Why is the default variable bamboo.shortPlanBranchName blank?

Are you scratching your head, wondering why the default variable bamboo.shortPlanBranchName is blank in your Bamboo plan? You’re not alone! This seemingly simple variable can be a source of frustration for many developers. In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons behind this phenomenon and provide you with solutions to get you back on track.

What is bamboo.shortPlanBranchName, anyway?

Before we dive into the issue, let’s quickly cover what bamboo.shortPlanBranchName is and why it’s important. bamboo.shortPlanBranchName is a default variable in Bamboo that returns the short name of the current branch being built. This variable is essential for various Bamboo features, such as…

Branch detection and build triggering

Bamboo uses branch detection to trigger builds automatically when changes are pushed to specific branches. The shortPlanBranchName variable plays a crucial role in this process, as it helps Bamboo identify the correct branch and trigger the corresponding build plan.

Custom scripting and automation

bamboo.shortPlanBranchName is also used in custom scripts and automation tasks to perform branch-specific actions, such as deploying code to different environments or sending notifications to specific teams.

Why is bamboo.shortPlanBranchName blank?

So, why does bamboo.shortPlanBranchName sometimes return a blank value? There are a few common reasons for this:

• Incorrect branch configuration

  One of the most common reasons for a blank bamboo.shortPlanBranchName is incorrect branch configuration. Make sure that the branch is correctly configured in your Bamboo plan, and that the short name is set correctly.

• Missing or incorrect repository configuration

  Another reason for a blank bamboo.shortPlanBranchName is missing or incorrect repository configuration. Ensure that the repository is correctly configured in Bamboo, and that the branch is correctly linked to the repository.

• Caching issues

  Bamboo caching can sometimes cause issues with variable values. Try clearing the Bamboo cache and restarting the server to see if this resolves the issue.

Solutions to get bamboo.shortPlanBranchName working

Now that we’ve covered the common reasons why bamboo.shortPlanBranchName might be blank, let’s dive into the solutions:

Solution 1: Verify branch configuration

Follow these steps to verify your branch configuration:

1. Go to your Bamboo plan and click on the “Branches” tab.

2. Click on the “Edit” button next to the branch that’s experiencing the issue.

3. Verify that the short name is set correctly and matches the expected value.

4. Save the changes and try triggering a build again.

Solution 2: Check repository configuration

Follow these steps to check your repository configuration:

1. Go to your Bamboo plan and click on the ” Repositories” tab.

2. Click on the “Edit” button next to the repository that’s linked to the branch.

3. Verify that the repository is correctly configured and that the branch is correctly linked.

4. Save the changes and try triggering a build again.

Solution 3: Clear caching issues

Follow these steps to clear caching issues:

1. Stop the Bamboo server.

2. Delete the cache directory (usually located at `/cache`).

3. Restart the Bamboo server.

4. Try triggering a build again to see if the issue is resolved.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above solutions don’t work, it’s time to get a bit more advanced with our troubleshooting:

Check the Bamboo logs

Bamboo logs can provide valuable insights into what’s going on behind the scenes. Check the logs for any errors or warnings related to the bamboo.shortPlanBranchName variable.

2023-02-20 14:30:00,123 ERROR [main] [com.atlassian.bamboo.builder.AbstractBuilder] - Error resolving branch short name: null
2023-02-20 14:30:00,124 DEBUG [main] [com.atlassian.bamboo.builder.AbstractBuilder] - Repository configuration: [repository-12345]

In this example, the log indicates an error resolving the branch short name, and provides information about the repository configuration.

Use the Bamboo API

The Bamboo API can be used to retrieve information about your plan and branches. Use the API to retrieve the branch information and check if the short name is correctly set.


curl -X GET \
https://your-bamboo-server.com/rest/api/1.0/plan/PLAN-KEY/branch \
-H 'Accept: application/json' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN'


This will return a JSON response containing information about the branch, including the short name:

{
  "branch": {
    "name": "feature/new-feature",
    "shortName": "new-feature",
    "repositoryId": 12345
  }
}

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered the reasons why bamboo.shortPlanBranchName might be blank, and provided solutions to get it working again. Remember to verify your branch configuration, check your repository configuration, and clear caching issues. If you’re still having trouble, get advanced with troubleshooting by checking the Bamboo logs and using the Bamboo API.

Solution	Description
Verify branch configuration	Check that the branch short name is correctly set in the Bamboo plan.
Check repository configuration	Verify that the repository is correctly configured and linked to the branch.
Clear caching issues	Stop the Bamboo server, delete the cache directory, and restart the server.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and get bamboo.shortPlanBranchName working correctly again. Happy building!

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