Quick Guide to Realtime Data in PDF.co without Webhooks

Aug 13, 2024 • 6 minute read

Hey there, fellow Javascript devs! Ready to dive into the world of real-time data with PDF.co, minus the webhook hassle? Let's get polling!

Introduction

PDF.co's API is a powerhouse for document processing, but sometimes webhooks just aren't in the cards. Maybe you're behind a firewall, or perhaps you just prefer more control. Whatever the reason, polling is your ticket to real-time(ish) data.

Setting up the PDF.co API

First things first, grab your API key from the PDF.co dashboard. It's your golden ticket to the API wonderland. Once you've got it, you're ready to roll.

const pdfcoApiKey = 'your-api-key-here';
const apiUrl = 'https://api.pdf.co/v1';

Implementing Polling

Polling is like that friend who keeps asking "Are we there yet?" on a road trip. Annoying? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

Here's the basic structure:

function pollJobStatus(jobId) {
  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
    const checkStatus = () => {
      fetch(`${apiUrl}/job/check?jobid=${jobId}`, {
        headers: { 'x-api-key': pdfcoApiKey }
      })
      .then(response => response.json())
      .then(data => {
        if (data.status === 'working') {
          setTimeout(checkStatus, 1000); // Check again in 1 second
        } else {
          resolve(data);
        }
      })
      .catch(reject);
    };
    checkStatus();
  });
}

Polling Best Practices

Don't be a pest: Keep your intervals reasonable. Start with 1-2 seconds and adjust based on your needs.
Handle errors gracefully: Implement exponential backoff for retries.
Mind the rate limits: PDF.co is generous, but don't push it.

Code Example: Polling for PDF Conversion Status

Let's put it all together with a PDF conversion example:

async function convertPdfToText(fileUrl) {
  // Start the conversion job
  const startJobResponse = await fetch(`${apiUrl}/pdf/convert/to/text`, {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'x-api-key': pdfcoApiKey,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      url: fileUrl,
      async: true
    })
  });
  
  const jobData = await startJobResponse.json();
  
  // Poll for job completion
  const result = await pollJobStatus(jobData.jobId);
  
  if (result.status === 'success') {
    console.log('Conversion complete:', result.url);
    return result.url;
  } else {
    throw new Error('Conversion failed');
  }
}

Optimizing User Experience

Keep your users in the loop:

let progress = 0;
const progressBar = document.getElementById('progressBar');

function updateProgress() {
  progress += 10;
  progressBar.style.width = `${Math.min(progress, 90)}%`;
}

// Update progress every 2 seconds
const progressInterval = setInterval(updateProgress, 2000);

// Don't forget to clear the interval when done!
clearInterval(progressInterval);

Advanced Techniques

Want to level up? Try adaptive polling intervals:

let pollInterval = 1000;

function adaptivePolling() {
  pollInterval = Math.min(pollInterval * 1.5, 10000); // Cap at 10 seconds
  setTimeout(checkStatus, pollInterval);
}

Performance Considerations

If you're handling lots of conversions, consider moving the polling to your server. It'll keep your client-side snappy and your users happy.

Conclusion

There you have it! Polling might not be as fancy as webhooks, but it gets the job done with style. It gives you control, flexibility, and real-time data without the webhook headaches.

Additional Resources

Now go forth and poll like a pro! Remember, in the world of APIs, persistence pays off. Happy coding!