Reading and Writing Data Using the Bigin API

Hey there, fellow JavaScript wizards! Ready to dive into the world of Bigin API and master the art of data syncing? Let's roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty with some code!

The Bigin API: Your New Best Friend

Bigin's API is a powerhouse for handling CRM data, and when it comes to user-facing integrations, it's an absolute game-changer. We're talking seamless data flow, real-time updates, and happy users. What's not to love?

Authentication: The Key to the Kingdom

First things first, let's get you authenticated. Bigin uses OAuth 2.0, so you'll need to dance the OAuth tango:

const getAccessToken = async (code) => {
  // Your OAuth magic here
  return accessToken;
};

const refreshToken = async (refreshToken) => {
  // Refresh that token!
  return newAccessToken;
};

Pro tip: Always keep your tokens fresh. Stale tokens lead to sad developers.

Reading Data: Mining for Gold

Now that you're in, let's fetch some data:

const getRecords = async (module, params) => {
  const response = await fetch(`https://api.bigin.com/v1/${module}?${new URLSearchParams(params)}`);
  return response.json();
};

Pagination? No sweat:

const getAllRecords = async (module) => {
  let allRecords = [];
  let page = 1;
  let hasMore = true;

  while (hasMore) {
    const { data, info } = await getRecords(module, { page });
    allRecords = [...allRecords, ...data];
    hasMore = info.more_records;
    page++;
  }

  return allRecords;
};

Writing Data: Leaving Your Mark

Creating records is a breeze:

const createRecord = async (module, data) => {
  const response = await fetch(`https://api.bigin.com/v1/${module}`, {
    method: 'POST',
    body: JSON.stringify(data),
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  });
  return response.json();
};

Updating? Just as easy:

const updateRecord = async (module, id, data) => {
  const response = await fetch(`https://api.bigin.com/v1/${module}/${id}`, {
    method: 'PUT',
    body: JSON.stringify(data),
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  });
  return response.json();
};

Syncing Strategies: Full vs. Incremental

Full sync is like spring cleaning – sometimes necessary, but often overkill. Incremental sync is your daily tidy-up:

const incrementalSync = async (module, lastSyncTime) => {
  const params = { last_modified_time: lastSyncTime };
  const records = await getRecords(module, params);
  // Process and update your local data
  return new Date().toISOString(); // New sync time
};

Error Handling and Rate Limiting: Stay Cool Under Pressure

Always expect the unexpected:

const apiCall = async (fn, ...args) => {
  try {
    return await fn(...args);
  } catch (error) {
    if (error.status === 429) {
      // Rate limited, back off and retry
      await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 1000));
      return apiCall(fn, ...args);
    }
    throw error;
  }
};

Optimizing Performance: Speed Demon

Batch operations are your friend:

const batchCreate = async (module, records) => {
  const chunks = chunkArray(records, 100); // Split into chunks of 100
  for (const chunk of chunks) {
    await createRecord(module, { data: chunk });
  }
};

Real-time Updates: Stay in the Loop

Webhooks are the secret sauce for real-time goodness. Set them up and let Bigin do the heavy lifting:

app.post('/webhook', (req, res) => {
  const { module, operation, ids } = req.body;
  // Handle the update based on the operation and ids
  res.sendStatus(200);
});

Putting It All Together: The Sync Function

Here's a basic sync function to tie it all together:

const syncModule = async (module, lastSyncTime) => {
  const updatedRecords = await incrementalSync(module, lastSyncTime);
  const localRecords = getLocalRecords(module);
  
  const recordsToUpdate = mergeRecords(updatedRecords, localRecords);
  await batchCreate(module, recordsToUpdate);

  return new Date().toISOString();
};

Wrapping Up

And there you have it, folks! You're now armed with the knowledge to build a robust, efficient, and user-friendly integration with the Bigin API. Remember, the key to great syncing is balancing speed, accuracy, and user experience.

Keep experimenting, stay curious, and most importantly, have fun with it! The world of API integration is your oyster, and you're the pearl. Now go forth and sync like a pro! 🚀

Happy coding!