Better Analytics With APIs Part 2: The Help Scout API
#sdx-wtf-internet-apis
Welcome! My name is
Lyzi, I work on APIs, and I like teaching.
Goal of this workshop: You feel sparkley.
Credit where credit is due.This information comes from a series of amazing blog posts, presentations, and books. Full links on the last slide.
This workshop:
- What is an API?
- How do I use an API?
- How do I use the Help Scout API?
PSA: I don't work for Help Scout.
Part I: What is an API?
"An API is a set of rules for how two components of a system can communicate." - paraphrased from
@scothisAPI stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a set of rules and expectations for requests and responses to a particular domain.
APIs define resources and how to use or retrieve them.
CRUD: create, read, update, delete.
As an API consumer, your job is to build something that takes the resource and modifies it in a useful way.
Part II: How to use an API
Steps 1 through infinity: READ THE DOCUMENTATION!!!!!
Tools for making requests:
- Your browser
cURL
- Postman
- an SDK
Concept: yak shaving.
Things we don't have time to talk about today:
- the console
- node and javascript
- authentication
- web applications
Things we are going to talk about: making requests. open postman
Postman exerciseList conversationsList conversations assigned to Demo McDemoCreate a new customer
This is a super cursory overview, but you are a champion!