Step by Step Guide to Building a Better Proposals API Integration in Ruby

Introduction

Hey there, fellow Ruby enthusiast! Ready to supercharge your proposal game? Let's dive into integrating the Better Proposals API into your Ruby project. This powerhouse API will streamline your proposal creation process, making you wonder how you ever lived without it.

Prerequisites

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

• Ruby 2.7+ (because who doesn't love the latest and greatest?)
• The httparty gem (our trusty HTTP sidekick)
• Your Better Proposals API credentials (don't leave home without 'em!)

Setting Up the Environment

First things first, let's get our ducks in a row:

gem install httparty

# In your project
require 'httparty'
require 'json'

Now, let's keep those API credentials safe and sound:

API_KEY = 'your_api_key_here'
API_BASE_URL = 'https://api.betterproposals.io/v1'

Basic API Client

Time to create our API client. We'll keep it simple and effective:

class BetterProposalsClient
  include HTTParty
  base_uri API_BASE_URL
  headers 'Authorization' => "Bearer #{API_KEY}"
  format :json

  def self.get_proposals
    get('/proposals')
  end

  # Add more methods as needed
end

Core API Endpoints

Now we're cooking! Let's implement some key endpoints:

class BetterProposalsClient
  # ... previous code ...

  def self.create_proposal(data)
    post('/proposals', body: data.to_json)
  end

  def self.get_proposal(id)
    get("/proposals/#{id}")
  end

  def self.update_proposal(id, data)
    put("/proposals/#{id}", body: data.to_json)
  end

  def self.delete_proposal(id)
    delete("/proposals/#{id}")
  end
end

Implementing Key Functionalities

Let's put our client to work:

# Create a proposal
new_proposal = BetterProposalsClient.create_proposal({
  title: 'Awesome Project Proposal',
  client_id: 123,
  template_id: 456
})

# Get proposal details
proposal = BetterProposalsClient.get_proposal(new_proposal['id'])

# Update a proposal
BetterProposalsClient.update_proposal(proposal['id'], { title: 'Even Awesome-r Project Proposal' })

# Delete a proposal (careful now!)
BetterProposalsClient.delete_proposal(proposal['id'])

Error Handling and Rate Limiting

Let's add some safety nets:

class BetterProposalsClient
  # ... previous code ...

  def self.handle_response
    response = yield
    raise "API Error: #{response.code} - #{response.message}" unless response.success?
    response
  end

  def self.get_proposals
    handle_response { get('/proposals') }
  end

  # Apply to other methods...
end

For rate limiting, consider using the ratelimit gem or implement a simple sleep:

def self.get_proposals
  sleep(1) # Crude but effective rate limiting
  handle_response { get('/proposals') }
end

Testing the Integration

Don't forget to test! Here's a quick RSpec example:

RSpec.describe BetterProposalsClient do
  it 'fetches proposals' do
    VCR.use_cassette('proposals') do
      proposals = BetterProposalsClient.get_proposals
      expect(proposals).to be_an(Array)
      expect(proposals.first).to have_key('id')
    end
  end
end

Best Practices and Optimization

• Cache frequently accessed data to reduce API calls.
• Use background jobs for time-consuming operations.
• Keep your API key secure (use environment variables in production).

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a sleek Better Proposals API integration in Ruby. Remember, this is just the beginning – there's a whole world of possibilities to explore with this API. Keep experimenting, and happy coding!

For more details, check out the Better Proposals API documentation. Now go forth and create some killer proposals!