Directions

AMD: require(["esri/widgets/Directions"], (Directions) => { /* code goes here */ });
ESM: import Directions from "@arcgis/core/widgets/Directions.js";
Class: esri/widgets/Directions
Inheritance: Directions→Widget→Accessor
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.6

The Directions widget provides a way to calculate directions, between two or more input locations with a RouteLayer, using ArcGIS Online and custom Network Analysis Route services. Similar to how route works, this widget generates a route finding a least-cost path between multiple points using the routing service associated with the assigned route layer The resulting directions are displayed with detailed turn-by-turn instructions.

Directions widget uses Search to locate each stop, either by selecting a point on the map, or by entering a search term into the textbox. The Search widget uses settings defined in Search properties. This includes the locationType, which defines the type of geocoding result that is returned, and defaults to "street".

The Directions widget is required to be used with a user defined RouteLayer. This might be an entirely new RouteLayer, or a RouteLayer derived from a route portal item, but it also must be added to the map in order to visualize the route. To retrieve or change the routeServiceUrl or symbology, please access the relevant properties on the layer.

It is important to note that the Directions widget will automatically assign two empty stops if the assigned RouteLayer does not have any stops defined. An empty stop is a stop without a name or location. In the UI, these empty stops will appear as a placeholder for the user to either enter a search term, or digitize a location on the map. This behavior existed in legacy mode (no RouteLayer explicitly passed to the Directions widget constructor) as well, in which the Directions widget would assign a temporary RouteLayer if one was not assigned. Additionally, there is different default symbology created for a Directions widget instantiated with and without a RouteLayer:

Directions with RouteLayer
DirectionsWithRouteLayer

The routing service defaults to this URL: https://route-api.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/World/Route/NAServer/Route_World. This routing service requires authentication. You can use Directions.apiKey, or a global apiKey to specify an apiKey for authentication. To geocode locations in the Directions widget UI, the built-in Search widget uses this URL by default: https://geocode-api.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/World/GeocodeServer, which also requires authentication.

The resulting directions can be saved as a route portal item using Save or SaveAs buttons. The Save method updates the route portal item associated with the layer (if any). The Save As method is available for all portal users. The Clear route button calls the reset() method, which removes all stops, directions, and the solved route. Any type of customizations made to the underlying functionality of the widget should be handled via its viewModel property.

For information about gaining full control of widget styles, see the Styling topic.
See also
Examples
// 1. Add empty RouteLayer to Directions widget

// create a new empty RouteLayer
const routeLayer = new RouteLayer();

// new RouteLayer must be added to the map
// for route visualization
const map = new Map({
  basemap: "topo-vector",
  layers: [routeLayer]
});

// new RouteLayer must be added to Directions widget
const directionsWidget = new Directions({
  view: view,
  layer: routeLayer
});

// adds the Directions widget to the
// top right corner of the view
view.ui.add(directionsWidget, {
  position: "top-right"
});
// 2. Add RouteLayer from portal to Directions widget

// create a new RouteLayer from a portal item
const routeLayer = new RouteLayer({
  portalItem: { // autocasts as new PortalItem()
    id: "fd4188722f3e4e14986abca86cad80c6"
  }
});

// new RouteLayer must be added to the map
// for route visualization
const map = new Map({
  basemap: "topo-vector",
  layers: [routeLayer]
});

// new RouteLayer must be added to Directions widget
const directionsWidget = new Directions({
  view: view,
  layer: routeLayer
});

// adds the Directions widget to the
// bottom right corner of the view
view.ui.add(directionsWidget, {
  position: "bottom-right"
});
// 3. Create a Directions widget with 2 pre-set stops

// create a new RouteLayer with 2 stops
const routeLayer = new RouteLayer({
  stops: [
    { name: "Redlands, CA", geometry: { x: -117.1825, y: 34.0547 } },
    { name: "Palm Springs, CA", geometry: { x: -116.5452, y: 33.8302 } }
  ]
});

// new RouteLayer must be added to the map
// for route visualization
const map = new Map({
  basemap: "topo-vector",
  layers: [routeLayer]
});

