Bot editor for creating bots

The Bot editor enables users to create and edit bots on any device and from anywhere the user can access a web browser.

Overview

Because Automation 360 is web-based, there is no separate client to download. Access the Bot editor by logging in to Automation 360, navigating to Automation on the left panel, and then creating or opening a bot.

The Bot editor is a web-based environment and includes the following features:

  • Universal Recorder to simplify capturing processes
  • Search for a bot from the public workspace and your private workspace and add that bot to the current bot.

    The location of the selected bot in the public and private workspaces is also displayed.

    Note: An error occurs if you add a bot from a folder in the public workspace for which you do not have the Clone permission for that folder.
  • Powerful bot code management
  • Python and JavaScript actions support inline scripting without linking, with drag-and-drop integration
  • Rich variable passing, with no cross-language mapping required

Bot editor

Use the Bot editor to create and edit any bot through a web browser, regardless of the device or location. When you create a bot or modify an existing bot, the Bot editor is displayed.

You can create a bot by using the following options:
  • On the Home page, click Create a bot.
  • On the Automation page, click Create new > Bot in the top-right corner.
  • In the Files and folders table, click Create a bot (create a bot icon).
You can modify a bot by using the following options:
  • On the Automation page, select the bot to modify, click the actions menu (vertical ellipses) and click Edit Task Bot.
  • Select and open the bot you want modify.

See also the video at the end of this page on how to get started with the Bot editor.

There are three view options for bot creation:
Note: You can use the search box in the Flow, List, or Dual view to search for text, variables, or actions in a bot. This feature can be helpful when you view or edit a bot with longer code lines.
  • Flow: Displays actions used in an automation as a flow diagram (Default)
    Note: The Flow view is not available when you create or edit a bot and the bot exceeds 500 lines of code. Use the Show list view option to navigate to the list view.

    flow_view
  • List: Displays the actions used in an automation as a list
    Note: Drag the selected actions within the task logic.

    list_view
  • Dual: Displays the actions used in an automation from both Flow and List view aspects
    dual_view
The Flow, List, and Dual views display the following properties of actions:
  • The value that you enter for actions such as Set text for all the supported technologies
  • Names of the objects on which actions such as Set text, Click, Left click, Get property, and Select item by index are performed
  • Name of the object property mentioned in the action
  • Name of the return variable if some value is assigned to a variable
  • List of properties for the Get property action

See the video on enhanced bot building experience on Bot editor and AISense for Citizen developers.

Code analysis violations and policy details in Bot editor

Pro and Citizen Developers can see the code analysis violations in actions at the canvas level. A violation indicator is available for flow and list views, enabling Pro and Citizen Developers to quickly see and correct any actions in their automations that have code analysis violations. Code quality is enhanced when developers can easily determine violations and adhere to best practices when they are developing automations.

Pro and Citizen Developers no longer need to navigate to the policies page to view the applied policy and the rules contained in the policy. They can see the current code analysis policy and their rules from directly within the Bot editor from the drop-down menu (access from the three vertical ellipses in the upper right of the Bot editor) . This helps the users who do not have View policies and Manage policies permission to view current policy and their rules while editing the automation in the Bot editor itself instead of just viewing the violation.

code analysis policy option in bot editor

Bot Assistant

When you create a bot, use the feature Bot Assistant to get a comprehensive view of line numbers of the bots that require your action.

The Bot Assistant displays the name of the packages or action and line number on which action is required by you. When you click the line number, it directly takes you to the line where the error occurs.

For migrated bots, the Bot Assistant displays a comprehensive view of the package or action and line numbers of the bots that require review or action by you.

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