Because you can

[aeric]

Because JSON format API is the standard format, doesn't mean it is the only format to use.

I never seen any article online talking about XML to power the API (for web app) .

Of course many will debate that JSON is more lightweight and supported by parser from many major programming languages.

XML is more uglier, verbose, takes up more file size and difficult to parse.

This doesn't mean we should ignore this format.

Maybe some systems are still using SOAP.

So B4X should also (already true) have XML supported when building backend API.

But to make it easier to use, a library or framework can help you get the job done.

So Pakai framework is worth to consider. Because you can... use XML as API.

 

[aeric]

Not forgetting about RSS feeds and site map.
Honestly I don't use both.

 

[Magma]

Hi aeric
Pakai framework - is your project web server API ? renamed / renewed

Well what do you mean u can use XML as API... you mean having REST API waiting for xml posts ? or something different ?

 

[aeric]

Hi aeric
Pakai framework - is your project web server API ? renamed / renewed

Well what do you mean u can use XML as API... you mean having REST API waiting for xml posts ? or something different ?

Yes, Pakai is the new name!

I mean instead of JSON, which parsed by Javascript JSON.Stringify() method in browser, the JavaScript reads XML response returned from the server.

 

[Magma]

Yes, Pakai is the new name!

I mean instead of JSON, which parsed by Javascript JSON.Stringify() method in browser, the JavaScript reads XML response returned from the server.

Is there anyway to convert json to XML...
or general mapping json to json that seems in some points...

with a method style like mapping ?
it can be feature....

For example you will see it also in your country... with the the Providers of Invoicing (if your country will give that at 3rd providers)... if they have different APIs will be useful to have matching, also an AI matching for first time...

for example <amount> </amount> (xml) -----> to amount: (json)
or for AI:
<amount></amount> -----> to amountvalue:

...can be a tricky... but this will be a life saver....

 

[aeric]

In other words, it means you can test the API directly from the frontend by just adding 1 line of code and it is good to go!

 

[aeric]

Is there anyway to convert json to XML...
or general mapping json to json that seems in some points...

with a method style like mapping ?
it can be feature....

For example you will see it also in your country... with the the Providers of Invoicing (if your country will give that at 3rd providers)... if they have different APIs will be useful to have matching, also an AI matching for first time...

for example <amount> </amount> (xml) -----> to amount: (json)
or for AI:
<amount></amount> -----> to amountvalue:

...can be a tricky... but this will be a life saver....

Yes, it is easy! B4J already have Map2xml.
But the problem is at js side. The JS to read json and xml are different!
In my template, if you change the default content type from json to xml, the frontend will break.

 

[Magma]

Yes, it is easy! B4J already have Map2xml.
But the problem is at js side. The JS to read json and xml are different!

not a problem... if having different url /convertxml /convertjson (that will be only for developers)

 

[Magma]

What about automatic matching.?.. ofcourse xml elements-nodes having inside of them extra elements nodes (lists) or lines... will be difficult... but if some magic of AI could do that... i am sure AERIC-I will be better
<lines>
<0>
<field> </field>
<price> </price>
</0>

<1>
<field> </field>
<price> </price>
</1>


<2>
<field> </field>
<price> </price>
</2>
</lines>

 

[aeric]

not a problem... if having different url /convertxml /convertjson (that will be only for developers)

Because I don't want developer to do more work or coding when using my templates.

 

[aeric]

What about automatic matching.?.. ofcourse xml elements-nodes having inside of them extra elements nodes (lists) or lines... will be difficult... but if some magic of AI could do that... i am sure AERIC-I will be better
<lines>
<0>
<field> </field>
<price> </price>
</0>

<1>
<field> </field>
<price> </price>
</1>


<2>
<field> </field>
<price> </price>
</2>
</lines>

Automatic?
I already have RequestDataXML method even in WebApiUtils v3.05 !

[Web] WebApiUtils v3

Updates WebApiUtils v4+ is available, supports XML format! Version : 3.05 A utility class to simplify the development for server app using project template Web API Server v3.00+. For previous version, see WebApiUtils v2. Library: WebApiUtils.b4xlib Depends on: JavaObject jServer Json...

www.b4x.com

 

[Magma]

Automatic?
I already have ReadDataXML method!

What exactly do that?

May be i wasn't clear... is someway difficult that i am asking...
1. I am having a REST-API that needs json and have specific fields... i have an example of post (of it)
2. I am having an other REST-API that need xml and have different fields... some may be are the same or the name feels like json post..

Can automatically - magic match them ?

 

[Magma]

What exactly do that?

May be i wasn't clear... is someway difficult that i am asking...
1. I am having a REST-API that needs json and have specific fields... i have an example of post (of it)
2. I am having an other REST-API that need xml and have different fields... some may be are the same or the name feels like json post..

Can automatically - magic match them ?

actually magic match the values i gave... to each other... give json or xml return me a new post of a different json - xml

 

[aeric]

What exactly do that?

May be i wasn't clear... is someway difficult that i am asking...
1. I am having a REST-API that needs json and have specific fields... i have an example of post (of it)
2. I am having an other REST-API that need xml and have different fields... some may be are the same or the name feels like json post..

Can automatically - magic match them ?

You can write your own mapping by looping through the keys.
Because once you have the input from client, you converted it to Maps and Lists, everything is straight forward.

The RequestDataXml sub is added to the library allows the server to transform the XML body from a client request into data that easy to work with.

Regardless of what input or output format are!
JSON -> JSON
JSON -> XML
XML -> XML
XML -> JSON

Or even query parameters as input in array or string forms, output to non json or xml response.

All that is up to you!

 

[Magma]

You can write your own mapping by looping through the keys.
Because once you have the input from client, you converted it to Maps and Lists, everything is straight forward.

The RequestDataXml sub is added to the library allows the server to transform the XML body from a client request into data that easy to work with.

Regardless of what input or output format are!
JSON -> JSON
JSON -> XML
XML -> XML
XML -> JSON

Or even query parameters as input in array or string forms, output to non json or xml response.

All that is up to you!

You can write your own mapping by looping through the keys <-that exactly if can be "automatically" and then give the option to save it as template to make some changes will be "magic" and life saver !

 

[Magma]

Here ofcourse we can use AI... but have it in as a feature will be great!

 

[aeric]

You can write your own mapping by looping through the keys <-that exactly if can be "automatically" and then give the option to save it as template to make some changes will be "magic" and life saver !

I believe it can be done automatically without using a loop.
You may start a new question if you want.

 

[Magma]

I believe it can be done automatically without using a loop.

Not in all cases... but yes.. sometimes... but the difficult are the different fields, types, or may differences that need the target API of any Provider... so that, if feeding an AI system with some xml, json examples will automatic create a mapping for you... that "feed"... will be nice have it in one place like yours

 

[aeric]

Not in all cases... but yes.. sometimes... but the difficult are the different fields, types, or may differences that need the target API of any Provider... so that, if feeding an AI system with some xml, json examples will automatic create a mapping for you... that "feed"... will be nice have it in one place like yours

If I understand you correctly, I have already incorporated a similar idea in WebApiUtils v4.
Let say you have a property for ResponseKeys.
You can specify a list of keys to generate the required output based on the order in an array or list and you map back the keys. You can also have custom key name that override the original key.

 

[Magma]

ok.. here are 3 different providers... the last one (is xml - our MYDATA Provider / old invoicing for our country)
the first two are ...they are different company providers..

How easy is automatically match the fields/elements with the right values ?
have in mind this is 1 from 30 (invoices-receipts forms that need) and the providers are about 30...