Reading and Writing Data Using the SignRequest API

Hey there, fellow JavaScript devs! Ready to dive into the world of document signing and data syncing? Let's explore how to leverage the SignRequest API for seamless user-facing integrations. Buckle up, because we're about to make document signing a breeze!

Authentication: Your Key to the Kingdom

First things first, you'll need to get your hands on some API credentials. Head over to the SignRequest dashboard and grab your API key. Once you've got that, let's set up authentication in JavaScript:

const axios = require('axios');

const api = axios.create({
  baseURL: 'https://signrequest.com/api/v1/',
  headers: { 'Authorization': 'Token YOUR_API_KEY_HERE' }
});

Reading Data: Fetch Those Docs!

Now that we're authenticated, let's grab some data. Here's a quick async function to fetch recent documents:

async function getRecentDocuments() {
  try {
    const response = await api.get('documents/?ordering=-created');
    return response.data.results;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error fetching documents:', error);
  }
}

Writing Data: Create and Send Signature Requests

Time to create some signature requests! Check out this nifty function:

async function createSignatureRequest(fileUrl, signerEmail) {
  try {
    const response = await api.post('signrequests/', {
      document: fileUrl,
      signers: [{ email: signerEmail }],
      from_email: '[email protected]',
      message: 'Please sign this document',
      needs_to_sign: true
    });
    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error creating signature request:', error);
  }
}

Real-time Syncing: Webhook Magic

Let's set up a webhook to keep our data in sync. Here's a simple Express.js endpoint:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();

app.post('/webhook', express.json(), (req, res) => {
  const event = req.body;
  console.log('Received webhook event:', event.event_type);
  // Handle the event based on event_type
  res.sendStatus(200);
});

Error Handling and Rate Limiting: Stay Cool Under Pressure

Always wrap your API calls in try-catch blocks and implement rate limiting to avoid hitting API limits. Here's a simple delay function:

const delay = (ms) => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));

async function makeApiCall() {
  try {
    await delay(1000); // Wait 1 second between calls
    const response = await api.get('some-endpoint/');
    // Handle response
  } catch (error) {
    if (error.response && error.response.status === 429) {
      console.log('Rate limited, retrying after delay...');
      await delay(5000);
      return makeApiCall();
    }
    console.error('API error:', error);
  }
}

Optimizing Data Sync: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Implement smart polling to reduce unnecessary API calls. Here's a function that adjusts polling frequency based on activity:

async function smartPoll(callback, initialInterval = 5000) {
  let interval = initialInterval;
  let lastActivityTimestamp = Date.now();

  while (true) {
    const hasNewData = await callback();
    
    if (hasNewData) {
      lastActivityTimestamp = Date.now();
      interval = initialInterval;
    } else {
      const timeSinceLastActivity = Date.now() - lastActivityTimestamp;
      interval = Math.min(interval * 2, 60000); // Max 1 minute
    }

    await delay(interval);
  }
}

// Usage
smartPoll(async () => {
  const docs = await getRecentDocuments();
  // Process new documents
  return docs.length > 0;
});

Security Considerations: Lock It Down

Never expose your API key in client-side code. Use environment variables and secure your webhook endpoints. Here's a quick webhook payload validation:

const crypto = require('crypto');

function validateWebhook(payload, signature, secret) {
  const hmac = crypto.createHmac('sha256', secret);
  const digest = hmac.update(JSON.stringify(payload)).digest('hex');
  return digest === signature;
}

Testing and Debugging: Sandbox Play

Use the SignRequest API sandbox for testing. It's your playground to experiment without fear. And remember, console.log is your best friend when debugging!

Wrapping Up

There you have it, folks! You're now equipped to read and write data like a pro using the SignRequest API. Remember to keep your code clean, your API calls efficient, and your error handling on point. Happy coding, and may your documents always be signed on time!