Error: Unexpected token in object literal

[Rajini2]

This is my Action script step, trying to use this in the flow whenever variables (special char escaped) need to be updated.  Now this is throwing an error when I am passing this value to variable "cable_installation_request_for_printer_selection_status"

Error:

{"cable_installation_request_for_printer_selection_status":"\"HP Inc DesignJet T1600 36" PostScript 3EK11A#B1K (HP Inc - 3EK11A#B1K) - \" : \"Complete\"","cable_installations_reviewed":"1"}

But, when I test the action separately, it is a success. you can see below how 36\" is escaped.

{"cable_installation_request_for_printer_selection_status":"\"HP Inc DesignJet T1600 36\" PostScript 3EK11A#B1K (HP Inc - 3EK11A#B1K) - \" : \"Complete\""}

Not sure how to fix this script. Need some help here.

(function execute(inputs, outputs) {    
    var variables = JSON.parse(inputs.variables);
    for (var key in variables) {
        var valueStr = variables[key].toString();
        var escapedValue = valueStr.replace(/"/g, '\\\"'); // Correct: escape double quotes
        var finalValue = JSON.stringify(escapedValue).slice(1, -1);
        inputs.ritm.variables[key] = finalValue;
    }
    inputs.ritm.update();
})(inputs, outputs);

[Chavan AP]

Please try below:

(function execute(inputs, outputs) {
    
        var variables = JSON.parse(inputs.variables);
        
        for (var key in variables) {
            if (variables.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
                var value = variables[key];
                
                // Simply assign the value - ServiceNow handles escaping internally
                inputs.ritm.variables[key] = value;
            }
        }
        
        inputs.ritm.update();
        
    

[Rajini2]

Got the same error.

[Chavan AP]

looks like json is corrupted before it reach - try below once: 

(function execute(inputs, outputs) {
    try {
        var rawVariables = inputs.variables;
        
        // Log the raw input for debugging
        gs.info('Raw variables input: ' + rawVariables);
        
        // Sanitize the JSON string before parsing
        var sanitizedJson = sanitizeJsonString(rawVariables);
        gs.info('Sanitized JSON: ' + sanitizedJson);
        
        var variables = JSON.parse(sanitizedJson);
        
        for (var key in variables) {
            if (variables.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
                var value = variables[key];
                
                // Clean the value further if needed
                if (typeof value === 'string') {
                    value = cleanValue(value);
                }
                
                gs.info('Setting variable ' + key + ' = ' + value);
                inputs.ritm.variables[key] = value;
            }
        }
        
        inputs.ritm.update();
        outputs.success = true;
        
    } catch (error) {
        gs.error('Script error: ' + error.getMessage());
        gs.error('Raw input was: ' + inputs.variables);
        outputs.success = false;
        outputs.message = error.getMessage();
    }
    
    // Function to sanitize malformed JSON
    function sanitizeJsonString(jsonStr) {
        if (!jsonStr) return '{}';
        
        // Fix common JSON malformation issues
        var fixed = jsonStr
            // Fix the malformed \" : \" pattern
            .replace(/\\" : \\"/g, '": "')
            // Fix unescaped quotes in the middle of strings
            .replace(/([^\\])"([^"]*[^\\])"([^:])/g, '$1\\"$2\\"$3')
            // Fix specific case: 36" should be 36\"
            .replace(/36"/g, '36\\"')
            // Fix any remaining standalone quotes that aren't escaped
            .replace(/([^\\])"/g, '$1\\"')
            // Clean up any double escaping that might occur
            .replace(/\\\\"/g, '\\"');
            
        return fixed;
    }
    
    // Function to clean individual values
    function cleanValue(value) {
        return value
            .replace(/^"/, '')     // Remove leading quote
            .replace(/"$/, '')     // Remove trailing quote
            .replace(/\\"/g, '"')  // Unescape quotes
            .trim();
    }
    
})(inputs, outputs);

[Chavan AP]

@Rajini2 

Glad I could help! If this solved your issue, please mark it as ✅ Helpful and ✅ Accept as Solution so others can benefit too.

Chavan A.P. Technical Architect | Certified Professional