In Blue Prism, data types play a crucial role in defining the kind of data that can be stored and manipulated within the automation platform. Understanding the various data types available is essential for building efficient and error-free processes. In this article, we will explore the different data types in Blue Prism and identify which one is not a valid option.
Blue Prism Data Types
Blue Prism provides several built-in data types that cover a wide range of use cases. These data types include:
- Text: Used for storing alphanumeric characters.
- Number: Used for storing numeric values.
- Date/Time: Used for storing dates and times.
- Boolean: Used for storing logical values (True or False).
- Currency: Used for storing monetary values.
- Password: Used for securely storing sensitive information like passwords.
- Image: Used for storing image files or screenshots.
- Email Address: Used for storing email addresses.
- Credit Card Number: Used for storing credit card numbers securely.
Each of these data types has its own specific purpose and characteristics, allowing developers to handle different kinds of information within their processes efficiently.
The Invalid Data Type in Blue Prism
All of the aforementioned data types are valid options in Blue Prism except for one – the List data type. Unlike other programming languages or automation platforms, Blue Prism does not have a built-in List data type. This means that it does not provide a direct mechanism for storing or manipulating a collection of values in a list format.
However, this limitation does not imply that you cannot work with lists in Blue Prism. You can still achieve similar functionality by leveraging other data types and techniques available within the platform. For example, you can use a Text data type to store comma-separated values and then split them using the appropriate utility functions when needed.
Working with Lists in Blue Prism
To work effectively with lists in Blue Prism, you can follow these steps:
- Create a Text variable to store the comma-separated values.
- Use the appropriate utility function, such as the ‘Utility – String’ object’s ‘Split’ method, to split the text into individual elements based on the delimiter (in this case, a comma).
- Store the resulting array of values in another variable or work with them directly as per your process requirements.
By utilizing this approach, you can mimic list-like behavior within Blue Prism processes without having an explicit List data type.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Blue Prism offers various data types that enable developers to handle different kinds of information efficiently. While all of these data types are valid options within the platform, there is no built-in List data type available. However, by utilizing alternative techniques like splitting text into arrays, you can still achieve similar functionality when working with lists in Blue Prism.