Step by Step Guide to Building an Acuity Scheduling API Integration in C#

Hey there, fellow developer! Ready to dive into the world of Acuity Scheduling API integration? Let's roll up our sleeves and get coding!

Introduction

Acuity Scheduling's API is a powerful tool that lets you tap into their scheduling prowess. Whether you're looking to automate appointment bookings or sync calendars, this guide will walk you through building a robust integration in C#. Trust me, it's easier than you might think!

Prerequisites

Before we jump in, make sure you've got:

• An Acuity Scheduling account (duh!)
• Your API credentials (keep 'em safe!)
• A C# development environment (Visual Studio, Rider, or whatever floats your boat)

Got all that? Great! Let's get this show on the road.

Setting up the project

First things first, fire up your IDE and create a new C# project. We'll be using a console app for simplicity, but feel free to adapt this to your needs.

Now, let's grab some packages. Open up your Package Manager Console and run:

Install-Package RestSharp
Install-Package Newtonsoft.Json

These will make our lives a whole lot easier when dealing with HTTP requests and JSON parsing.

Authentication

Acuity uses Basic Auth, which is pretty straightforward. Here's a quick way to set it up:

var client = new RestClient("https://acuityscheduling.com/api/v1/");
client.Authenticator = new HttpBasicAuthenticator(userId, apiKey);

Pro tip: Don't hardcode your credentials! Use environment variables or a secure configuration manager.

Making API requests

Let's create a base API client class to handle our requests:

public class AcuityClient
{
    private readonly RestClient _client;

    public AcuityClient(string userId, string apiKey)
    {
        _client = new RestClient("https://acuityscheduling.com/api/v1/");
        _client.Authenticator = new HttpBasicAuthenticator(userId, apiKey);
    }

    public async Task<T> GetAsync<T>(string endpoint)
    {
        var request = new RestRequest(endpoint);
        var response = await _client.ExecuteAsync<T>(request);
        return response.Data;
    }

    // Add Post, Put, Delete methods as needed
}

Implementing key API endpoints

Now for the fun part! Let's implement some key endpoints:

public async Task<List<AppointmentType>> GetAppointmentTypes()
{
    return await GetAsync<List<AppointmentType>>("appointment-types");
}

public async Task<List<Availability>> GetAvailability(int appointmentTypeId, DateTime date)
{
    var endpoint = $"availability/dates?appointmentTypeID={appointmentTypeId}&date={date:yyyy-MM-dd}";
    return await GetAsync<List<Availability>>(endpoint);
}

public async Task<Appointment> CreateAppointment(AppointmentRequest request)
{
    var endpoint = "appointments";
    // Implement POST request here
}

Error handling and logging

Don't forget to wrap your API calls in try-catch blocks and log any errors:

try
{
    var appointmentTypes = await acuityClient.GetAppointmentTypes();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Error fetching appointment types: {ex.Message}");
    // Log the error
}

Testing the integration

Time to put our code to the test! Write some unit tests for your methods and don't shy away from integration tests with real API calls (just be mindful of rate limits).

Best practices and optimization

Speaking of rate limits, make sure you're not hammering the API. Implement some caching for frequently accessed data like appointment types. Your future self (and Acuity's servers) will thank you!

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a solid foundation for your Acuity Scheduling API integration. From here, you can expand on this base, add more endpoints, and really make it sing.

Remember, the key to a great integration is not just making it work, but making it work smoothly and efficiently. Keep an eye on Acuity's documentation for any updates, and don't be afraid to reach out to their support if you hit any snags.

Now go forth and schedule like a boss! Happy coding!