Bug in String Manipulation (Multi-column) Node

[ajason08]

I found a strange behavior on the String Manipulation (Multi-column) Node.
In short, the node sometimes ignores the instructions. Here the instructions I used:

lowerCase(
strip(
removeDuplicates(
	//only words
	regexReplace($$CURRENTCOLUMN$$, "[^a-zA-ZÀ-ž ]+","" )
)))

The input

first node which ignore instructions

Second node working well (this is a copy via copy-paste of the buggy node connected to the same input)

I guess the bug can be associated to the specific instructions (e.g. the regexReplace) or to the new multi-column version.

My thoughts

• So, the same node and its copy, with the same instructions and inputs are returning different results.
• Actually It took me a lot of time to realise about this error.
• The only cue I found was that when buggy the node performed faster than when it was working correctly.
• I don’t know how to reproduce this error without exporting my full workflow until reach this point (which size is 1.5gb).
• But I will be in touch if you need additional information.

EDIT: a view of the nodes if relevant

[ipazin]

Hello @ajason08,

to reproduce error can you do following:

• use Table Writer node to write data data from “some italian text” node
• create new workflow where you use Table Reader node to read data into KNIME
• add two String Manipulation (Multi Column) nodes

See here how to create reproducible workflow example using relative workflow paths:

Reproducible (Minimal) Workflow Example

Hi there KNIMErs! What is this topic about? This topic is about helping yourself and KNIME community! How? By creating and sharing workflow examples that help and can be successfully ran by others When? When logic requires it. For example when you are opening a topic in order to get help (you are getting error or can’t configure node and would like someone else to take a look what is wrong; or you started a workflow and got stuck so need help with next step), when you are reporting …

What KNIME version are you using?

Br,
Ivan

[davekalpak]

KNIME Version: 4.3.0
I have encountered a similar issue.
For me it occurs when I reset an upstream node relative to the last String (multi-column) node, then I execute the last multi-col node - which results in no modified columns. However, when I open the configuration for that multi-col node and save it again (without making edits), I reset the node then re-execute the node to produce the expected modified table.

I have attached the workflow I’m working on. string-multicol-bug.knwf (35.0 KB)

[ipazin]

Hello @davekalpak,

tried to reproduce but couldn’t. So node 1561 should have same output as node 1560? Is that right? And which node do you reset prior to executing 1561 to get see this buggy behavior?

Br,
Ivan

[davekalpak]

For me, if I reset the entire workflow, then run 1561 most cells of 1561 and 1560 are sometimes blank or just the same as their inputs (no modifications performed by those nodes). Then I open 1560 to configure (without changing anything, I close configuration) then reset 1560 and re-run 1561. 1560 then produces the desired results, but 1561 needs to be re-configured, reset, then re-executed to get it to work properly. The end result of 1561 is for a clean table without any html tags or markings.

The inconsistency of the behavior makes it difficult to clearly and precisely explain the conditions for re-production. I have attached a screenshot of the expected/desired output of 1561.

[davekalpak]

Additional note for anyone else who may need a work-around: the Column Expressions node provided a good (and more efficient) alternative for this particular case, but may become cumbersome if you have too many columns in need of processing.

[ipazin]

Hello @davekalpak,

I get it know but still couldn’t reproduce it. Let’s see if someone else will have more luck.

Br,
Ivan