Step by Step Guide to Building a Jobber API Integration in PHP

Introduction

Hey there, fellow code wrangler! Ready to dive into the world of Jobber API integration? You're in for a treat. The Jobber API is a powerful tool that'll let you tap into a wealth of field service management data. Whether you're looking to sync client info, manage jobs, or handle invoices, we've got you covered. Let's roll up our sleeves and get this integration humming!

Prerequisites

Before we jump in, make sure you've got these ducks in a row:

• A PHP environment that's locked and loaded
• Your Jobber API credentials (keep 'em safe!)
• Guzzle HTTP client (trust me, it'll make your life easier)

Got all that? Great! Let's move on to the fun stuff.

Authentication

First things first, we need to get that sweet, sweet access token. We'll be using OAuth 2.0, so buckle up:

use GuzzleHttp\Client;

function getAccessToken($client_id, $client_secret, $redirect_uri, $code) {
    $client = new Client(['base_uri' => 'https://api.getjobber.com/api/']);
    
    $response = $client->post('oauth/token', [
        'form_params' => [
            'grant_type' => 'authorization_code',
            'client_id' => $client_id,
            'client_secret' => $client_secret,
            'redirect_uri' => $redirect_uri,
            'code' => $code
        ]
    ]);

    return json_decode($response->getBody(), true);
}

Basic API Setup

Now, let's create a base API class to handle our requests:

class JobberAPI {
    private $client;
    private $access_token;

    public function __construct($access_token) {
        $this->access_token = $access_token;
        $this->client = new Client([
            'base_uri' => 'https://api.getjobber.com/api/',
            'headers' => [
                'Authorization' => 'Bearer ' . $this->access_token,
                'Accept' => 'application/json'
            ]
        ]);
    }

    public function request($method, $endpoint, $params = []) {
        $response = $this->client->request($method, $endpoint, $params);
        return json_decode($response->getBody(), true);
    }
}

Implementing Core Functionalities

Time to put our API to work! Let's fetch some clients:

public function getClients() {
    return $this->request('GET', 'clients');
}

Creating a job? Easy peasy:

public function createJob($jobData) {
    return $this->request('POST', 'jobs', ['json' => $jobData]);
}

Error Handling and Rate Limiting

Let's add some retry logic and respect those rate limits:

public function request($method, $endpoint, $params = []) {
    $maxRetries = 3;
    $retryDelay = 1000; // milliseconds

    for ($i = 0; $i < $maxRetries; $i++) {
        try {
            $response = $this->client->request($method, $endpoint, $params);
            return json_decode($response->getBody(), true);
        } catch (RequestException $e) {
            if ($e->getResponse()->getStatusCode() == 429) {
                // Rate limited, wait and retry
                usleep($retryDelay * 1000);
                $retryDelay *= 2; // Exponential backoff
            } else {
                throw $e;
            }
        }
    }
    throw new Exception("Max retries reached");
}

Data Synchronization

Keep your local data fresh with a sync strategy:

public function syncClients() {
    $lastSync = $this->getLastSyncTimestamp();
    $clients = $this->getClients(['updated_since' => $lastSync]);
    
    foreach ($clients as $client) {
        $this->updateLocalClient($client);
    }
    
    $this->updateLastSyncTimestamp();
}

Testing

Don't forget to test! Here's a quick unit test example:

public function testGetClients() {
    $mockResponse = ['clients' => [['id' => 1, 'name' => 'Test Client']]];
    $this->mockClient->method('request')->willReturn($mockResponse);
    
    $clients = $this->jobberAPI->getClients();
    $this->assertEquals(1, count($clients['clients']));
    $this->assertEquals('Test Client', $clients['clients'][0]['name']);
}

Security Considerations

Keep those API credentials under lock and key! Use environment variables or a secure vault. And always sanitize your inputs!

Performance Optimization

Cache frequently accessed data and use batch operations when possible:

public function batchCreateJobs($jobs) {
    return $this->request('POST', 'jobs/batch', ['json' => ['jobs' => $jobs]]);
}

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! You've just built a rock-solid Jobber API integration. Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The Jobber API has tons more endpoints to explore, so don't be afraid to dive deeper.

Keep coding, keep learning, and most importantly, keep having fun with it! If you hit any snags, the Jobber API docs are your best friend. Now go forth and integrate!