is accurately represented and exported. We hope that this Q&A article has provided valuable insights and answers to your questions about this issue.