// new RouteLayer must be added to Directions widget
const directionsWidget = new Directions({
  view: view,
  layer: routeLayer
});
// 4. Update the empty stops that are automatically added by the Directions widget

// create a new empty RouteLayer
const routeLayer = new RouteLayer();

// new RouteLayer must be added to the map
// for route visualization
const map = new Map({
  basemap: "topo-vector",
  layers: [routeLayer]
});

// new RouteLayer must be added to Directions widget
const directionsWidget = new Directions({
  view: view,
  layer: routeLayer
});

// call the asynchronous function
directionsReady();

// asynchronous function to seed the Directions widget
// with two initials stops (Campton to Plymouth)
// instead of the empty stops
async function directionsReady(){
  await directionsWidget.when();
  directionsWidget.layer.stops.at(0).name = "Campton, NH";
  directionsWidget.layer.stops.at(0).geometry = new Point({ x: -71.64133, y: 43.85191 });
  directionsWidget.layer.stops.at(1).name = "Plymouth, NH";
  directionsWidget.layer.stops.at(1).geometry = new Point({ x: -71.68808, y: 43.75792 });
}

Constructors

Directions

Constructor
new Directions(properties)
Parameter
properties Object
optional

See the properties for a list of all the properties that may be passed into the constructor.

Property Overview

Any properties can be set, retrieved or listened to. See the Watch for changes topic.
Show inherited properties Hide inherited properties
Name Type Summary Class

An authorization string used to access a resource or service.

Directions

The ID or node representing the DOM element containing the widget.

Widget

The name of the class.

Accessor

This function provides the ability to override either the MapView goTo() or SceneView goTo() methods.

Directions

Indicates the heading level to use for the origin and destination addresses (i.e.

Directions

Icon which represents the widget.

Directions

The unique ID assigned to the widget when the widget is created.

Widget

The widget's default label.

Directions

The most recent route result.

Directions

The RouteLayer associated with the Directions widget.

Directions

The maximum number of stops allowed for routing.

Directions

Controls the default properties used when searching.

Directions

Unit system (imperial, metric) or specific unit used for displaying the distance values.

Directions

The view from which the widget will operate.

Directions

The view model for this widget.

Directions

Indicates whether the widget is visible.

Widget

The visible elements that are displayed within the widget.

Directions

Property Details

apiKey

Property
apiKey String
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.19 Directions since 4.6, apiKey added at 4.19.

An authorization string used to access a resource or service. API keys are generated and managed in the portal. An API key is tied explicitly to an ArcGIS account; it is also used to monitor service usage. Setting a fine-grained API key on a specific class overrides the global API key.

By default, the following URLs will be used (unless overwritten in the app, or if using different defaults from a portal):

Geocoding URL: https://geocode-api.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/World/GeocodeServer

Routing URL: https://route-api.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/World/Route/NAServer/Route_World

Example
const directionsWidget = new Directions({
  view: view,
  layer: routeLayer,
  apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY"
});
// Add the Directions widget to the top right corner of the view
view.ui.add(directionsWidget, {
  position: "top-right"
});

container

Inherited
Property
container String |HTMLElement
Inherited from Widget

The ID or node representing the DOM element containing the widget. This property can only be set once. The following examples are all valid use case when working with widgets.

Examples
// Create the HTML div element programmatically at runtime and set to the widget's container
const basemapGallery = new BasemapGallery({
  view: view,
  container: document.createElement("div")
});

// Add the widget to the top-right corner of the view
view.ui.add(basemapGallery, {
  position: "top-right"
});
// Specify an already-defined HTML div element in the widget's container

const basemapGallery = new BasemapGallery({
  view: view,
  container: basemapGalleryDiv
});

// Add the widget to the top-right corner of the view
view.ui.add(basemapGallery, {
  position: "top-right"
});

// HTML markup
<body>
  <div id="viewDiv"></div>
  <div id="basemapGalleryDiv"></div>
</body>
// Specify the widget while adding to the view's UI
const basemapGallery = new BasemapGallery({
  view: view
});

// Add the widget to the top-right corner of the view
view.ui.add(basemapGallery, {
  position: "top-right"
});

declaredClass

Inherited
Property
declaredClass Stringreadonly
Inherited from Accessor
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.7 Accessor since 4.0, declaredClass added at 4.7.

