RPA Framework provides a comprehensive suite of open-source libraries and tools for Robotic Process Automation (RPA), designed for seamless integration with both Robot Framework and Python. It aims to equip software robot developers with well-documented, actively maintained core libraries, offering extensive capabilities for automating various business processes.

How It Works

The framework is built around Robot Framework, a generic test automation framework, and extends its capabilities with a wide array of specialized libraries. These libraries abstract complex operations, such as browser automation (Selenium, Playwright), desktop application control, file system manipulation, cloud service integration (AWS, Azure, Google), and AI services (OpenAI, DocumentAI). This modular approach allows developers to pick and choose the specific functionalities they need, promoting code reusability and maintainability.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Typically installed via pip install rpaframework or managed through a conda.yaml file when using Robocorp Developer Tools.
• Prerequisites: Python 3.8+ is required. Specific libraries like RPA.Browser.Playwright may require additional dependencies such as Node.js and robotframework-browser, necessitating a conda.yaml with nodejs and rfbrowser init post-install steps.
• Documentation: https://rpaframework.org/

Highlighted Details

• Extensive library coverage for web, desktop, cloud, and AI automation.
• Supports both Robot Framework and direct Python usage.
• Optimized for Robocorp's RPA ecosystem (Control Room, Developer Tools).
• Includes libraries for interacting with popular services like AWS, Google Cloud, HubSpot, and OpenAI.

Maintenance & Community

• Actively maintained and sponsored by Robocorp.
• Community support available via the Robocorp Developers Slack channel.
• Contribution guide available at https://rpaframework.org/contributing/guide.html.

Licensing & Compatibility

• Licensed under the Apache License 2.0.
• Permissive license suitable for commercial use and integration into closed-source projects.

Limitations & Caveats

• Certain libraries, particularly RPA.Browser.Playwright, have complex installation requirements involving Node.js and specific post-installation steps.
• The project notes potential dependency issues with newer Python versions (e.g., 3.12+) and specific older versions (3.7.6, 3.8.1).