Function params not recognised within a-list?

Question

I am using dexator to do a post request. I am updating a contact database.

Here is my code:

(defun upload-post (firstname email &optional first-line)
  
  (dex:post NEW-LEAD-URL
        :headers '((:content-type . "application/json"))
        :content '(("email" . 'email)
               ("first_name" . firstname)
               ("custom_attributes" . '(("first_line" . first-line))))))

I get the error that firstname, email and first-line are defined but not used.

Notice that I tested quoting the email. That didn't work.

Why are the params being ignored?

Answer 1

Because symbols inside a quoted list (email, firstname, first-line) won't evaluate.

Quote (') stops all evaluation, so values of variables firstname, email and first-line aren't used and you will send a request, where "email" has value email, "first_name" has value firstname and so on.

You could create that request list with list and cons, so all symbols are properly evaluated, or use backquote and comma:

(defun upload-post (firstname email &optional first-line)
  (dex:post NEW-LEAD-URL
            :headers '((:content-type . "application/json"))
            :content `(("email" . ,email)
                       ("first_name" . ,firstname)
                       ("custom_attributes" . (("first_line" . ,first-line))))))

Just note that your naming is inconsistent- firstname vs first-line.