Random values, dates and hashes

Display names with CommonLib, generate random values, format UTC dates, and calculate hashes using BJS utilities.

These are separate tasks with different tools. JavaScript's Math and Date, plus runtime CryptoJS, are available without a Store library. Random and DateTimeFormat are installed libraries.

Display a user's name

CommonLib is included in BJS. It is the shorter name for Libs.CommonLib and Libs.commonLib; no installation is required.

Display a user's name · Example 1

if (!user) { return; }
const name = CommonLib.getNameFor(user) || "there";
Bot.sendMessage("Hello, " + name + "!", { parse_mode: null });

The helper prefers @username, then the first name, then the last name, and returns an empty string when none is available. The fallback above uses there in that case. It chooses display text, not an authorization identity.

Choose a random reply

Choose a random reply · Example 2

const replies = ["Hello!", "Welcome!", "Good to see you!"];
const index = Math.floor(Math.random() * replies.length);
Bot.sendMessage(replies[index]);

For a die result:

Choose a random reply · Example 3

const roll = 1 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);
Bot.sendMessage("You rolled " + roll);

Use this for casual variation, not secret tokens or decisions requiring cryptographic randomness.

Compatibility with the Random library

Compatibility with the Random library

The published Random source exposes randomInt(min, max), randomFloat(min, max) and sendMessage(messages). Its checked implementation rejects a zero boundary and uses max - min + 1 for floating point values. Its message picker calls the integer function with zero, so the old Libs.Random.sendMessage recipe is not a reliable example for that version.

Use the plain JavaScript recipes above for new code. If your installed version differs, inspect it before depending on different behavior. Do not silently assume that randomFloat stays below the supplied maximum.

Format a date

For an unambiguous timestamp:

Format a date · Example 4

Bot.sendMessage(new Date().toISOString());

For a custom UTC display, install DateTimeFormat:

Format a date · Example 5

const text = Libs.DateTimeFormat.format(
  new Date(),
  "yyyy-mm-dd HH:MM:ss",
  true
);
Bot.sendMessage(text + " UTC");

In this library, lowercase mm means month and uppercase MM means minutes. The third argument selects UTC. An invalid date throws. Do not infer the user's timezone from the server clock; store an explicit preference if your bot needs local-time schedules.

Calculate a hash or HMAC

CryptoJS is provided by the runtime:

Calculate a hash or HMAC · Example 6

const digest = CryptoJS.SHA256("example message").toString(CryptoJS.enc.Hex);
Bot.sendMessage(digest);

An HMAC uses a shared secret:

Calculate a hash or HMAC · Example 7

const signature = CryptoJS.HmacSHA256(
  "example payload",
  "example-secret-for-a-local-test"
).toString(CryptoJS.enc.Hex);
Bot.sendMessage(signature);

For provider callbacks, use the exact required algorithm, original payload bytes and output encoding. Re-serializing parsed JSON may change the signature. Hashing is not encryption; an ordinary hash of a password is not a password storage scheme. See the CryptoJS reference for supported encodings and methods.

For an actual external callback flow, continue with Webhooks or OxaPay.