can autosys invoke rest api?

 # Invoking REST APIs with AutoSys

AutoSys is a popular job scheduling tool used to automate tasks in a diverse range of environments. It allows the scheduling, monitoring, and management of jobs across various platforms. While traditionally used for batch processing tasks, you can also configure AutoSys to invoke a REST API by creating a job that uses command-line tools like `curl` or a custom script to make the API call.

## Why Invoke REST APIs from AutoSys?

REST APIs are widely used to communicate between systems and perform operations like data retrieval, updates, or even triggering specific workflows. Invoking REST APIs via AutoSys allows for the automation of these tasks, which can help:

- Integrate systems in a more seamless manner.

- Automate the triggering of workflows in response to specific conditions.

- Perform regular checks, such as monitoring external services or updating databases.

## How to Invoke a REST API in AutoSys

### 1. Using `curl` or `wget` for REST API Calls

The most straightforward way to invoke a REST API from AutoSys is to use command-line tools like `curl` or `wget`. These tools allow you to make HTTP requests directly from the shell, which can then be invoked by AutoSys as part of a job.

### Example 1: Basic `curl` Job in AutoSys

Here’s an example of a JIL (Job Information Language) file that invokes a REST API using `curl`:

```JIL

insert_job: invoke_rest_api_job

job_type: c

command: curl -X GET "https://api.example.com/data" -H "accept: application/json"

machine: myserver

owner: user@myserver

permission: gx,ge

date_conditions: 1

start_times: "09:00"

description: "Job to invoke REST API"

std_out_file: /path/to/output_file.out

std_err_file: /path/to/error_file.err

alarm_if_fail: 1

```

### Explanation of the JIL Fields:

- **command**: This is the actual API invocation using `curl`. In this example, a `GET` request is sent to the `https://api.example.com/data` endpoint.

- **machine**: This specifies the machine (server) where the job will run. Replace `myserver` with your actual machine name.

- **owner**: The user that owns the job.

- **start_times**: The time at which the job will run. In this case, it will run every day at 09:00.

- **std_out_file** and **std_err_file**: These are log files where the standard output and error will be stored.

### Example 2: POST Request with `curl`

Here’s an example where a `POST` request is made to the API, sending some JSON data:

```JIL

insert_job: post_rest_api_job

job_type: c

command: curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/submit" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"key":"value"}'

machine: myserver

owner: user@myserver

permission: gx,ge

date_conditions: 1

start_times: "10:00"

description: "Job to submit data to REST API"

std_out_file: /path/to/output_file.out

std_err_file: /path/to/error_file.err

alarm_if_fail: 1

```

### Explanation of the JIL Fields:

- **command**: The `POST` request sends JSON data (`{"key":"value"}`) to the `https://api.example.com/submit` endpoint.

- **-H "Content-Type: application/json"**: This header specifies that the content being sent is in JSON format.

- **-d**: The `-d` option allows you to send data along with the request.

### 2. Using Custom Shell Scripts

You can also create a shell script that invokes the REST API and then run this script as a job in AutoSys.

#### Example Shell Script (`invoke_api.sh`):

```bash

#!/bin/bash

# REST API URL

URL="https://api.example.com/data"

# Invoke the API using curl

response=$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" -X GET "$URL")

# Check if the request was successful

if [ "$response" -eq 200 ]; then

    echo "API call successful"

    exit 0

else

    echo "API call failed with response code: $response"

    exit 1

fi

```

#### AutoSys JIL for Shell Script Job:

```JIL

insert_job: script_invoke_rest_api

job_type: c

command: /path/to/invoke_api.sh

machine: myserver

owner: user@myserver

permission: gx,ge

date_conditions: 1

start_times: "11:00"

description: "Job to invoke API using shell script"

std_out_file: /path/to/output_file.out

std_err_file: /path/to/error_file.err

alarm_if_fail: 1

```

### 3. Scheduling and Dependencies

AutoSys provides flexible scheduling and job dependency options, so you can invoke the REST API:

- At regular intervals (daily, weekly, etc.).

- After the completion of other jobs or tasks.

- Based on conditions such as the success or failure of other jobs.

For example, you can set up a chain where once a data processing job completes, the API call is triggered.

```JIL

insert_job: dependent_api_job

job_type: c

command: curl -X GET "https://api.example.com/process"

machine: myserver

owner: user@myserver

permission: gx,ge

condition: success(previous_job)

date_conditions: 1

start_times: "12:00"

description: "API call after job completion"

std_out_file: /path/to/output_file.out

std_err_file: /path/to/error_file.err

alarm_if_fail: 1

```

## Error Handling and Logging

When invoking REST APIs, it’s crucial to handle errors and log responses. This ensures that if the API fails or returns an error, you can track the issue.

- **Error Codes**: Handle HTTP response codes like `200` (success), `400` (bad request), `500` (server error), etc., in your script or command.

- **Retry Logic**: You may want to implement retry logic in your script or AutoSys job definition in case of a failure.

- **Logs**: Use `std_out_file` and `std_err_file` to capture API responses and errors.

## Conclusion

Using AutoSys to invoke REST APIs can significantly enhance automation workflows, enabling communication between systems or triggering workflows via HTTP requests. Whether using command-line tools like `curl` or custom scripts, AutoSys makes it easy to schedule and manage these tasks. By carefully configuring jobs and handling errors, you can ensure reliable, automated interactions with REST APIs.