Suncoast Credit Union and Armwood High School - UiPath automation developer series - session 3
- 1. UiPath Suncoast Credit Union and Armwood HS Session 3
- 2. Lesson 3 Variables and Arguments
- 3. Agenda Variables and Their Types 1 Variables Panel 2 Scope of a Variable 3 Arguments 4 Arguments Panel 5 Argument Directions 6 Arguments vs. Variables 7
- 4. Learning Objectives 1 Define Variables and Explain Their Types 2 Explain Variables Panel 3 Explain the Scope of a Variable 4 Explain Arguments 5 Explain Arguments Panel
- 5. Learning Objectives 6 Describe and Use Argument Directions 7 Compare Arguments and Variables
- 6. • Introduction to Variables • Properties of Variables • Best Practices for Naming Variables • Types of Variables in Studio Variables and Their Types
- 7. Variables are containers that are used to store multiple types of data. A variable: Introduction to Variables • makes it easier to label and store data which can later be used throughout the automation process • has an initial value that may change during the program through an external input, data manipulation or passing from one activity to another • is like a box that stores data Example: A box (variable) named Counter that tracks the number of times users clicked on an item • can be used throughout the automation process later and can also be used in multiple workflows with modifications
- 8. Scope Designates parts of a program that can use a variable (local, global) 4 Type Kind of data that the variable is intended to store 2 Value Data that a variable holds (may change during the process) 3 Name Name of the variable 1 Users can configure variables through their properties: Properties of Variables
- 9. A variable’s name should be meaningful and hint towards the information it stores. While naming any variable, the user should: Best Practices for Naming Variables Use clear & meaningful names Assign names in a consistent manner Use Camel case to name variable Keep the names descriptive yet short
- 10. 02 String 1 3 4 2 Boolean Number Date and Time 5 6 7 DataTabl e QueueItem Array Different types of variables in Studio are: Types of Variables
- 11. • Company Name in Invoice • Variable name can be CompName with value “XYZ Corp”. Example To store text and reuse it in the code for specific actions Usage String variables help store any sequence of text Definition 1. String Variables
- 12. • Is the item available in the invoice? • TRUE when the item is available • FALSE when the item is unavailable Example Used with control statements to help determine the flow of a program Usage Boolean variables hold only two values: “True” or “False” Definition 2. Boolean Variables
- 13. • Item Quantity • Variable name can be ItemQuant with value 50 Example To execute equations or perform comparisons, pass important data, etc. Usage Number variables store numeric values Definition 3. Number Variables
- 14. • Invoice Date • Variable name can be InvDate with value 01/01/2020 Example Used to calculate the number of days between two dates, store current date details, etc. Usage Date and time variables store information about any date and time Definition 4. Date and Time Variables
- 15. • List of all items in the invoice • Variable name can be dt_InvItem with values Item1, Item2, Item3,…. Example Used to migrate data from a database to another, extract information from a website and store it locally in a spreadsheet Usage DataTable variables store tabular data in rows & columns and may hold large pieces of data & act as a database Definition 5. DataTable Variables
- 16. • A particular invoice in the queue of invoices Example Used to input extracted items in other processes Usage A variable particular to UiPath, the QueueItem variable stores an item extracted from a queue (container of items) Definition 6. QueueItem Variables
- 17. • An array of names of two items • Variable name can be ArrCompName with value {“ABC”, “XYZ”} Example Used to organize data so that a related set of values can be easily sorted or searched Usage An Array variable is a collection that stores multiple elements of the same data type Definition 7. Array Variables
- 18. Array String It is a sequential collection of elements of similar data types It is a sequence of single characters represented as a single data type Its elements are stored contiguously in increasing memory locations It can be stored in any manner in memory locations It is a special variable that can hold more than one value at a time It can hold only character data Its length is predefined Its size is not predefined Array vs. String
- 19. • Introduction to Variables Panel • Managing Variables Variables Panel
- 20. It enables the users to create variables and modify them. Introduction to Variables Panel
- 21. Introduction to Variables Panel Step 01 Define a name Step 02 Choose type from drop-down list Step 03 Choose scope Step 04 Specify a default value, if required
- 22. In Studio, a user can create, modify and initialize variables from the Variables Panel. Managing Variables Create Initialize Modify
- 23. Demonstrate the steps to create Variables using: • Variables panel • Designer panel • Properties panel Classroom Exercise
- 24. • Introduction to the Scope of a Variable Scope of a Variable
- 25. A variable declared for a parent activity is available in the entire workflow A variable declared in any specific activity is available only for the scope of that activity The scope is chosen from the list of sequences in the Scope drop-down field while creating a variable. The variable is available in the selected container The scope determines the containers in which the variable is available. Introduction to the Scope of a Variable
- 26. • Introduction to Arguments • Properties of Arguments Arguments
- 27. Arguments are used to pass data from one workflow to another. Introduction to Arguments Enable users to reuse workflows Store data dynamically Useful in automation projects with multiple workflows
- 28. Direction Direction from/to which the data is passed 02 Name Name of the argument 01 Value Data that an argument holds 04 Type Kind of data that the argument is intended to store 03 Users can configure arguments through their properties: Properties of Arguments
- 29. • Introduction to Arguments Panel • Managing Arguments Arguments Panel
- 30. Enables the users to create arguments and modify them. Introduction to Arguments Panel
- 31. Step 01 Define a name Step 02 Set the direction Step 03 Specify the data type Step 04 Specify a default value In Studio, a user can create arguments from the Arguments Panel through the ‘Create Argument’ option. Managing Arguments
- 32. • Introduction to Argument directions Argument Directions
- 33. In • Argument can only be used within a given project Out • Argument can be used to pass data outside a given project In/Out • Argument can be used both within and outside a project 01 02 03 Specify the direction from/to which the data is passed. Introduction to Argument Directions
- 34. Demonstrate the steps to create and initialize arguments through the Arguments panel. Create two workflows: • The first workflow will add two arguments and pass the result to the other workflow • The second workflow will then add the values and return the result Classroom Exercise
- 35. • Comparison Arguments vs. Variables
- 36. Arguments Variables Argument stores data and passes it between workflows Variable stores data and passes it between activities It can be used across multiple workflows (direction to be defined) It is limited to the workflow in which it is defined It is created & modified through the Arguments Panel It is created & modified through the Variables Panel It is defined by properties: Name, Direction, Type, Default Value It is defined by properties: Name, Type, Scope, Default Value Arguments vs. Variables
- 37. Build a workflow that swaps two numbers using a third variable. • Ask the user to input two numeric values and store them in two variables • Swap values of both the variables using a third variable • Display initial and swapped values of both the variables in the Output panel Practice Exercise
- 38. Summary Variable and Its Types 1 Variables Panel 2 Scope of a Variable 3 Arguments 4 Arguments Panel 5 Argument Directions 6 Argument vs. Variable 7