Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework

Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework

by Joe Mayo
Released October 2017
Publisher(s): Microsoft Press
ISBN: 0134835905

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Video description

5+ Hours of Video Instruction

Learn how to build conversational user interfaces with the Microsoft Bot Framework

Overview

Reflecting the next radical revolution in human-computer interaction, this Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework video will help you leverage advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing to empower new and existing applications with stunningly intuitive conversational interfaces.

Long-time Microsoft MVP Joe Mayo begins with high-level explanations of what Microsoft Bot Framework is, what you can do with it, and why it matters so much. Next, he presents the foundational knowledge you need to start creating real bots and conversational user interfaces (CUIs). Step by step, you'll learn how to build message dialogs, manage conversations, implement dialogs, incorporate powerful natural language processing with Microsoft's advanced Language Understanding Intelligent Service (LUIS), add GUI elements to a chatbot, and finally publish your chatbot. Mayo also offers detailed guidance on deploying your customized bots to key platforms such as Skype.

Throughout, Mayo's practical examples combine code with clear explanations of when and why you would perform each task. From start to finish, Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework is relentlessly practical, helping you translate the advanced "magic" of intelligent bots into real solutions right now.

About the Instructor

Joe Mayo is an author and independent software consultant, specializing in Microsoft technologies. Joe has written 7 books, many magazine articles, and taught numerous online and in-person courses. His experience spans multiple technologies for desktop, cloud, and device. He is also author of the LINQ to Twitter open source project. Joe is a long-time MVP with several years of awards. Joe lives in Las Vegas, NV, and tweets (as @JoeMayo) about chatbots on Twitter. He is currently writing a book "Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework” for Microsoft Press.

Skill Level

Intermediate

Learn How To

  • Get started with the Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Create a new project and test with the Bot Framework Emulator
  • Manage conversations
  • Build dialogs and customize FormFlow
  • Handle dynamic conversations
  • Use natural language processing
  • Create and improve LUIS models
  • Add speech; animation, audio, and video cards; and location controls to a chatbot
  • Publish chatbots to Skype, web pages, and more

Who Should Watch This Video

These video lessons are for programmers and Microsoft .NET developers who want to reach customers and users with a conversational user interface through messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and Skype.

Requirements

Understand how to code with the C# programming language

Some knowledge of ASP.NET and Web API is useful, but not required

Some knowledge of Azure Web App Deployment is helpful, but not required

Table of Contents

Introduction

Lesson 1: Getting started with the Microsoft Bot Framework

Lesson 2: Managing conversations

Lesson 3: Implementing dialogs and FormFlow

Lesson 4: Using natural language processing with LUIS

Lesson 5: Adding GUI elements to a chatbot

Lesson 6: Publishing bots

Summary

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
    1. Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework: Introduction
  2. Lesson 1: Getting Started with the Microsoft Bot Framework
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 1.1 Learn what chatbots are
    3. 1.2 Understand Bot Framework architecture
    4. 1.3 Explore documentation and resources
    5. 1.4 Set up prerequisites
    6. 1.5 Create a new project
    7. 1.6 Test with the Bot Framework Emulator
  3. Lesson 2: Managing Conversations
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 2.1 Review the demo Meeting Scheduler chatbot
    3. 2.2 Examine the elements of a conversation
    4. 2.3 Save and retrieve state
    5. 2.4 Participate in conversations
    6. 2.5 Handle activities
    7. 2.6 Work with advanced activities
  4. Lesson 3: Implementing Dialogs and FormFlow
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 3.1 Understand dialog concepts
    3. 3.2 Build dialogs
    4. 3.3 Use FormFlow
    5. 3.4 Improve the FormFlow experience
    6. 3.5 Customize FormFlow
    7. 3.6 Handle dynamic conversations
  5. Lesson 4: Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) with LUIS
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 4.1 Understand NLP
    3. 4.2 Create a LUIS model
    4. 4.3 Code intent handlers
    5. 4.4 Use pre-built models
    6. 4.5 Improve LUIS models
    7. 4.6 Add speech to a chatbot
  6. Lesson 5: Adding GUI Elements to a Chatbot
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 5.1 Enhance text with markup
    3. 5.2 Handle attachments
    4. 5.3 Implement basic cards
    5. 5.4 Respond to card events
    6. 5.5 Add animation, audio, and video cards
    7. 5.6 Review additional cards
    8. 5.7 Use adaptive cards
    9. 5.8 Handle location and other controls
    10. 5.9 Accept payments
  7. Lesson 6: Publishing Chatbots
    1. Learning objectives
    2. 6.1 Register a chatbot
    3. 6.2 Understand channel configuration
    4. 6.3 Register your chatbot with Skype for business
    5. 6.4 Register your chatbot with Teams
    6. 6.5 Create a Cortana skill
    7. 6.6 Discover chatbots on Bing
    8. 6.7 Create email and SMS chatbots
    9. 6.8 Add chatbots to a Web page
  8. Summary
    1. Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework: Summary

Product information

  • Title: Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Author(s): Joe Mayo
  • Release date: October 2017
  • Publisher(s): Microsoft Press
  • ISBN: 0134835905