Are custom slot values requred in Alexa Skill?

Question

Are custom slot values required?

Let's assume that I have web application with Items in database.

In alexa skill user can say: "tell me about ${item.name}".

I have custom slot LIST_OF_ITEMS that looks like:

Value: Item Box ID:5

Value: React JS book ID: 12

Are slot values requred? Can I just get what user said and search by this name using my web application API?

var item = slots.items.resolutions.resolutionsPerAuthority[0].values[0].value;

Answer 1

Yes. The slot values you provide give the Alexa engine a 'hint' as to what to expect, even if you expect to receive other values besides those that you list.