Overview
Integrating Blue Prism with other systems or applications is a critical aspect of robotic process automation (RPA). It allows Blue Prism robots to interact with external systems, databases, web services, and applications to automate a wide range of business processes. This capability is fundamental for enhancing operational efficiency, reducing errors, and enabling seamless process automation across different platforms and technologies.
Key Concepts
- Application Modelling: Designing visual business objects (VBOs) in Blue Prism to interact with external applications.
- VBO Creation: Developing custom VBOs to integrate with APIs, web services, or databases.
- Error Handling: Implementing robust error handling mechanisms to manage exceptions during integration.
Common Interview Questions
Basic Level
- Can you explain how Blue Prism integrates with web services?
- Describe the process of creating a VBO in Blue Prism to connect with a database.
Intermediate Level
- How do you handle exceptions when integrating Blue Prism with external systems?
Advanced Level
- Discuss optimization strategies for Blue Prism integrations with high-latency systems.
Detailed Answers
1. Can you explain how Blue Prism integrates with web services?
Answer: Blue Prism integrates with web services using the Web Services VBO that comes out of the box. This VBO allows Blue Prism to consume SOAP and RESTful services by sending requests and receiving responses. The process involves defining the web service's WSDL for SOAP or the endpoint URL for RESTful services, configuring the necessary request parameters, and handling the responses within Blue Prism processes.
Key Points:
- Blue Prism supports both SOAP and RESTful web services.
- Integration requires configuring endpoint URLs, headers, and other request details.
- Handling responses typically involves parsing XML or JSON data.
Example:
// Example assumes a RESTful service integration
var client = new RestClient("http://example.com/api/service");
var request = new RestRequest(Method.GET);
request.AddHeader("content-type", "application/json");
IRestResponse response = client.Execute(request);
Console.WriteLine(response.Content); // Output the response content
2. Describe the process of creating a VBO in Blue Prism to connect with a database.
Answer: Creating a VBO in Blue Prism to connect with a database involves using the Database Utility provided by Blue Prism. The process includes defining the connection string to the database, executing SQL queries or stored procedures, and managing the query results. Error handling is also a crucial part of VBO creation to manage any exceptions during database interactions.
Key Points:
- Connection strings are critical for establishing database connectivity.
- Blue Prism can execute SQL commands and stored procedures.
- Managing query results involves parsing and utilizing the data within Blue Prism processes.
Example:
// Assuming a SQL Server database connection
string connectionString = "Server=myServerAddress;Database=myDataBase;User Id=myUsername;Password=myPassword;";
using (SqlConnection connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
SqlCommand command = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM myTable", connection);
connection.Open();
SqlDataReader reader = command.ExecuteReader();
try
{
while (reader.Read())
{
Console.WriteLine(String.Format("{0}, {1}", reader[0], reader[1]));
}
}
finally
{
// Always call Close when done reading.
reader.Close();
}
}
3. How do you handle exceptions when integrating Blue Prism with external systems?
Answer: Handling exceptions during integration involves implementing try-catch blocks within Blue Prism's business logic. This allows catching and managing specific errors that occur during the interaction with external systems. Blue Prism also offers the capability to log these exceptions or trigger alternative flows to ensure the robustness of the automated processes.
Key Points:
- Use try-catch blocks to manage exceptions.
- Specific exceptions can be caught and handled differently.
- Logging and alternative flow mechanisms ensure process continuity.
Example:
try
{
// Code that might throw an exception
ExternalSystem.CallMethod();
}
catch (SpecificException ex)
{
// Handle specific exception
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
// Handle unexpected exceptions
Console.WriteLine("Unexpected error: " + ex.Message);
}
finally
{
// Code to execute after try/catch blocks, regardless of outcome
}
4. Discuss optimization strategies for Blue Prism integrations with high-latency systems.
Answer: Optimizing Blue Prism integrations with high-latency systems involves several strategies, such as asynchronous processing, caching responses, and efficiently managing exception handling. Utilizing Blue Prism's capabilities to perform operations in parallel and reducing unnecessary interactions with external systems can significantly improve performance.
Key Points:
- Asynchronous processing reduces the impact of latency.
- Caching responses for frequently accessed data minimizes external calls.
- Efficient exception handling prevents unnecessary process halts.
Example:
// This example abstractly demonstrates the concept of asynchronous processing
async Task CallExternalSystemAsync()
{
// Asynchronously call an external system or service
await ExternalSystemService.GetDataAsync();
// Process the data received from the external system
ProcessData();
}
// Simulate processing of data
void ProcessData()
{
Console.WriteLine("Processing data...");
}
This guide covers fundamental aspects of integrating Blue Prism with other systems or applications, providing a solid foundation for interview preparation on this topic.
