Step by Step Guide to Building a CompanyCam API Integration in Java

Introduction

Hey there, fellow developer! Ready to dive into the world of CompanyCam API integration? You're in for a treat. This guide will walk you through building a robust integration in Java, allowing you to tap into CompanyCam's powerful features for managing projects and photos. Let's get started!

Prerequisites

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

• A Java development environment (I know you've got this covered!)
• A CompanyCam API key (grab one from your account if you haven't already)
• An HTTP client library (we'll use OkHttp in this guide, but feel free to use your favorite)

Setting up the project

First things first, let's set up our project:

1. Create a new Java project in your preferred IDE.
2. Add the following dependencies to your pom.xml (if you're using Maven):

<dependencies>
    <dependency>
        <groupId>com.squareup.okhttp3</groupId>
        <artifactId>okhttp</artifactId>
        <version>4.10.0</version>
    </dependency>
    <dependency>
        <groupId>com.google.code.gson</groupId>
        <artifactId>gson</artifactId>
        <version>2.8.9</version>
    </dependency>
</dependencies>

Authentication

Now, let's create a base client class to handle authentication:

import okhttp3.OkHttpClient;
import okhttp3.Request;

public class CompanyCamClient {
    private final OkHttpClient client;
    private final String apiKey;
    private static final String BASE_URL = "https://api.companycam.com/v2";

    public CompanyCamClient(String apiKey) {
        this.apiKey = apiKey;
        this.client = new OkHttpClient();
    }

    protected Request.Builder getRequestBuilder() {
        return new Request.Builder()
                .header("Authorization", "Bearer " + apiKey)
                .header("Content-Type", "application/json");
    }

    // We'll add more methods here later
}

Making API requests

Let's add some methods to our CompanyCamClient class to make API requests:

import okhttp3.Response;
import okhttp3.RequestBody;

public class CompanyCamClient {
    // ... previous code ...

    public String get(String endpoint) throws IOException {
        Request request = getRequestBuilder()
                .url(BASE_URL + endpoint)
                .build();
        try (Response response = client.newCall(request).execute()) {
            return response.body().string();
        }
    }

    public String post(String endpoint, String json) throws IOException {
        RequestBody body = RequestBody.create(json, MediaType.get("application/json"));
        Request request = getRequestBuilder()
                .url(BASE_URL + endpoint)
                .post(body)
                .build();
        try (Response response = client.newCall(request).execute()) {
            return response.body().string();
        }
    }

    // Add similar methods for PUT and DELETE
}

Handling responses

Now, let's parse those JSON responses:

import com.google.gson.Gson;
import com.google.gson.reflect.TypeToken;

public class CompanyCamClient {
    // ... previous code ...
    private final Gson gson = new Gson();

    public <T> T parseResponse(String json, Class<T> classOfT) {
        return gson.fromJson(json, classOfT);
    }

    public <T> List<T> parseResponseList(String json, Class<T> classOfT) {
        Type listType = TypeToken.getParameterized(List.class, classOfT).getType();
        return gson.fromJson(json, listType);
    }
}

Implementing key features

Let's implement some key features:

public class CompanyCamClient {
    // ... previous code ...

    public List<Project> listProjects() throws IOException {
        String json = get("/projects");
        return parseResponseList(json, Project.class);
    }

    public Photo uploadPhoto(long projectId, File photoFile) throws IOException {
        // Implement file upload logic here
    }

    public Comment addComment(long photoId, String text) throws IOException {
        String json = post("/photos/" + photoId + "/comments", "{\"text\":\"" + text + "\"}");
        return parseResponse(json, Comment.class);
    }

    // Add more methods as needed
}

Best practices

Remember to:

• Respect rate limits (CompanyCam allows 600 requests per minute)
• Use appropriate endpoints for bulk operations when available
• Cache responses when possible to reduce API calls

Testing the integration

Don't forget to write tests! Here's a quick example:

import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.*;

class CompanyCamClientTest {
    private final CompanyCamClient client = new CompanyCamClient("your-api-key");

    @Test
    void testListProjects() throws IOException {
        List<Project> projects = client.listProjects();
        assertNotNull(projects);
        assertFalse(projects.isEmpty());
    }

    // Add more tests
}

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a solid foundation for your CompanyCam API integration in Java. From here, you can expand on this base, add more features, and tailor it to your specific needs.

Remember, the CompanyCam API is powerful and flexible, so don't be afraid to explore and experiment. Happy coding, and may your projects be ever organized and your photos crystal clear!