Declare @ ml <entityname> or is it not needed anymore?

[adrwh]

I have done some tests creating custom entities using @ ml <entityname> and not using it. Both work, so is it better to declare the @ ml <entityname> or is it not needed?

I have two triggers setup, NameA and NameB. As you see below, I have declared the @ ml nameB statement for trigger NameB but not for trigger NameA.

User Input/Utterances

# NameA
- triggerA {nameA1 = andrew}
- triggerA {@ nameA2 = andrew}
- triggerA {@nameA3 = andrew}

# NameB
- triggerB {nameB1 = andrew}
- triggerB {@ nameB2 = andrew}
- triggerB {@nameB3 = andrew}

@ ml nameB

I have added the Send a response action and sent the values stored in the @nameA[1,2,3] and @nameB[1,2,3] entities. Upon running the bot, and triggering both intents, the @nameA[1,2,3] and @nameB[1,2,3] are both stored correctly.

Is adding the @ ml <entityname> no longer relevant?

[dmvtech]

hi @adrwh

If it's going to be very simple/basic as you have it above, then no. You don't need it.

If you are going to be using stuff like roles/features, then yes. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bot-service/file-format/bot-builder-lu-file-format?view=azure-bot-service-4.0#entity-definitions

[dmvtech]

Closing as answered.