1. Using Robots in Oracle Integration 3
  2. Build a Robot
  3. Create Connections to Applications

Create Connections to Applications

To complete its task, a robot must connect to an application. Provide the information that the robot needs, such as its credentials and the application's URL, by creating a robot connection. Base each robot connection on a robot connection type, which is similar to a template.

  1. Create a Robot Connection Type

    Skip this step if you can use a predefined connection type.

  2. Create a Robot Connection

Create a Robot Connection Type

Oracle Integration comes with a predefined robot connection type that handles most connection requirements. However, if an application requires additional parameters that aren't included in the predefined types, you can include these parameters in a robot connection type that you create.

To learn more, see About Robot Connections and Robot Connection Types.

Prerequisites:

To create a robot connection type:
  1. Open a project.
    1. In the navigation pane, select Projects.
    2. Select the project name.
  2. In the left toolbar, select Robot Robot.
  3. In the Robot connection types box, click Add.

    The Create robot connection type panel appears.

  4. Fill in the following fields:

    • Name: Enter a name for the robot connection type. When you create a robot connection, you base it on a robot connection type, so enter a helpful and straightforward name. Consider including details about its parameters.

    • Identifier: Oracle Integration generates this value using the Name value.

    • Description: Provide additional information about the robot connection type.

    • Keywords: Enter text that people might use to search for the robot connection type. Press Enter after you finish entering each keyword.

  5. Add the parameters for the robot connection type.

    A parameter is data that a robot needs to connect to an application. For example, to connect to a web application, a robot might need the application's URL, credentials, and key. If you're not sure of the fields the application requires, ask the application's administrator.

    1. In the panel, next to Properties, click Add +.
    2. Fill in the fields:

      • Name: Enter a name for the parameter, such as URL, User name, or Password. The value that you provide appears later when you create a robot connection, so enter a helpful and straightforward name.

      • Type: Select the data type of the parameter.

      • Secret: If the value for the property is a secret value, select this checkbox. For example, passwords are secrets. When you select this option, the value is masked: asterisks appear instead of the actual characters.

    3. Add additional parameters if needed.
  6. Click Create.

The robot connection type appears in the Robot connection types box with a status of Configured. You can now use the robot connection type to create a robot connection.

Need to update the robot connection type? See Update a Robot Connection Type.

Create a Robot Connection

A robot connection specifies the information that a robot needs to connect to an application. For example, a typical connection specifies the robot's user name and password, plus the URL for the application.

To learn more, see About Robot Connections and Robot Connection Types.

Tip:

Oracle recommends reusing robot connections whenever you can. You save time building, and updates to the values are faster in the future.

Option 1: Work Outside a Robot

You can create a robot connection before you even create a robot.

  1. Open a project.
    1. In the navigation pane, select Projects.
    2. Select the project name.
  2. In the left toolbar, select Robot Robot.
  3. In the Robot Connections box, click Add.

    The Create robot connection panel appears.

  4. In the list, select the robot connection type to base the connection on.

    If the robot connection type that you need hasn't been created yet, you can create it. See Create a Robot Connection Type.

    The fields that you must define for the robot connection appear, including the parameters that the robot connection type defined.

  5. Fill in the following fields:

    • Name: Enter a name for the robot connection. Consider including the name of the application for which you're creating the connection.

    • Identifier: Oracle Integration generates this value using the Name value.

    • Description: Provide additional information about the connection.

    • Keywords: Enter text that people might use to search for the connection. Press Enter after you finish entering each keyword.

  6. Enter values for the parameters for the robot connection, such as user name and password.

    Tip:

    While you build a robot, your robot connection typically uses the URL and credentials for a test, UAT, or similar environment. Later, when you are ready to deploy the robot to a production environment, you can update the robot connection so that it contains the production URL and credentials. See Update a Robot Connection.
  7. Click Create.

The robot connection appears in the Robot connections box.

If your robot needs to connect to another application, create another connection. Otherwise, start build your robot. See Create a Robot.

Option 2: Work in a Robot

You can create a robot connection right when you need it, while you're adding an action to a robot. Any action that lets you define a field using a robot connection parameter also lets you create a robot connection.

  1. In a robot, add an action that requires a robot connection.
    1. In the navigation pane, select Projects.
    2. Select the project name.
    3. In the left toolbar, select Robot Robot.
    4. Create a robot.
    5. Add an action that requires a robot connection.

      For instance, add an open browser action (see Add an Open Browser Action) or a login action (see Add a Login Action).

  2. In the Open Browser panel, select within the URL field, and select Robot connections Robot connections.

    The Robot connections panel appears.

  3. Next to Available robot connections, select Create Install icon.
  4. Fill in the fields.

    • Type: Select the robot connection type to base the connection on.

      If the robot connection type that you need hasn't been created yet, you can create it. See Create a Robot Connection Type.

    • Name: Enter a name for the robot connection. Consider including the name of the application for which you're creating the connection.

    • URL: Enter the URL for the web application.

    • Username: Enter the user name that the robot uses to sign in to the application.

    • Password: Enter the password for signing in.

  5. In the Robot connections panel, select OK.

    The robot connection is saved. The Robot connections panel refreshes and lists all available robot connections.

  6. Continue defining the open browser action.