Zabbix 1.8.3 Server on SLES 10, mySQL DB

Just a note: "1) All functions return numeric values only. Comparison to strings is not supported, for example."
http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/1.8/manual/config/triggers#trigger_functions

Comparing two string items is very important. So I hope this feature will be added soon.

See also ZBXNEXT-1316

I know you guys probably look at number of requests for a feature.

In this instance, I ask that you please don't do that, but instead look at what having this ability, and the abilities in ZBXNEXT-2527 would give the user.

We basically wouldn't need to utilize userparameters and scripts anymore for a large percentage of the checks and triggers that we do today.

Thank you for your time!

A suggestion to implement this request is to add the ability to functions like change and abschange to not only compare between last and previous values, but also between other values:
The example

({host:list_partition[].last(#1)}={host:list_partition[].last(#2)})&({host:list_partition[].last(#1)}#{host:list_partition[].last(#3)})

could then be implemented as such where .change compares between last value and the given most recent value:

({host:list_partition[].change(#2)}=0&({host:list_partition[].change(#3)}=1

Extending this even more to comparing any value to any value by supporting 2 parameters:

({host:list_partition[].change(#3,#5)}=0&({host:list_partition[].change(#4,#6)}=1

which would compare the 3th against the 5th value and the 4th against the 6th value. (not sure what use case it would have in this example, but for flexibility I think it is best to consider this also)

This method of-course is not so flexible that it could be used for ZBXNEXT-1316.. But maybe it is easier to implement on a short term as it still honours all current trigger expression rules and limitations. It would make zabbix that bit more powerful without needing big changes to the trigger evaluator..

(1) it would be also useful to specify how the comparison of greater/less than works - enabling version comparison, for example. see "sort -V" :

$ echo -e "11.2\n2.11" | sort
11.2
2.11
$ echo -e "11.2\n2.11" | sort -V
2.11
11.2

otherwise comparing software versions would be unreliable

glebs.ivanovskis Slightly better illustration:

$ echo -e "1.9\n2.2\n2.10" | sort
1.9
2.10
2.2
$ echo -e "1.9\n2.2\n2.10" | sort -r
2.2
2.10
1.9
$ echo -e "1.9\n2.2\n2.10" | sort -V
1.9
2.2
2.10
$ echo -e "1.9\n2.2\n2.10" | sort -V -r
2.10
2.2
1.9

• Upon comparison of ZBXNEXT-1314 with this one and its comments I want to highlight that ZBXNEXT-1314 explicitly asked for the ability to compare strings from different hosts.

  •  {host:item_name.last(0)} != {another_host:item_name.last(0)} 

• I just ran into this issue as well and would appreciate such a function very much.

I vote for this issue. I need to be able to compare the last 3 values of a text item to ensure they match.

I would also like to see this feature please.

Adding my vote, would also help address the feature request I just added (ZBXNEXT-4449).

Johannes, the issue you referenced is titled "Capability to rotate the labels" - you probably intended to link to a different issue.

Just wanted to add my support for this. 

I'm trying to compare strings from system.localtime<local> which returns strings, whereas UTC returns a number. 

I've got a regex to get just the timezone info eg +01:00 

I'd like to create a trigger that goes off if the value returned differs from a reference comparison value, in the same trigger something like. 

{Template Timezone CET Check:system.localtime[local].str == {ALT_HOST:system.localtime[local].str}

this is not a sync check, but to ensure servers in the various templates are on the correct TZ. 

But the ability to compare strings would seem like a HUGE advantage. 

Please consider seriously this feature request. 

Thanks

As per Forum Post this feature would be greatly appreciated, I've added my vote

Thanks for your votes. We already started initial research, if everything goes fine this functionality has all chances to be included into Zabbix 5.0. Finally!

I would like this feature also (ZBXNEXT-5835), thanks!!!!

Available in versions:

• pre-5.0.0beta2 151bd87d57, cbcd13373f

Could not quickly make it out of the spec, do I understand it correctly that this task is limited to single item, i. e. I will not be able to compare the strings returned by different items, e. g.:

{host:foo.last()} = {host:bar.last()}

?
<arimdjonoks> You should be able to compare different items - what is the problem?

<dimir> OK, will update ticket title then, it's misleading to users.