Christer
Joined: Aug 02, 2003
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I'm working on creating an API for those of you who develop external applications that collect data from the site. To do this, I would need some assistance on what you, as the developers of such applications, would like to see from the site.
Even though some of you already use XML files that the site provides, I would like to collect this into a comprehensive API. I know some people parse HTML, which is very inefficient..
So, what would you like to see from an XML api?
As a preview, you can check out these XML documents to see what would be possible:
http://fumbbl.com/xml:group?id=2299&op=matches
http://fumbbl.com/xml:group?id=2299&op=tourneys
http://fumbbl.com/xml:group?id=2299&op=members
Let me know what you think  |
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koadah
Joined: Mar 30, 2005
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 Posted:
Jun 20, 2009 - 00:16 |
 
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Zombie69
Joined: Jul 02, 2007
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Jun 20, 2009 - 02:18 |
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I don't get the reference. Care to elaborate? |
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Christer
Joined: Aug 02, 2003
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Cyanide's Blood Bowl game. The developers are French. the 26th is the release date IIRC. |
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funnyfingers
Joined: Nov 13, 2005
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Jun 20, 2009 - 03:06 |
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funnyfingers
Joined: Nov 13, 2005
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Jun 20, 2009 - 03:15 |
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Oh and probably wouldn't need any of the actual match info in the group xml if you just have the match id, next step I supposed would to be to call XML:match?id=11111 |
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Ameranth
Joined: Aug 08, 2005
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Jun 20, 2009 - 05:51 |
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I don't realy care about an API for parsing site data for external use, but what I'd love to see is an API for modifying data on the site.
For example, one of the tabs on a league management page should allow a simple format (say csv) for things like custom rosters, or starting with more cash, or skilled players, etc. The site would use these in place of the standard rosters, though a simple option along the lines of 'include default_orcs' would help as well.
One change this would require is when creating a team, it would have to be created specifically for that league. This would require an extra choice under the division section of team creation.
This could be easily extended to stars, though I'd really love to see skill rolls be modifiable as well.
For example, consider making a chaos/rotter/skaven only league where players rolled for skills normally, but could no longer choose mutations. Instead, each player got a random mutation every time they skilled.
Also, how about a league where players got to create a full team with 7 skills on each player. Instead of rolling for skills the team would get a fixed number of norms, dbls, ST, AG, MA to assign as desired. The premise being to create your dream team, and see how it would compete against others.
Thats the kind of thing I'd like to see done with an API. More options for playing, not for data analysis. |
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SeraphimRed
Joined: Feb 01, 2004
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Jun 20, 2009 - 11:12 |
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Just wanted to say that I think this is a great idea BigC.
My stats prog uses regular expressions to parse the html right now as I wasn't even aware you stored any data in XML form. : /
I'm a little loath to rewrite a working program though and as inefficient as it is it sits in the background running on a low priority task so it's no biggy for me personally.
That said, I'm sure it will be a great asset for new developers wanting to hook into FUMBBL.
Can I get a comprehensive list of the XML reports please? |
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funnyfingers
Joined: Nov 13, 2005
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Jun 20, 2009 - 15:23 |
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SeraphimRed - Just an FYI, I am pretty sure he doesn't store any data in XML format. It is in the database. He grabs it from there using the parameters in the URL examples and outputs it to XML. |
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Hephi
Joined: Aug 02, 2003
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Jun 20, 2009 - 16:05 |
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I use the html files and parse the content through a self written java application. I save the results in xml files which I then call using servlets/beans to show on my website.
the main teams.xml file has a basic and easy structure like
<teams>
<team with vars:name coach race>
16 <player>elements with their totals (eg. all completions made over all games entered)
an element with the total statistics of that team (eg. all TD's scored over all games entered in the tournament)
an element per parsed game
</team>
</teams>
site is not online at the moment but will be soon, I'll
post example files and links then for those interested. |
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SeraphimRed
Joined: Feb 01, 2004
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Jun 20, 2009 - 16:50 |
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| funnyfingers wrote: | | SeraphimRed - Just an FYI, I am pretty sure he doesn't store any data in XML format. It is in the database. He grabs it from there using the parameters in the URL examples and outputs it to XML. |
A slip of the keyboard mate.
I'm sure that's the case, after all - it is what FUMBBL does for almost every other page.  |
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Last edited by SeraphimRed on %b %20, %2009 - %17:%Jun; edited 1 time in total |
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SeraphimRed
Joined: Feb 01, 2004
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Jun 20, 2009 - 17:11 |
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My Stat program gathers the html from all relevant areas (if it hasn't already stored the data in its own database) within the group, builds the new html and then posts it to the site - this is why I think web services would be better, but anywho.
The API should cover:
Group Members
Groups current and old tourneys and their associated games
Match results including player performances
Teams
Players
I know that's not very detailed, perhaps you wanted an XSD or similar but assuming you expose comprehensive data that is available in the html pages, that should cover it.
It doesn't really need to do anything fancy. If you expose the basic data and let the App developers do the fancy/clever stuff I think that will be perfect. |
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SeraphimRed
Joined: Feb 01, 2004
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Jun 20, 2009 - 17:20 |
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Oh - and while you're in this mood BigC - fixing the Tourney forfeiting points would be just peachy and very well received by those of us that procrastinate in [L]. |
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Enhance YOUR FUMBBL
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peikko
Joined: Aug 02, 2003
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Jun 21, 2009 - 12:06 |
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As said before, I think the basic data now provided in html pages would be mostly enough.
Theres couple things that I personally would feel handy making team bio tables:
a) It would be nice if game report would include stats for stars and freebooters and players who did play in that game (not mng) would be included in xml info too, would be good for those per games stats...
b) Taking one step more here, what if it would be possible for when game is updated that team page / group page info could call external website for updated bio and add it to team bio / group page automaticly. It could do the same check as submitting bio does now to make sure the data received from external site is nothing more than accepted html/css/javascript. |
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Purplegoo
Joined: Mar 23, 2006
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| Posted:
Jun 21, 2009 - 12:10 |
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| SeraphimRed wrote: | | Oh - and while you're in this mood BigC - fixing the Tourney forfeiting points would be just peachy and very well received by those of us that procrastinate in [L]. |
Yes - great point.
If he who is most awesome has a spare 10 mins. |
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Gnomes are trash
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