Step by Step Guide to Building an EZ Texting API Integration in C#

Hey there, fellow developer! Ready to dive into the world of SMS integration? Let's walk through building an EZ Texting API integration in C#. We'll keep things snappy and to the point, so you can get up and running in no time.

Introduction

EZ Texting's API is a powerhouse for SMS communication. We're going to harness that power and integrate it into your C# application. Buckle up!

Prerequisites

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

• Visual Studio or your favorite C# IDE
• .NET Core 3.1 or later
• EZ Texting API credentials (if you don't have these, hop over to their site and sign up)

Setting Up the Project

Fire up Visual Studio and create a new C# project. We'll be using a console app for this guide, but feel free to adapt it to your needs.

Next, let's grab the necessary NuGet packages:

Install-Package Newtonsoft.Json
Install-Package RestSharp

Authentication

EZ Texting uses API key authentication. Let's set that up:

private const string ApiKey = "your_api_key_here";
private const string BaseUrl = "https://api.eztexting.com/v1/";

Making API Requests

Time to create our base API client:

using RestSharp;
using Newtonsoft.Json;

public class EzTextingClient
{
    private readonly RestClient _client;

    public EzTextingClient()
    {
        _client = new RestClient(BaseUrl);
        _client.AddDefaultHeader("Authorization", $"Bearer {ApiKey}");
    }

    public T Execute<T>(RestRequest request)
    {
        var response = _client.Execute(request);
        if (response.IsSuccessful)
        {
            return JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<T>(response.Content);
        }
        throw new Exception($"API request failed: {response.ErrorMessage}");
    }
}

Implementing Core Functionalities

Let's implement sending an SMS:

public class SmsService
{
    private readonly EzTextingClient _client;

    public SmsService(EzTextingClient client)
    {
        _client = client;
    }

    public void SendSms(string phoneNumber, string message)
    {
        var request = new RestRequest("sms", Method.POST);
        request.AddJsonBody(new
        {
            PhoneNumbers = new[] { phoneNumber },
            Message = message
        });

        _client.Execute<object>(request);
    }
}

Error Handling and Logging

Wrap your API calls in try-catch blocks and log responses:

try
{
    smsService.SendSms("1234567890", "Hello, World!");
    Console.WriteLine("SMS sent successfully!");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Error sending SMS: {ex.Message}");
    // Log the error
}

Testing the Integration

Create unit tests for your methods and run integration tests against the API. Here's a quick example using xUnit:

[Fact]
public void SendSms_ValidInput_SendsSuccessfully()
{
    var client = new EzTextingClient();
    var smsService = new SmsService(client);

    Assert.DoesNotThrow(() => smsService.SendSms("1234567890", "Test message"));
}

Best Practices and Optimization

Remember to respect rate limits and implement caching where appropriate. For example, cache contact lists to reduce API calls.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a solid foundation for your EZ Texting API integration. From here, you can expand on this base, adding more features like managing contacts or scheduling messages.

Remember, the EZ Texting API documentation is your best friend for diving deeper. Now go forth and text with ease!

Happy coding, and may your messages always deliver!