The name of the class. The declared class name is formatted as esri.folder.className.

goToOverride

Property
goToOverride GoToOverride
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.8 Directions since 4.6, goToOverride added at 4.8.

This function provides the ability to override either the MapView goTo() or SceneView goTo() methods.

See also
Example
// The following snippet uses the Search widget but can be applied to any
// widgets that support the goToOverride property.
search.goToOverride = function(view, goToParams) {
  goToParams.options = {
    duration: updatedDuration
  };
  return view.goTo(goToParams.target, goToParams.options);
};

headingLevel

Property
headingLevel Number
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.20 Directions since 4.6, headingLevel added at 4.20.

Indicates the heading level to use for the origin and destination addresses (i.e. "380 New York Street"). By default, this is rendered as a level 2 heading (e.g. <h2>380 New York Street</h2>). Depending on the widget's placement in your app, you may need to adjust this heading for proper semantics. This is important for meeting accessibility standards.

Default Value:2
See also
Example
// address text will render as an <h3>
directions.headingLevel = 3;

icon

Property
icon String
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.27 Directions since 4.6, icon added at 4.27.

Icon which represents the widget. It is typically used when the widget is controlled by another one (e.g. in the Expand widget).

Default Value:"right"
See also

id

Inherited
Property
id String
Inherited from Widget

The unique ID assigned to the widget when the widget is created. If not set by the developer, it will default to the container ID, or if that is not present then it will be automatically generated.

label

Property
label String
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.7 Directions since 4.6, label added at 4.7.

The widget's default label.

lastRoute

Property
lastRoute RouteLayerSolveResultreadonly

The most recent route result. Returns a RouteLayerSolveResult object containing properties for barriers (if any), stops, and directions.

Properties
directionLines Collection<DirectionLine>

Collection of direction polylines associated with line segments between turns.

directionPoints Collection<DirectionPoint>

Collection of direction items as points with various display information.

pointBarriers Collection<PointBarrier>

Collection of point barriers.

polygonBarriers Collection<PolygonBarrier>

Collection of polygon barriers.

polylineBarriers Collection<PolylineBarrier>

Collection of polyline barriers.

routeInfo RouteInfo

Information about a solved route including the route's geometry and overall distance and time.

stops Collection<Stop>

Collection of stops. Represents the start, end, or midpoint of a route.

Default Value:null
See also

layer

Property
layer RouteLayer
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.24 Directions since 4.6, layer added at 4.24.

The RouteLayer associated with the Directions widget. This property is required. The RouteLayer contains stops and barriers and will be used to display and solve routes.

maxStops

Property
maxStops Number

The maximum number of stops allowed for routing.

Default Value:50

searchProperties

Property
searchProperties SearchProperties

Controls the default properties used when searching. Note that the default searchProperties differ slightly from the Search widget.

Default Value:null

unit

Property
unit String
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.25 Directions since 4.6, unit added at 4.25.

Unit system (imperial, metric) or specific unit used for displaying the distance values. If not set, the widget will attempt to pick "imperial" or "metric" based on the user's portal settings.

This property will affect the summary distance as well as distance for each turn-by-turn maneuver.

Possible Values:"imperial" |"metric" |"centimeters" |"decimeters" |"feet" |"inches" |"kilometers" |"meters" |"miles" |"millimeters" |"nautical-miles" |"yards"

Example
// Display distances in nautical miles.
const directions = new Directions({
  unit: "nautical-miles",
  layer: routeLayer,
  view: view
});

view

Property
view MapView |SceneView

The view from which the widget will operate.

viewModel

Property
viewModel DirectionsViewModelautocast

The view model for this widget. This is a class that contains all the logic (properties and methods) that controls this widget's behavior. See the DirectionsViewModel class to access all properties and methods on the widget.

visible

Inherited
Property
visible Boolean
Inherited from Widget

Indicates whether the widget is visible.

