Step by Step Guide to Building a KW Command API Integration in C#

Introduction

Hey there, fellow developer! Ready to dive into the world of KW Command API integration? You're in for a treat. This guide will walk you through building a robust C# integration with the KW Command API. We'll cover everything from setup to best practices, so buckle up and let's get coding!

Prerequisites

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

• Visual Studio or your favorite C# IDE
• .NET Core SDK (latest version)
• KW Command API credentials (you've got these, right?)

Setting up the project

Let's kick things off by creating a new C# project. Fire up your IDE and create a new .NET Core Console Application. Once that's done, we'll need to add a few NuGet packages:

dotnet add package Newtonsoft.Json
dotnet add package RestSharp

These will make our lives easier when dealing with JSON and HTTP requests.

Authentication

KW Command uses OAuth 2.0, so let's implement that flow:

public async Task<string> GetAccessToken()
{
    // Implement OAuth 2.0 flow here
    // Don't forget to store and refresh your tokens!
}

Pro tip: Store your refresh token securely and implement a mechanism to automatically refresh your access token when it expires.

Making API requests

Time to create a base API client class:

public class KWCommandClient
{
    private readonly RestClient _client;

    public KWCommandClient(string baseUrl, string accessToken)
    {
        _client = new RestClient(baseUrl);
        _client.AddDefaultHeader("Authorization", $"Bearer {accessToken}");
    }

    public async Task<T> ExecuteAsync<T>(RestRequest request)
    {
        var response = await _client.ExecuteAsync<T>(request);
        // Handle errors, rate limiting, etc.
        return response.Data;
    }
}

Implementing key API endpoints

Now, let's implement some key endpoints:

public async Task<List<Contact>> GetContacts()
{
    var request = new RestRequest("contacts", Method.GET);
    return await ExecuteAsync<List<Contact>>(request);
}

// Implement similar methods for listings and transactions

Error handling and logging

Don't forget to wrap your API calls in try-catch blocks and log any errors:

try
{
    var contacts = await GetContacts();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    _logger.LogError($"Error fetching contacts: {ex.Message}");
}

Data parsing and mapping

Use Newtonsoft.Json to deserialize your responses:

public class Contact
{
    [JsonProperty("id")]
    public string Id { get; set; }

    [JsonProperty("first_name")]
    public string FirstName { get; set; }

    // Add other properties as needed
}

Implementing rate limiting

Respect those API limits! Implement a simple rate limiter:

private static SemaphoreSlim _rateLimiter = new SemaphoreSlim(5, 5);

public async Task<T> ExecuteWithRateLimitAsync<T>(Func<Task<T>> action)
{
    await _rateLimiter.WaitAsync();
    try
    {
        return await action();
    }
    finally
    {
        Task.Delay(1000).ContinueWith(_ => _rateLimiter.Release());
    }
}

Testing the integration

Don't skip testing! Here's a simple unit test to get you started:

[Fact]
public async Task GetContacts_ReturnsContacts()
{
    var client = new KWCommandClient("https://api.example.com", "fake_token");
    var contacts = await client.GetContacts();
    Assert.NotEmpty(contacts);
}

Best practices and optimization

• Cache frequently accessed data to reduce API calls
• Use asynchronous programming throughout your integration
• Implement proper error handling and logging

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a solid foundation for your KW Command API integration. Remember, this is just the beginning. Keep exploring the API documentation, add more endpoints, and optimize your code as you go.

Happy coding, and may your integration be ever efficient!