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Facebook Graph API

Ceré Rettig
  • Updated

This will require Data Admin privileges to setup and Builder for implementation.

iDashboards is able to connect to a Facebook Graph API by using a JDBC driver. A JDBC driver is a software component enabling a Java application to interact with a database. To connect with individual databases, JDBC (Java Database Connectivity API) requires specific drivers for each database. The JDBC driver gives out the connection to the database and implements the protocol for transferring the query and result between the client and the database. iDashboards implements native protocols and does not require additional software installed on the driver host. In other words, iDashboards provides driver connectivity with the JDBC Data Source via the specified driver. This document explains a step-by-step procedure to create the Data Source with a Premium Data Connector. If you do not have access to the Premium Data Connectors please contact your Client Success Manager.

CDATA for Facebook – Facebook Developer – Data Connection

CDATA for Facebook

CData JDBC Driver for Facebook is where we get the documentation on making this connection, however, the Premium Data Connectors are not a straight forward process which is why we make articles like this to help you make the connections more easily. This one requires a few steps, with a few different links to get very specific pieces of information to make this connection within iDashboards. The Facebook Graph API is part of the Premium Data Connectors if you do not have these please contact your Client Success Manager.

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Facebook Developer

  1.  Create a Facebook App
    • Log into Facebook for Developers with your Facebook credentials
    • Verify your account
    • Click My Apps in the upper right corner
    • Click Create App in the center
    • In Basic Settings give the app a display name like: iDashboards API
    • You will be presented with your App ID and App Secret
  2. Obtaining your long-term access token
    • Access Token Documentation
    • Go to Facebook Developer Tools
    • Select User or Page

       

    • Click Get User Access Token

      • You should now receive a short term Access Token

    • Copy the following URL 
      • https://graph.facebook.com/v2.10/oauth/access_token?grant_type=fb_exchange_token&client_id={ClientID}&client_secret={CLIENTSECRET}&fb_exchange_token={TOKEN}
    • Paste into Notepad or text editor of choice
    • Fill in {ClientID}, {CLIENTSECRET}, and {TOKEN} with information from 1 and the Access Token
    • Copy and paste the URL you created into a browser
    • Hit Enter

      • You should now have a Long-Term token

CDATA for Facebook – Facebook Developer

Data Connection

Follow the steps below to set up a data source in iDashboards Admin or Data Hub

    • Click Data Sources
    • In Data Sources set the data source type to Generic JDBC
    • Click New
    • In the Create a Data Source window fill out the highlighted fields:mceclip0.png

      • Fill in the URL with your Client ID, Secret, the long-term token and paste into Database URL. 

        • Database URL: jdbc:facebook:CallbackURL=http://localhost:6700/idbdata/console/api/callback;Initiate OAuth=GETANDREFRESH;OAuth Access Token={Long-TermToken};OAuth Client Id={ClientID};OAuth Client Secret={ClientSecret};
        • Driver Class: cdata.jdbc.facebook.FacebookDriver
    • Click Save, your data connection has been made!

Facebook Disclaimer: This alone will not pull the data through seamlessly, there is still more work to get it out of Facebook. This responsibility is fully on the client. iDashboards Support CANNOT dedicate time towards this task. We only assist in making the connection.

For More Information:

Disclaimer: iDashboards Technical Support Engineers are not proficient in the Management and Integration of every API that exists as new APIs are being created everyday with each company that wants to provide seamless integration with other software. However, we do our best to help you make these connections because we want to assist you in your success. If you do not see an article for a connection you would like to make please contact iDashboards Support and know that it will take a bit of time to figure out what is necessary for this integration.

If the above is unable to resolve the issue, then please contact iDashboards Support for further assistance.

CDATA for Facebook – Facebook Developer – Data Connection

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