If false, the widget will no longer be rendered in the web document. This may affect the layout of other elements or widgets in the document. For example, if this widget is the first of three widgets associated to the upper right hand corner of the view UI, then the other widgets will reposition when this widget is made invisible. For more information, refer to the css display value of "none".

Default Value:true
Example
// Hides the widget in the view
widget.visible = false;

visibleElements

Property
visibleElements VisibleElements
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.24 Directions since 4.6, visibleElements added at 4.24.

The visible elements that are displayed within the widget. This property provides the ability to turn individual elements of the widget's display on/off.

Example
// Hide the save button, save-as button and layer details link.
const directions = new Directions({
  view: view,
  layer: routeLayer,
  visibleElements: {
    layerDetailsLink: false,
    saveAsButton: false,
    saveButton: false
  }
});

Method Overview

Show inherited methods Hide inherited methods
Name Return Type Summary Class

Adds one or more handles which are to be tied to the lifecycle of the object.

Accessor

A utility method used for building the value for a widget's class property.

Widget

Destroys the widget instance.

Widget

Emits an event on the instance.

Widget

Computes a route and directions.

Directions

Indicates whether there is an event listener on the instance that matches the provided event name.

Widget

Returns true if a named group of handles exist.

Accessor

isFulfilled() may be used to verify if creating an instance of the class is fulfilled (either resolved or rejected).

Widget

isRejected() may be used to verify if creating an instance of the class is rejected.

Widget

isResolved() may be used to verify if creating an instance of the class is resolved.

Widget

Registers an event handler on the instance.

Widget

Adds one or more handles which are to be tied to the lifecycle of the widget.

Widget

Executes after widget is ready for rendering.

Widget

Removes a group of handles owned by the object.

Accessor

This method is implemented by subclasses for rendering.

Widget

Renders widget to the DOM immediately.

Widget
Promise<PortalItem>

Saves the RouteLayer associated with the view model.

Directions
Promise<PortalItem>

Saves the RouteLayer associated with the view model as a new portal item.

Directions

Schedules widget rendering.

Widget
Promise

when() may be leveraged once an instance of the class is created.

Widget

Zoom so that the full route is displayed within the current map extent.

Directions

Method Details

addHandles

Inherited
Method
addHandles(handleOrHandles, groupKey)
Inherited from Accessor
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.25 Accessor since 4.0, addHandles added at 4.25.

Adds one or more handles which are to be tied to the lifecycle of the object. The handles will be removed when the object is destroyed.

// Manually manage handles
const handle = reactiveUtils.when(
  () => !view.updating,
  () => {
    wkidSelect.disabled = false;
  },
  { once: true }
);

this.addHandles(handle);

// Destroy the object
this.destroy();
Parameters
handleOrHandles WatchHandle|WatchHandle[]

Handles marked for removal once the object is destroyed.

groupKey *
optional

Key identifying the group to which the handles should be added. All the handles in the group can later be removed with Accessor.removeHandles(). If no key is provided the handles are added to a default group.

classes

Inherited
Method
classes(classNames){String}
Inherited from Widget
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.7 Widget since 4.2, classes added at 4.7.

A utility method used for building the value for a widget's class property. This aids in simplifying css class setup.

Parameter
classNames String|String[]|Object
repeatable

The class names.

Returns
Type Description
String The computed class name.
Example
// .tsx syntax showing how to set css classes while rendering the widget

render() {
  const dynamicClasses = {
    [css.flip]: this.flip,
    [css.primary]: this.primary
  };

  return (
    <div class={classes(css.root, css.mixin, dynamicClasses)} />
  );
}

destroy

Inherited
Method
destroy()
Inherited from Widget

Destroys the widget instance.

emit

Inherited
Method
emit(type, event){Boolean}
Inherited from Widget

Emits an event on the instance. This method should only be used when creating subclasses of this class.

Parameters
type String

The name of the event.

event Object
optional

The event payload.

