Step by Step Guide to Building a Paperform API Integration in C#

Introduction

Hey there, fellow developer! Ready to dive into the world of Paperform API integration? You're in for a treat. We'll be walking through the process of building a robust C# integration that'll have you manipulating forms and submissions like a pro. Let's get cracking!

Prerequisites

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

• Visual Studio or your favorite C# IDE
• .NET Core 3.1 or later
• A Paperform account with API access

Got your Paperform API key handy? No? Head over to your Paperform dashboard and grab it. We'll need that bad boy soon.

Setting up the project

Fire up your IDE and create a new C# project. We're going for a console app to keep things simple, but feel free to adapt this to your needs.

Now, let's get our dependencies sorted. Run this in your Package Manager Console:

Install-Package Newtonsoft.Json
Install-Package RestSharp

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

Authentication

Alright, let's get that API key working for us. Create a new class called PaperformClient:

public class PaperformClient
{
    private readonly RestClient _client;
    private const string BaseUrl = "https://api.paperform.co/v1/";

    public PaperformClient(string apiKey)
    {
        _client = new RestClient(BaseUrl);
        _client.AddDefaultHeader("Authorization", $"Bearer {apiKey}");
    }

    // We'll add more methods here soon!
}

Basic API Operations

Now for the fun part - let's start interacting with the API!

Fetching Forms

public async Task<List<Form>> GetFormsAsync()
{
    var request = new RestRequest("forms");
    var response = await _client.ExecuteAsync<List<Form>>(request);
    return response.Data;
}

Retrieving Submissions

public async Task<List<Submission>> GetSubmissionsAsync(string formId)
{
    var request = new RestRequest($"forms/{formId}/submissions");
    var response = await _client.ExecuteAsync<List<Submission>>(request);
    return response.Data;
}

Creating New Submissions

public async Task<Submission> CreateSubmissionAsync(string formId, Dictionary<string, object> data)
{
    var request = new RestRequest($"forms/{formId}/submissions", Method.POST);
    request.AddJsonBody(data);
    var response = await _client.ExecuteAsync<Submission>(request);
    return response.Data;
}

Advanced Features

Webhook Implementation

Paperform can send you real-time updates. Set up an endpoint in your app to receive these webhooks. Here's a basic example using ASP.NET Core:

[ApiController]
[Route("api/[controller]")]
public class WebhookController : ControllerBase
{
    [HttpPost]
    public IActionResult ReceiveWebhook([FromBody] WebhookPayload payload)
    {
        // Process the webhook payload
        return Ok();
    }
}

Error Handling and Rate Limiting

Always expect the unexpected! Wrap your API calls in try-catch blocks and handle rate limiting gracefully:

try
{
    var forms = await paperformClient.GetFormsAsync();
}
catch (HttpRequestException ex) when (ex.StatusCode == HttpStatusCode.TooManyRequests)
{
    // Handle rate limiting
    await Task.Delay(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30));
    // Retry the request
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Handle other exceptions
}

Best Practices

Asynchronous Programming

You've probably noticed we're using async/await throughout. This is crucial for maintaining responsiveness in your application. Always go async when making API calls!

Caching Strategies

To reduce API calls and improve performance, consider implementing caching:

private static readonly MemoryCache _cache = new MemoryCache(new MemoryCacheOptions());

public async Task<List<Form>> GetFormsAsync()
{
    if (!_cache.TryGetValue("forms", out List<Form> forms))
    {
        forms = await FetchFormsFromApi();
        _cache.Set("forms", forms, TimeSpan.FromMinutes(15));
    }
    return forms;
}

Testing

Don't forget to test your integration! Use a mocking framework like Moq to simulate API responses:

[Fact]
public async Task GetFormsAsync_ReturnsListOfForms()
{
    var mockClient = new Mock<IRestClient>();
    mockClient.Setup(c => c.ExecuteAsync<List<Form>>(It.IsAny<RestRequest>()))
        .ReturnsAsync(new RestResponse<List<Form>> { Data = new List<Form> { new Form() } });

    var paperformClient = new PaperformClient(mockClient.Object);
    var result = await paperformClient.GetFormsAsync();

    Assert.Single(result);
}

Deployment Considerations

When deploying your integration:

1. Never hardcode your API key. Use environment variables or a secure secret management system.
2. Consider implementing retry logic for failed requests.
3. Monitor your API usage to stay within rate limits.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a solid foundation for your Paperform API integration in C#. Remember, this is just the beginning - there's so much more you can do with the API. Don't be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries.

For more details, check out the Paperform API documentation. Now go forth and create something awesome! Happy coding!