Step by Step Guide to Building a bexio API Integration in Python

Introduction

Hey there, fellow developer! Ready to dive into the world of bexio API integration? You're in for a treat. The bexio API is a powerful tool that'll let you tap into a wealth of business management features. In this guide, we'll walk through creating a sleek Python integration that'll have you manipulating data like a pro in no time.

Prerequisites

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

• A Python environment (3.6+ recommended)
• The requests library (pip install requests)
• Your bexio API credentials (if you don't have these, hop over to the bexio developer portal)

Authentication

First things first, let's get you authenticated:

import requests

def get_access_token(client_id, client_secret):
    url = "https://oauth.bexio.com/token"
    data = {
        "grant_type": "client_credentials",
        "client_id": client_id,
        "client_secret": client_secret
    }
    response = requests.post(url, data=data)
    return response.json()["access_token"]

access_token = get_access_token("your_client_id", "your_client_secret")

Pro tip: In a production environment, you'll want to handle token refresh. But let's keep it simple for now.

Basic API Request Structure

Now that we're authenticated, let's set up our basic request structure:

base_url = "https://api.bexio.com/2.0"
headers = {
    "Accept": "application/json",
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {access_token}"
}

def make_request(endpoint, method="GET", data=None):
    url = f"{base_url}/{endpoint}"
    response = requests.request(method, url, headers=headers, json=data)
    response.raise_for_status()
    return response.json()

Implementing Core Functionalities

Let's put our make_request function to work:

# GET request
contacts = make_request("contact")

# POST request
new_contact = {
    "name_1": "John Doe",
    "email": "[email protected]"
}
created_contact = make_request("contact", method="POST", data=new_contact)

# PUT request
updated_data = {"name_1": "Jane Doe"}
updated_contact = make_request(f"contact/{created_contact['id']}", method="PUT", data=updated_data)

# DELETE request
make_request(f"contact/{created_contact['id']}", method="DELETE")

Error Handling and Rate Limiting

Let's add some error handling and respect those rate limits:

import time

def make_request_with_retry(endpoint, method="GET", data=None, max_retries=3):
    for attempt in range(max_retries):
        try:
            response = make_request(endpoint, method, data)
            return response
        except requests.exceptions.HTTPError as e:
            if e.response.status_code == 429:  # Too Many Requests
                retry_after = int(e.response.headers.get("Retry-After", 5))
                print(f"Rate limit hit. Retrying in {retry_after} seconds...")
                time.sleep(retry_after)
            else:
                raise
    raise Exception("Max retries reached")

Data Processing

Now, let's process some data:

def process_contacts(contacts):
    return [{"name": contact["name_1"], "email": contact["email"]} for contact in contacts]

processed_contacts = process_contacts(make_request_with_retry("contact"))

Building a Simple Use Case

Let's put it all together with a simple use case:

def update_contact_email(contact_id, new_email):
    contact = make_request_with_retry(f"contact/{contact_id}")
    if contact["email"] != new_email:
        updated_data = {"email": new_email}
        updated_contact = make_request_with_retry(f"contact/{contact_id}", method="PUT", data=updated_data)
        print(f"Updated email for {updated_contact['name_1']} to {new_email}")
    else:
        print("Email is already up to date")

update_contact_email(123, "[email protected]")

Best Practices

• Keep your credentials secure (use environment variables)
• Organize your code into classes for better structure
• Use type hints for better code readability

Testing and Debugging

Don't forget to test your integration:

import unittest

class TestBexioIntegration(unittest.TestCase):
    def test_get_contacts(self):
        contacts = make_request_with_retry("contact")
        self.assertIsInstance(contacts, list)
        self.assertTrue(len(contacts) > 0)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    unittest.main()

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a robust bexio API integration in Python. Remember, this is just scratching the surface. The bexio API has tons more endpoints to explore, so don't be afraid to dive deeper.

Keep coding, keep exploring, and most importantly, have fun with it! If you hit any snags, the bexio API documentation is your best friend. Now go forth and integrate!