Returns
Type Description
Boolean true if a listener was notified

getDirections

Method
getDirections(){Promise<RouteLayerSolveResult>}

Computes a route and directions. If successfully computed, results will be assigned to lastRoute returned. If a view is assigned, it will zoom to the extent of the route.

Returns
Type Description
Promise<RouteLayerSolveResult> When resolved, returns a RouteLayerSolveResult.

hasEventListener

Inherited
Method
hasEventListener(type){Boolean}
Inherited from Widget

Indicates whether there is an event listener on the instance that matches the provided event name.

Parameter
type String

The name of the event.

Returns
Type Description
Boolean Returns true if the class supports the input event.

hasHandles

Inherited
Method
hasHandles(groupKey){Boolean}
Inherited from Accessor
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.25 Accessor since 4.0, hasHandles added at 4.25.

Returns true if a named group of handles exist.

Parameter
groupKey *
optional

A group key.

Returns
Type Description
Boolean Returns true if a named group of handles exist.
Example
// Remove a named group of handles if they exist.
if (obj.hasHandles("watch-view-updates")) {
  obj.removeHandles("watch-view-updates");
}

isFulfilled

Inherited
Method
isFulfilled(){Boolean}
Inherited from Widget
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.19 Widget since 4.2, isFulfilled added at 4.19.

isFulfilled() may be used to verify if creating an instance of the class is fulfilled (either resolved or rejected). If it is fulfilled, true will be returned.

Returns
Type Description
Boolean Indicates whether creating an instance of the class has been fulfilled (either resolved or rejected).

isRejected

Inherited
Method
isRejected(){Boolean}
Inherited from Widget
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.19 Widget since 4.2, isRejected added at 4.19.

isRejected() may be used to verify if creating an instance of the class is rejected. If it is rejected, true will be returned.

Returns
Type Description
Boolean Indicates whether creating an instance of the class has been rejected.

isResolved

Inherited
Method
isResolved(){Boolean}
Inherited from Widget
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.19 Widget since 4.2, isResolved added at 4.19.

isResolved() may be used to verify if creating an instance of the class is resolved. If it is resolved, true will be returned.

Returns
Type Description
Boolean Indicates whether creating an instance of the class has been resolved.

on

Inherited
Method
on(type, listener){Object}
Inherited from Widget

Registers an event handler on the instance. Call this method to hook an event with a listener.

Parameters

An event or an array of events to listen for.

listener Function

The function to call when the event fires.

Returns
Type Description
Object Returns an event handler with a remove() method that should be called to stop listening for the event(s).
Property Type Description
remove Function When called, removes the listener from the event.
Example
view.on("click", function(event){
  // event is the event handle returned after the event fires.
  console.log(event.mapPoint);
});

own

Inherited
Method
own(handleOrHandles)
Inherited from Widget
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.24 Widget since 4.2, own added at 4.24.
Deprecated since 4.28 Use addHandles() instead.

Adds one or more handles which are to be tied to the lifecycle of the widget. The handles will be removed when the widget is destroyed.

const handle = reactiveUtils.when(
  () => !view.updating,
  () => {
    wkidSelect.disabled = false;
  },
  { once: true}
);

this.own(handle); // Handle gets removed when the widget is destroyed.
Parameter
handleOrHandles WatchHandle|WatchHandle[]

Handles marked for removal once the widget is destroyed.

postInitialize

Inherited
Method
postInitialize()
Inherited from Widget

Executes after widget is ready for rendering.

removeHandles

Inherited
Method
removeHandles(groupKey)
Inherited from Accessor
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.25 Accessor since 4.0, removeHandles added at 4.25.

Removes a group of handles owned by the object.

Parameter
groupKey *
optional

A group key or an array or collection of group keys to remove.

Example
obj.removeHandles(); // removes handles from default group

obj.removeHandles("handle-group");
obj.removeHandles("other-handle-group");

render

Inherited
Method
render(){Object}
Inherited from Widget

This method is implemented by subclasses for rendering.

Returns
Type Description
Object The rendered virtual node.

renderNow

Inherited
Method
renderNow()
Inherited from Widget

Renders widget to the DOM immediately.

save

Method
save(){Promise<PortalItem>}
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.24 Directions since 4.6, save added at 4.24.

