Unraveling the Mystery: Coding Prerequisites for Blue Prism

Introduction

Automation has rapidly transformed industries worldwide, and in this digital age, robotic process automation (RPA) tools like Blue Prism have become increasingly essential for businesses. Blue Prism is a powerful software that enables the automation of repetitive, manual tasks without human intervention, allowing businesses to focus on more critical and strategic activities. While mastering Blue Prism is critical for anyone working in RPA, one of the first hurdles is understanding the necessary coding prerequisites. In this article, we will explore the coding skills required to effectively use Blue Prism, the different languages involved, and how beginners can get started.

Unraveling the Mystery: Coding Prerequisites for Blue Prism

Before diving into the technical intricacies of Blue Prism, it is important to understand what coding skills and knowledge will give you an advantage in your RPA journey. While Blue Prism is a low-code platform designed for ease of use, having a solid foundation in coding can help you unlock the tool’s full potential.

1. Understanding Blue Prism’s Low-Code Environment

Blue Prism operates in a “low-code” environment, which means that, while you don’t need to be a professional coder to use it, basic knowledge of certain programming concepts is incredibly beneficial. The tool uses a visual process design interface where users can drag and drop various actions to create automation workflows. However, there are instances when you’ll need to write code snippets to handle more complex tasks or integrate external systems.

2. Coding Prerequisites for Blue Prism

There are a few coding prerequisites that will make working with Blue Prism much easier, even though the platform is designed to be intuitive and beginner-friendly.

2.1. Basic Programming Concepts

Having a fundamental understanding of programming concepts is crucial when learning Blue Prism. The most common programming principles to be familiar with include:

• Variables and Data Types: Understanding different data types such as integers, strings, and booleans will help you handle data more efficiently within Blue Prism.
• Loops: Loops allow you to repeat actions, which is useful for iterating through lists of items or repeating tasks until certain conditions are met.
• Conditionals: Knowing how to use if-else statements allows you to make decisions within your automation processes based on different conditions.
• Functions: Functions enable you to bundle reusable pieces of code, improving both efficiency and readability in your automation workflows.

2.2. VBScript

One of the most important coding languages to master when working with Blue Prism is VBScript. Blue Prism’s primary coding language is VBScript, and it is used extensively within the software for writing scripts that handle actions such as:

• Data manipulation (e.g., splitting strings or parsing data).
• Complex logic that cannot be achieved through the visual interface.
• Interacting with external applications and databases.

If you’re new to VBScript, it’s worth noting that it’s a simple language with syntax similar to other scripting languages. Learning the basics of VBScript will give you the ability to extend Blue Prism’s functionality and customize workflows based on your business needs.

2.3. .NET Framework

Blue Prism integrates well with the .NET Framework, which is used for building applications and services on the Windows platform. If you’re aiming to develop complex automation tasks or need to extend Blue Prism’s capabilities, knowledge of the .NET framework can be helpful. You’ll often use the .NET Framework when:

• Creating custom code stages within Blue Prism.
• Working with external libraries or APIs.
• Accessing data sources via database connections or web services.

Familiarity with C# and other .NET languages will make it easier to create seamless integrations with third-party systems and services.

3. Key Areas Where Coding in Blue Prism is Essential

While the Blue Prism interface is designed to minimize the need for coding, there are situations where coding becomes necessary. These include:

3.1. Customizing Automation Workflows

Even though Blue Prism allows you to build automation workflows visually, you might encounter scenarios where the predefined actions don’t cover your requirements. In such cases, you can use VBScript or other coding techniques to implement custom logic that goes beyond the capabilities of the built-in actions.

3.2. Error Handling and Debugging

Robust error handling is critical in any automated system. When building automation in Blue Prism, you may encounter errors, especially when dealing with large datasets or external systems. By writing custom error-handling code using VBScript, you can ensure that the robot knows how to react in case of failure, such as retrying a task or logging detailed error messages for further investigation.

3.3. Integration with External Systems

One of the most powerful features of Blue Prism is its ability to interact with external applications and services. Whether you’re connecting to databases, APIs, or web services, coding knowledge will be necessary to set up these integrations effectively. Blue Prism provides an integration toolkit that can be extended using VBScript and .NET code.

4. Step-by-Step Guide to Start Coding in Blue Prism

Now that you understand the coding prerequisites for Blue Prism, let’s walk through a simple step-by-step process to help you get started with coding in the platform.

Step 1: Learn the Basics of VBScript

Start by understanding the basics of VBScript. You can find free resources and tutorials online to get a grasp of its syntax and structure. Focus on understanding variables, loops, and conditionals, as these are essential in Blue Prism scripting.

Step 2: Explore Blue Prism’s Built-in Functions

Blue Prism comes with a vast array of built-in functions that you can use to manipulate data and control processes. Take time to explore these functions through the Blue Prism interface and experiment with them to see how they can be used in various scenarios.

Step 3: Write Simple Scripts

Once you’re comfortable with VBScript, try writing simple scripts within Blue Prism. Start by automating basic tasks, such as reading from or writing to an Excel file, or making a web request. Test these scripts and gradually increase the complexity as you grow more confident.

Step 4: Integrate with External Systems

As you gain more experience, you’ll likely need to integrate Blue Prism with external systems. Try writing scripts that allow Blue Prism to connect to databases, read data from APIs, or automate interactions with third-party applications. This step is where .NET Framework knowledge can come in handy.

Step 5: Debug and Optimize

Once your automation processes are up and running, you’ll need to test them thoroughly. Use Blue Prism’s built-in debugging tools to identify and fix issues. Continuously optimize your code to ensure the automation is efficient and free of errors.

5. Troubleshooting Tips for Blue Prism Coding

Even experienced users run into issues when working with Blue Prism. Below are some troubleshooting tips to help you navigate common coding challenges:

• Check the Logs: Blue Prism logs errors in real-time. If your automation fails, the log can provide valuable insights into where the problem lies.
• Validate Your Code: Ensure that your VBScript syntax is correct. Sometimes, a simple typo or missing semicolon can cause errors.
• Use Breakpoints: Set breakpoints in your code to pause execution and inspect the values of variables at runtime.
• Test with Sample Data: Before running your code on live data, test it on sample data to ensure everything functions as expected.

6. Conclusion

Blue Prism is an invaluable tool for automating business processes, and while it is designed to be accessible to users with little or no coding experience, having a basic understanding of programming concepts and languages like VBScript can significantly enhance your capabilities. By familiarizing yourself with the coding prerequisites outlined in this article, you will be better equipped to create efficient, scalable automation processes that can benefit your organization. Remember, practice is key—so take your time to experiment and troubleshoot as you learn.

For further reading, check out Blue Prism’s official website for more detailed documentation and resources.

Interested in learning more about Blue Prism and automation? Visit our Automation Learning Hub for free tutorials and courses.

This article is in the category Guides & Tutorials and created by CodingTips Team