topic Re: QDF, Gitlab in Archived Groups

QDF, Gitlab & Code Syntax Checking (Linter)

bjendrick — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 17:59:49 GMT

So at my current organization, i've been very successful in implementing & utilizing the QDF, with code stored within Gitlab. When I check files into the repo, shortly after, I pull those files into the Qlik Sense Server, and everything is as I'd like it. However, I would very much like to automate some of these processes starting with putting the code through basic code checks (semi-colons), proper function naming, etc. I've scoured the web for something, but have been unsuccessful in finding something I can tie into a gitlab-ci.yml file.

Has anyone had success with this, or has access to a code checking system for QVS files? Even if it's NOT part of CI/CD pipelines, I know something like this would save me from countless "silly mistakes". Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. And soon, I'm hoping to document what I've done, how it's worked, and some common practices I've put in place to make things easier to maintain & continue to develop our full QDF system. Thank you!

Re: QDF, Gitlab

lucasmagalhaes — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 12:40:23 GMT

Yes. I did something like this.

I develop a python code with regex and put this app to run with ci pipeline
using docker image. The app access the qlik container and check if has qvs
files and also check the code. We look for a exit script, commented call
and include expressions. The goal is prevent possibles mistakes.

Re: QDF, Gitlab

bjendrick — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 17:23:08 GMT

That sounds really great, although, I'm not necessarily looking for checking for files within Qlik. I'd like a fairly simple & straight forward syntax checker for the oops issues. That would be enough, plus it could halt the commit of a project so I can fix before things break. Still hoping someone has something like that out there. Anyone?

Re: QDF, Gitlab

lucasmagalhaes — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 12:16:41 GMT

I presented a webinar that I talked about the benefits to use QDF with Gitlab. I also showed a demo using the CI/CD to automated things.

Here the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmA2l5i5Eo

The audio its in portuguese, but I'm sure you get the idea.

Re: QDF, Gitlab

Magnus_Berg — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:52:13 GMT

Thanks for the video, really nice to see 🙂

Cheers Magnus

Re: QDF, Gitlab & Code Syntax Checking (Linter)

Rodj — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:05:40 GMT

I get what you are after in this, but I wonder if anyone will have bothered to do it due to the in-built syntax checking that Sense has. It would take a fair amount of effort to write something like this, along with a very good understanding of the Qlik script syntax. If I had the time it might be a fun exercise to try it in Python, but I really don't have the time and it wouldn't have much value for me as most customers aren't interested in putting concepts like CI/CD pipelines or automation into their BI environments. Therein lies the problem I think, and why you aren't finding anything.

Also, traditionally I've not seen a big cross-over in skillsets between Qlik developers and programmers with the skill to do this kind of thing easily. That is definitely starting to change so it might happen in the near future.

Re: QDF, Gitlab

Rodj — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:06:53 GMT

Great work on this @lucasmagalhaes , I'm sure I'd have gotten a lot more out of it if I understood the language but I get the concepts.

Re: QDF, Gitlab

bjendrick — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:08:10 GMT

Yes, really great presentation. Thank you for sharing!

Re: QDF, Gitlab & Code Syntax Checking (Linter)

bjendrick — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:11:09 GMT

@Rodj You're probably right in that regard. Which is unfortunate, but might also mean that this is something I should take on myself, or with others I know in the community. What I picture, is that combined with Butler SOS (amazing product), I can have an end-to-end programming environment to fully support & manage a Qlik Sense installation. Which ultimately will save me time & attention "watching over it" or "babysitting it", which in my view, is exactly why the elusive DevOps is so important for quality of work life.

Re: QDF, Gitlab

bjendrick — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:14:46 GMT

@lucasmagalhaes And before I forget, I was entirely fascinated with your dashboard of the git publication details. Have you shared that anywhere? I would love to get my hands on a copy.

Thank you for sharing such a great idea!