Saves the RouteLayer associated with the view model. This method will update the portal-item associated with layer.

Returns
Type Description
Promise<PortalItem> When resolved, returns a PortalItem.

saveAs

Method
saveAs(portalItem, options){Promise<PortalItem>}
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.24 Directions since 4.6, saveAs added at 4.24.

Saves the RouteLayer associated with the view model as a new portal item.

Parameters
portalItem Promise<PortalItem>

The new portal item to which the layer will be saved.

options Object
optional

Save options. Currently, there is only one property that can be set, which is folder.

Specification
folder PortalFolder
optional

The folder in which to save the item.

Returns
Type Description
Promise<PortalItem> Saved portal item.

scheduleRender

Inherited
Method
scheduleRender()
Inherited from Widget

Schedules widget rendering. This method is useful for changes affecting the UI.

when

Inherited
Method
when(callback, errback){Promise}
Inherited from Widget
Since: ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 4.19 Widget since 4.2, when added at 4.19.

when() may be leveraged once an instance of the class is created. This method takes two input parameters: a callback function and an errback function. The callback executes when the instance of the class loads. The errback executes if the instance of the class fails to load.

Parameters
callback Function
optional

The function to call when the promise resolves.

errback Function
optional

The function to execute when the promise fails.

Returns
Type Description
Promise Returns a new Promise for the result of callback.
Example
// Although this example uses the BasemapGallery widget, any class instance that is a promise may use when() in the same way
let bmGallery = new BasemapGallery();
bmGallery.when(function(){
  // This function will execute once the promise is resolved
}, function(error){
  // This function will execute if the promise is rejected due to an error
});

zoomToRoute

Method
zoomToRoute()

Zoom so that the full route is displayed within the current map extent.

Type Definitions

SearchProperties

Type Definition
SearchProperties

Configurable Search properties of the widget.

Properties
activeSourceIndex Number
optional

Number index indicating the current selected source.

allPlaceholder String
optional

String value used as a hint for input text when searching on multiple sources.

autoNavigate Boolean
optional
Default Value:true

Indicates whether to automatically navigate to the selected result once selected.

autoSelect Boolean
optional

Indicates whether to automatically select and zoom to the first geocoded result.

includeDefaultSources Boolean|Function
optional

Indicates whether or not to include defaultSources in the Search UI. This can be a boolean value or a function that returns an array of Search sources.

locationType String
optional

Define the type of location, either "street" or "rooftop". The default value will be "street" for any locator source that does not define a locationType.

maxResults Number
optional
Default Value:6

Indicates the maximum number of search results to return.

maxSuggestions Number
optional
Default Value:6

Indicates the maximum number of suggestions to return for the widget's input.

minSuggestCharacters Number
optional
Default Value:1

Indicates the minimum number of characters required before querying for a suggestion.

popupEnabled Boolean
optional
Default Value:false

Indicates whether to display a Popup when a selected result is clicked.

popupTemplate PopupTemplate
optional

A customized PopupTemplate for the selected feature.

resultGraphicEnabled Boolean
optional
Default Value:false

Indicates whether to show a graphic on the map for the selected source.

searchAllEnabled Boolean
optional

Indicates whether to display the option to search all sources.

searchTerm String
optional

The value of the search box input text string.

optional

Specifies the sources to search in the view.

suggestionsEnabled Boolean
optional
Default Value:true

Indicates whether to display suggestions as the user enters input text in the widget.

optional

The view of the widget.

viewModel SearchViewModel
optional

The Search widget's view model.

VisibleElements

Type Definition
VisibleElements

The visible elements that are displayed within the widget. This provides the ability to turn individual elements of the widget's display on/off.

Properties
layerDetails Boolean
optional

Indicates whether to a link to the route layer portal-item (if any) will be displayed. Default is true.

saveAsButton Boolean
optional

Indicates whether to the Save As button will be displayed. Default is true.

saveButton Boolean
optional

Indicates whether to the Save button will be displayed. Default is true.

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