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Reading and Writing Data Using the Feedly API

Aug 14, 20247 minute read

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiasts! Ready to dive into the world of Feedly API integration? Let's get your app syncing data like a pro.

The Feedly API: Your New Best Friend

Feedly's API is a powerhouse for content aggregation. We're going to harness that power to create a seamless user experience. Buckle up!

Authentication: Getting the Keys to the Kingdom

First things first, let's get you authenticated. You'll need to grab your API credentials from the Feedly Developer portal. Once you've got those, implementing OAuth 2.0 is a breeze:

const getAccessToken = async (code) => { const response = await fetch('https://cloud.feedly.com/v3/auth/token', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify({ code, client_id: YOUR_CLIENT_ID, client_secret: YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET, grant_type: 'authorization_code', redirect_uri: YOUR_REDIRECT_URI }) }); return response.json(); };

Pro tip: Store that token securely. You'll need it for all your API calls.

Reading Data: Feast Your Eyes

Now that we're in, let's grab some data. Here's how you can fetch a user's feeds:

const getFeeds = async (accessToken) => { const response = await fetch('https://cloud.feedly.com/v3/subscriptions', { headers: { 'Authorization': `OAuth ${accessToken}` } }); return response.json(); };

Easy peasy, right? You can use similar GET requests to retrieve unread articles, categories, and more.

Writing Data: Leave Your Mark

Writing data is just as straightforward. Want to mark an article as read? Here you go:

const markAsRead = async (accessToken, entryId) => { await fetch('https://cloud.feedly.com/v3/markers', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Authorization': `OAuth ${accessToken}`, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify({ action: 'markAsRead', type: 'entries', entryIds: [entryId] }) }); };

Syncing Data: Keep It Fresh

Syncing efficiently is crucial. Here's a basic sync function to get you started:

const syncUnreadArticles = async (accessToken, lastSync) => { let articles = []; let continuation; do { const response = await fetch(`https://cloud.feedly.com/v3/streams/contents?streamId=user/${userId}/category/global.all&unreadOnly=true&newerThan=${lastSync}${continuation ? `&continuation=${continuation}` : ''}`, { headers: { 'Authorization': `OAuth ${accessToken}` } }); const data = await response.json(); articles = articles.concat(data.items); continuation = data.continuation; } while (continuation); return articles; };

Remember to handle pagination and respect those rate limits!

Error Handling: Expect the Unexpected

Always be prepared for things to go sideways. Here's a wrapper to make your API calls more robust:

const apiCall = async (url, options) => { try { const response = await fetch(url, options); if (!response.ok) { throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`); } return await response.json(); } catch (error) { console.error('API call failed:', error); // Implement retry logic or user notification here } };

Optimizing Performance: Speed Demon

Caching is your friend. Implement a simple cache to reduce API calls:

const cache = new Map(); const getCachedData = async (key, fetchFunction) => { if (cache.has(key)) { return cache.get(key); } const data = await fetchFunction(); cache.set(key, data); return data; };

Webhooks: Real-time Magic

If you're feeling fancy, set up webhooks for real-time updates. Here's a basic Express handler:

app.post('/webhook', (req, res) => { const { type, data } = req.body; switch (type) { case 'entries.update': // Handle new or updated entries break; // Handle other webhook types } res.sendStatus(200); });

Testing and Debugging: Trust, but Verify

Use tools like Postman to test your API interactions. And don't forget to leverage Feedly's sandbox environment for safe experimentation.

Wrapping Up

You're now armed with the knowledge to create a killer Feedly integration. Remember, the key to a great user experience is smooth syncing and robust error handling. Keep your code clean, your syncs efficient, and your users happy.

Now go forth and code! And if you hit any snags, the Feedly API docs are your trusty sidekick. Happy coding!