Microsoft is working on a new update for its Bot Framework. The company initially launched initially launched its bot-building service back at Build 2016, and it’s been introducing updates to the service ever since.

The cross-platform bot-building service currently allows developers build bots that work across services like Skype, Facebook Messenger, Slack, Telegram, and more using JavaScript, and C#. With the upcoming, open-sourced version of the Bot Framework SDK, Microsoft is bringing support for two new languages: Python and Java. Microsoft’s v4 of the Bot Builder will allow developers to build cross-platform bots on the Bot Framework with Python and Java, as well as the existing languages, reports Microsoft MVP Gary Petty (via ZDNet).

Along with support for Java and Python, the next version of the Bot Builder will allow developers to add a middleware to their bots in order to bring extra functionality to their bots. The new middleware system could be used by developers to connect their bots to multiple different services. The middleware system could enable developers to flow data from bots into other services, process them using the middleware, and then bring it back to the bot.

Microsoft is likely targetting Build 2018 for the release of the updated Bot Framework. The company’s current roadmap suggests the new Bot Builder will be ready for use in production by May, which lines up perfectly with Build 2018.

Tagged with Azure, Bot Framework, Microsoft