Learn and Build Azure Bot With Bot Framework SDK V4

Azure Bot Service provides an integrated environment that is purpose-built for bot development, enabling you to build, connect, test, deploy, and manage intelligent bots.

In this tutorial, you will learn the following:

1. Create Bot using VS2017 (Bot Framework SDK V4 template)
2. Launch Emulator to run and test the Bot locally
3. Create Azure Bot using Azure Bot Services
4. Deploy and test the Bot at Web Chat

Below are the prerequisites:

• Visual Studio 2017 or later version 
• Bot Framework Emulator for SDK V4
• Bot Framework SDK V4 Template for C#

Step 1 - Create Bot using VS2017 (Bot framework SDK V4 template)

• Launch Visual Studio 2017, create a new project, and select the Bot Framework.
• Select the Echo Bot (Bot Framework V4) template.
• Select the location and give the bot name.
• Click OK to create the project.

• The project consists of all necessary code to get started with a quick bot. Expand the solution followed by the Bot folder. Click on the EchoBot.cs file.

EchoBot.cs file consists of two main methods.

• OnMessageActivityAsync -> Invoke with every new message
• OnMembersAddedAsync -> invoke first time to add to any channel

Step 2 - Launch Emulator to run and test the Bot locally

• Fill out the fields for your bot. Use your bot's welcome page address (typically http://localhost:3978) and append routing info '/api/messages' to this address.
• Click "Connect".

As you connect with Bot Framework Emulator.

• A welcome message will appear at the initial stage, i.e., “Hello and Welcome”.
• Type the message “How r u “. You will get back the echo with the same message.

So, a simple echo bot is created and tested locally using Bot Framework V4.

Step 3 - Create an Azure Bot using Azure Bot Services

Log into the Azure portal.

• Click the "Create a new resource" link found on the upper left-hand corner of the Azure portal.
• Select AI + Machine Learning.
• Select Web App bot.

Navigate to Azure Bot Service blade.

• Set all the required information.
• Name
• Subscription
• Resource Group
• Location
• Pricing
• App Name

• Select the Bot Template, i.e., Echo Bot (C#).
• Click OK to select the template.
• Click "Create" to the Azure Bot Service and deploy the bot to the cloud.

Navigate to the App Service Setting to get the Publish profile.

• Select "All App Service Settings".
• Select "Overview".
• Click on "Get Publish Profile" to download.

Step 4 - Deploy and test the Bot at Web Chat

• Navigate and right-click on Visual Studio Project solution.
• Select "Build" and then publish it.
• As you are doing the first time, the profile is not selected till yet. Click the Start 

• Browse the downloaded profile and click the Publish button.
• The solution will get deployed to the cloud.

Now that your bot is created, test it in Web Chat.

Test the bot

In the Bot Management section, click Test in Web Chat. The Azure Bot Service will load the Web Chat control and connect to your bot.

I hope you have enjoyed and learned something new in this article. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next article. 

SharePoint Online - Set A Reminder

This article will talk about the below-defined two artifacts and when to use what.

1. Set a Reminder
2. Alert Me 

S.no	Set a Reminder	Alert ME
1	It is available for the Modern experience only	It is available for both the Modern and Classic experiences.
2	It works with both List and Library with a defined custom date column	It works with List and Library without any defined column
3	It works as a reminder for a particular user, even without an update or action trigger to item or document	It works as a trigger but it needs an item update or any action trigger to item or document.
4	Custom Date column is a prerequisite	Event trigger; i.e. Item create, update, delete is a prerequisite

Let's get started to explore more on this topic.

Step 1: Create a Custom List or Library with Custom Date Column

List or Library can have multiple date columns, then "Set a reminder" shows all the date columns. It will work with a single selection of date column.

Let's follow the below steps to proceed.

1. Hover on the Flow option.
2. Select Flow option at List View Level.
3. Select Set a reminder.
4. Select custom date column  i.e. Column Name "Date".

Step 2: Configure MS Flow for OOTB Reminder Template

One you select date column, the flow template will appear. Set the "Remind Me" as the number of days, i.e., 2. It means the reminder will trigger two days before the defined timeframe in Date Column.

Step 3: Trigger Flow and Check the Email

How does it work now? Example: If a user has created a couple of items or document in List or Library where date column is configured as the 5th of the current month, as the user mentioned the reminder duration is 2 days, on the 3rd of the same month, they will get notified.

Flow executes and triggers an email two days before, as per the defined date in the Date column.

NoteThe reminder will be triggered for the user who has configured the reminder, irrespective of the document in the list.

Now, let's talk about Alert also. Alert is an existing feature of SharePoint Online and OnPremises. Alert can be defined at Item as well as List or Library level.

Step 1: Alert Me at List Level 

If I navigate to List and click the "...", the fall back menu option will appear with the "ALERT ME" option.

Step 2: Alert Me Trigger Options at List Level

The Alert Me option triggers the email or message based on change type; i.e., a new item added, existing items modified, items deleted.

Step 3: Alert Me at List Item Level

If I navigate to List Item and click the "...", the fall back menu option will appear with "ALERT ME" option.

Step 4: Alert Me Trigger Options at List Item Level

The Alert Me option triggers the email or message based on change type; i.e., any changes to document or item created or modified by ME.

I hope you have enjoyed and learned something about "when to use what" in this article. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next article.