Best practice calling REST api from plugin

[runesigurdsen]

I need to call a REST service from my plugin. What would be the best practice to do so? I have tried to find a suitable function for this in the SDK, but I dont think there is such. Therefore I was thinking of using wininet under windows (and something similar for Mac). Is there a better way to do this?

[Test Screen Name]

You should bear in mind that if your plugin does anything that waits, then all of Acrobat will hang. Net connections potentially wait a long time, especially if there are net outages.

[Thom Parker · Accepted solution]

There isn't anything in the Plug-in SDK for handling HTTP interactions. As you've already mentioned, you'd have to use another SDK for this. However, there is a simple Acrobat based option that might work for making REST requests from a plug-in.  The Acrobat JavaScript model includes an NET.HTTP object which makes raw HTTP Requests. This object can be accessed from a plug-in with the Forms HFT. The AFExecuteThisScript function. I don't know if this is any better for not stopping up Acrobat, but it can be setup to be asynchronous.

[runesigurdsen]

Thank you, I am in the process of testing a couple of SDKs at the moment. Will let you know which one I used.

[Test Screen Name]

If you can find an API that doesn’t need you to install support files like DLLs that may be best. DLL search order is awkward for plugins because it does not include the plugin folder.

[runesigurdsen]

True, hopefully I will avoid just that. Right now I am trying out one that don't need something in addition. Thanks!

[runesigurdsen]

So, I ended up using the Beast library from Boost. Works nice. I have also tested with Cpr based on lib curl and that works fine too.

[Forever Fan]

@runesigurdsen I am having smae requirement, can you please assist with any documentation or Git Repo which will help me and other users? Please advise.

thanks