Codeless: storing a REST response

[shaun_brown]

Backendless Version Online

Application ID: F5376898-F067-441E-9263-EFE187DBB4FF

I am trying to write an API using the business logic. The functionality is to sent a POST request containing a JSON and the 3rd party responds with a generated PDF file.

If I connect the Network API http method to my custom API block I can successfully authenticate and there is a return payload (see second screenshot). I want this returned file to be stored in the file server so that I can send it back to the client side for display/print etc. I assume I need a “create file” block but I can’t figure out how to set it up correctly.

thanks in advance for any help.

[sergey.kuk (Sergii Kukurudziak)]

Hello @shaun_brown ,

you should save file to Backendless File service and then return URL to the client, for example:

[shaun_brown]

If I do it this way I need to use the Read File file path for the entire external API request? I tried attaching an HTTP request to the Read File file path block but this resulted in: 400 - Request path contains unescaped characters error.

[Adam_Greenstein]

I’m having nearly the exact same issue so if there is a solution for this it would be greatly appreciated!

[mark-piller]

Hi @shaun_brown,

Could you please check what the HTTP block returns and share the complete URL with us? It will help with diagnosing this issue further.

Regards,
Mark

[shaun_brown]

The return on the above posted logic is:

Header: “content-length” : “99”

“content-type” : “application/json”

Body: {
“code”: 0,
“message”: “Request path contains unescaped characters”,
“errorData”: {}
}

---

When the HTTP POST request is attached directly to API service return:

full url is: https://app.useanvil.com/api/v1/fill/KRZkxuCjQAggk7ILzOuB.pdf

The api accepts a JSON payload to fill out a pre-formatted PDF and then return the filled out PDF file.

[vladimir-upirov]

Hello @shaun_brown @Adam_Greenstein

The issue is with the HTTP block, it always use encoding “utf8” that’s why it always returns the file content as text.
We are going to add a new option to the HTTP block in order to return List of Bytes and as result it will be possible to save a file in the Backendless Files using this combination.

The internal ticket’s number for is BKNDLSS-24285

Regards, Vlad

[Adam_Greenstein]

Thanks Vladimir! Any idea on a timeline so I can give my customers a heads up? Also, is there a way to do this in JS in the meantime?

[vladimir-upirov]

It’s already fixed and it’s in the testing stage. I believe it will be released the next week.

Yes, it is possible with JS.
Inside the JS API Service, you can use our Request library, this is already there as a part of the JS-SDK

here is a code sample (I didn’t test it):

async loadAndSave() {
  const fileContent = await Backendless.Request.post('your/path')
    .set({ 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'x-header-key': 'x-header-value' })
    .setEncoding(null)
    .send('your body')

  return Backendless.saveFile('/test-folder', 'test.pdf', fileContent)
}

[shaun_brown]

Hi Vlad,

Any update on this feature being deployed?

[Andriy_Konoz]

Hi @shaun_brown !

Our developers are working on it right now. We notify you when It will be available.
Sorry for inconvenience.

Regards, Andriy