Can AutoSys Call a REST API?

 

AutoSys is a job scheduling and automation tool widely used for managing and monitoring various batch processes. One question that often arises is whether AutoSys can call a REST API as part of its job flow. The answer is yes, but it requires integration using shell scripts or other command-line utilities capable of making HTTP requests. Let's explore how AutoSys can call a REST API and the steps involved.

## 1. **Overview of AutoSys and REST APIs**

### AutoSys

AutoSys manages job scheduling by creating, monitoring, and controlling processes across various systems. AutoSys jobs can be defined using Job Information Language (JIL) or through the AutoSys GUI. These jobs can range from executing shell scripts, triggering file transfers, starting database queries, or running complex workflows across distributed environments.

### REST API

A REST (Representational State Transfer) API is a web service that allows communication between a client and a server using HTTP requests like `GET`, `POST`, `PUT`, `DELETE`, etc. REST APIs are commonly used for integrating different systems, and they follow a stateless, client-server architecture.

## 2. **Why Call a REST API from AutoSys?**

There are various reasons why you might want to call a REST API from AutoSys:

- **Triggering Processes**: You might want to trigger certain processes in a different system via an API.

- **Monitoring External Systems**: Calling a REST API can help AutoSys monitor the status of external services or applications.

- **Automation**: APIs can be used to automate tasks such as creating reports, sending notifications, or integrating with other services (e.g., CI/CD pipelines, cloud services).

  

## 3. **How to Call a REST API from AutoSys**

Since AutoSys does not natively support HTTP requests, you can use a script or external tool that can handle HTTP requests to achieve this. Here are the most common methods:

### Method 1: **Using `curl` Command**

One of the easiest ways to call a REST API from AutoSys is by using the `curl` command, which is a command-line tool for sending HTTP requests.

#### Example: Using `curl` to Call a REST API

Here’s a simple example of how to use `curl` within an AutoSys job to send a `POST` request to a REST API.

1. **Create a Shell Script:**

   You can create a shell script that makes an HTTP request using `curl`:

   ```bash

   #!/bin/bash

   curl -X POST https://api.example.com/trigger \

   -H "Content-Type: application/json" \

   -d '{"job_id": "12345", "action": "start"}'

   ```

   Save this script as `call_api.sh` and make sure it's executable:

   ```bash

   chmod +x call_api.sh

   ```

2. **Define an AutoSys Job:**

   Now, define an AutoSys job to run this script:

   ```bash

   insert_job: call_rest_api_job

   job_type: c

   command: /path/to/call_api.sh

   machine: <target_machine>

   owner: <user>

   ```

   This job will execute the `call_api.sh` script, which triggers a REST API.

### Method 2: **Using Python or Other Languages**

You can use other scripting languages like Python, which have libraries for making HTTP requests (such as `requests`).

#### Example: Using Python to Call a REST API

1. **Create a Python Script:**

   Here’s an example Python script using the `requests` library:

   ```python

   import requests

   url = "https://api.example.com/trigger"

   headers = {"Content-Type": "application/json"}

   data = {"job_id": "12345", "action": "start"}

   response = requests.post(url, json=data, headers=headers)

   if response.status_code == 200:

       print("Job triggered successfully")

   else:

       print(f"Failed to trigger job: {response.status_code}")

   ```

   Save the script as `call_api.py`.

2. **Define an AutoSys Job:**

   Now, define the AutoSys job to run this Python script:

   ```bash

   insert_job: call_api_python_job

   job_type: c

   command: /usr/bin/python3 /path/to/call_api.py

   machine: <target_machine>

   owner: <user>

   ```

### Method 3: **Using AutoSys WCC (Workload Control Center) REST API**

If you're working with AutoSys Workload Automation (WAAE) and the Workload Control Center (WCC), you can use its own REST API to integrate job control and monitoring tasks via HTTP requests.

#### Example: Trigger an AutoSys Job Using WCC REST API

1. **Create an API Call Using `curl`:**

   ```bash

   curl -X POST https://<wcc_server>/wa/api/job/<job_name>/start \

   -u username:password

   ```

2. **Define an AutoSys Job:**

   ```bash

   insert_job: start_job_via_api

   job_type: c

   command: /path/to/start_job.sh

   machine: <target_machine>

   owner: <user>

   ```

This example shows how to trigger an AutoSys job using the WCC REST API, but the general principle applies to calling any external API.

## 4. **Error Handling and Retries**

When calling external APIs, you should always include error handling and retries in case the API fails to respond or returns an error. This can be handled in the script itself or through AutoSys job conditions.

### Example: Retry Logic in Shell Script

```bash

#!/bin/bash

MAX_RETRIES=3

count=0

while [ $count -lt $MAX_RETRIES ]; do

   response=$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" -X POST https://api.example.com/trigger -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"job_id": "12345", "action": "start"}')

   

   if [ "$response" -eq 200 ]; then

      echo "Job triggered successfully"

      exit 0

   else

      echo "Failed to trigger job, retrying... ($count)"

      count=$((count+1))

      sleep 10

   fi

done

echo "Failed to trigger job after $MAX_RETRIES attempts"

exit 1

```

## 5. **Logging and Monitoring**

AutoSys provides logging and monitoring capabilities for job execution. You can use these logs to monitor the status of the job that calls the REST API. If the job fails due to an unsuccessful API call, you can use AutoSys event management to send notifications or take corrective actions.

## 6. **Security Considerations**

When calling REST APIs from AutoSys, ensure that sensitive information, such as API keys or authentication credentials, is stored securely. Use environment variables, encrypted storage, or AutoSys security features to handle credentials securely.

## Conclusion

AutoSys can call a REST API through external scripts or tools like `curl`, Python, or by leveraging AutoSys WCC’s REST API if applicable. This integration opens up possibilities for automating tasks across distributed systems and enabling more dynamic workflows. With proper error handling, logging, and security measures in place, calling REST APIs from AutoSys can be a powerful extension to its capabilities.