## Functions

_Functions_ are JavaScript functions that you can define and execute in Cognigy.AI. Use Functions to assist with asynchronous processes, such as interacting with third-party systems through an HTTP API. The execution of Functions is independent of Flows, but you can trigger them from a Flow. You can also use the [inject and notify](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/deploy/endpoints/inject-and-notify) API endpoints in a Function to send results back into a Flow. You can access the `parameters` and `api` objects from the Function’s arguments.

## Limitations

- The maximum run-time of a Function instance is 15 minutes. For on-premises installations, you can change this limit via the `FUNCTION_EXECUTION_MAX_EXECUTION_TIME_IN_MINUTES` environment variable in the `values.yaml` file. For long-running operations that exceed this limit, set up a dedicated middleware service, such as AWS Lambda or Azure Functions, and call back using the [Inject API](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/deploy/endpoints/inject-and-notify) once the process completes. This approach is more scalable than Cognigy Functions for time-intensive tasks.
- You can define a Function only in JavaScript or TypeScript.

## Working with Functions

- GUI
- API

You can view, create, edit, and delete Functions in **Build > Functions**. To define, trigger, and monitor a Function, use the **Code** and **Instances** tabs. Also, you can trigger a Function from the Flow editor by using the [Trigger Function Node](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/develop/node-reference/service/trigger-function).

You can view, create, edit, and delete Functions using the [Cognigy.AI API](https://api-trial.cognigy.ai/openapi#tag--Functions-v2.0). Using this API, you can also monitor, trigger, and stop a Function instance.

## Examples

You can use HTTP requests to interact with third-party systems.

#### GET Request

```javascript
export default async ({ parameters, api }: IFunctionExecutionArguments) => {
    const response = await api.httpRequest({
        method: "get",
        url: "https://example.com/api/v2",
        headers: {
            "Accept": "application/json"
        }
    });
}
```

#### POST Request

```javascript
export default async ({ parameters, api }: IFunctionExecutionArguments) => {
    const response = await api.httpRequest({
        method: "post",
        url: "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/issues",
        headers: {
            "Accept": "application/vnd.github.v3+json",
            "Authorization": "Bearer <your-github-token>"
        },
        data: {
            "title": "Found a bug",
            "body": "I'm having a problem with this.",
            "labels": ["bug"]
        }
    });
}
```

Functions can interact with Flows through the [Inject and Notify](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/deploy/endpoints/inject-and-notify) APIs. The following examples assume that you pass `userId` and `sessionId` through the function’s parameters.

#### Injecting Text into Flows

```javascript
export default async ({ parameters, api }: IFunctionExecutionArguments) => {
    const { userId, sessionId } = parameters;

api.inject({
        userId,
        sessionId,
        text: "This text was injected through a Function"
    });
}
```

#### Sending Notifications

```javascript
export default async ({ parameters, api }: IFunctionExecutionArguments) => {
    const { userId, sessionId } = parameters;

api.notify({
        userId,
        sessionId,
        text: "This text was injected through a Function"
    });
}
```

Find more Function examples in the Cognigy’s [functions](https://github.com/Cognigy/Functions?tab=readme-ov-file) repository.

## Use Case

Functions can help you handle HTTP requests that exceed the timeout in the [HTTP Request Node](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/develop/node-reference/service/http-request). The HTTP Request Node allows direct access to API responses from the Flow, which is not possible with Functions. However, Functions allow you to work with slower APIs or long-running processes.

## More Information

- [Inject and Notify](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/deploy/endpoints/inject-and-notify)
- [Trigger Function Node](https://docs.cognigy.com/ai/agents/develop/node-reference/service/trigger-function)