BUILDING A CUSTOM FLOW CONNECTOR FROM SCRATCH Presented

BUILDING A CUSTOM FLOW CONNECTOR …FROM SCRATCH Presented by: Matt Beard (Data 8)

What’s Flow? AGENDA What’s a Connector? What’s a Custom Connector? What’s an API? Postman Let’s Build

MICROSOFT FLOW • Create automated workflows with Microsoft Flow. • Eventual replacement for Dynamics 365 Workflow Engine. • Included in some licensing, not in others. Long confusing story that no-one really understands.

CONNECTORS • Connectors provided by Microsoft within the Flow platform. • Written by Microsoft or the respective owners and verified by Microsoft. • How many connectors at the moment?

CONNECTORS • Connectors provided by Microsoft within the Flow platform. • Written by Microsoft or the respective owners and verified by Microsoft. • How many connectors at the moment? • 251 published connectors from some well known names That was me!

CUSTOM CONNECTORS • Exactly the same as connectors • Moving to open source so you can see • https: //github. com/microsoft/Power. Platform. Connectors • Wrap up HTTP requests to API • Built with a simple GUI

API • Through HTTP requests, perform actions or tasks. • API’s can look developer focused but aren’t that complicated. • Don’t need to be external API’s, could have internal API’s for business needs. You Important bits of data HTTP(S) Server

API Restful API You • CREATE • GET • READ • POST • UPDATE • DELETE Server • PUT • DELETE

Open. API • A standard specification for RESTful API’s. • https: //swagger. io/docs/specification/about/ • Industry standard layout which describes • • Endpoints and the operations they use. Input and Output Parameters Authentication Methods Miscellaneous such as licensing, terms of use etc. • Often provided by API developers, making your life easier but not required for Custom Connectors.

JSON • JSON => Javascript Object Notation • Open standard file format to transmit human readable text • Modern replacement for XML

POSTMAN • Useful tool for testing API’s and exploring them a little more. • Free to download https: //www. getpostman. com/ • Make raw HTTP requests so you can investigate requests and responses. • Let’s see it in action…

TODAYS PROBLEM…

HELP! I’m lost with nothing around…. Okay… What’s your GPS?

I’m at 53. 2644036 and -2. 8770825 Let me write this down…

I’m at extra pipes baggage On my way!

ENOUGH THEORY…

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!