My First Bot

This section explains how to create a C# console application connected to the Easybots platform. The app will contain a bot named "My First Bot" that has one Action named 'SayHelloWorld'

Overview

On high level, this example will:
  • Create new 'Console Application' in Visual Studio
  • Add assembly references to the required DLLs
  • Create a link from the console application to the Easybots plaform
  • Add a licence, so that the app can communicate with the Easybots platform
  • Create a bot with one action that can be called by other bots

Step by Step

Step 1: New Project


Using Visual Studio, create a new Console Application

Step 2: Adding References


Your app needs to reference the 'Easybots.Apps' assemblies. This example uses NuGet to add the references:
In Visual Studio, go to Tools -> NuGet Package Manager -> Package Manager Console
Run the command: 
Install-Package Easybots.Apps

Step 3: Add a licence file to the project


Each easybots app must have a licence in order to connect to the platform. The licence is downloaded for free through the Easybots Studio.
3.1. In Visual Studio, add a new class file, with a name similar to 'Licence.cs'
3.2. In Easybots Studio, navigate to "Develop and Manage Apps" -> Get App Licence
3.3. Save the licence file to the same file 'Licence.cs' added in step 3.1.

Step 4: Create Link to the Easybots Platform


4.1. In the AssemblyInfo.cs file, specify the name of the app by adding the following line: 
[assembly: Easybots.Apps.EasybotsApp("My First App")]
4.2. Edit the Main method, connect to the platform by adding the following code line: 
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    var link = Easybots.Apps.EasybotsLink.CreateLink();   

    // Prevent the app from exiting with a blocking call
    Console.ReadKey(); 
}
Verify Step 4 - click to expand..
Start the app (console application), and open the Easybots Studio. In the App Explorer you should see "My First App", with no bots.

Step 5: Create Your First Bot


Add a new class that inherits from Easybots.Apps.Easybot.
The base constructor expects an ID of the bot to be specified. We will name this bot "My First Bot". 
class MyFirstBot : Easybots.Apps.Easybot
{
    public MyFirstBot() : base("My First Bot")
    {
    }
}
Next, create an instance of this bot. 
static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var link = Easybots.Apps.EasybotsLink.CreateLink();
        var bot = new MyFirstBot();

        // Prevent the app from exiting with a blocking call
        Console.ReadKey(); 
}
Verify Step 5 - click to expand..
Start the app. In Easybots Studio, "My First App", should have one bot "My First Bot", without any triggers or actions.

Step 6: Add an 'Action'


Adding an Easybots 'Action' to your bot is done simply by decorating any public instance method with the attribute [Easybots.Apps.ActionAttribute] 
class MyFirstBot : Easybots.Apps.Easybot
{
    public MyFirstBot() : base(ID: "My First Bot")
    {
    }

    [Easybots.Apps.Action]
    public string SayHelloWorld()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello World!");
        return "Hello World!";
    }
}
Verify Step 6 - click to expand..
Start the app. In Easybots Studio, the bot "My First Bot", should have one action called 'SayHelloWorld'.
Well Done! Congratulations on creating your first bot.
Next: Your First Trigger