# Switch node - MQTT like wildcards for switching

**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/switch-node-mqtt-like-wildcards-for-switching/46337
**Category:** Feature Requests
**Created:** [27 May 2021 11:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/switch-node-mqtt-like-wildcards-for-switching/46337 "2021-05-27T11:54:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 37

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### Author: ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)
#### Post date: [28 May 2021 22:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/switch-node-mqtt-like-wildcards-for-switching/46337/37 "2021-05-28T22:39:28Z")

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Hey @gerry I understand your point and Nick's but if you would let me flip that coin...

A novice who is learning MQTT might understand the whole `#+` filtering of topics but get them to do that in a function node or regex or JSONata and they end up here asking "how do I do ..."

So I started this thread to canvas opinion and so far I see a 60/40 approach, 60 like it 40 are "um but you can do xyz".

The the guy who raised this originally posted an interesting comment that led me starting this thread...

> [@Message structure convention](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/message-structure-convention/46324/4):
>
> there is no reason whatsoever of having payload and topic field in the first place... It looks like someone had an idea and lost interest in it half way through 😕

... To which I was originally defensive but he did raise an interesting point.

Keep the comments coming. It's good to debate. 🙂

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