Slides presented at the Developer 2013 conference in April 2013. Although this deck is one year old, it is still a good primer for C&S APIs in Notes and Domino. The most notable change is the REST calendar service is now part of Domino 9.0.1.

1. © 2013 Wellesley Information Services. All rights reserved.
C&S APIs in
IBM Notes and Domino
Dave Delay
IBM

2. 2
Please Note ...
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3. 3
What We’ll Cover …
• Overview of C&S APIs
• C&S in the C API toolkit
• C&S in LotusScript, Java and SSJS
• REST calendar service
• Wrap-up

4. 4
9.0 Social Edition C&S API Design Goals
• Allow an application to manage data on a user's calendar
 Includes robust and reliable scheduling
 Does not include ToDos, busy-time, and rooms & resources
• Keep it simple
 Encapsulate the Notes/Domino data and recurrence model
 Leverage the iCalendar standard
• Available to developers working in C/C++, LotusScript, Java and
server-side JavaScript
• Easily expandable in future releases

5. 5
C&S APIs Available in 9.0 Social Edition
C API Toolkit (calapi.h)
Java Wrappers
LotusScript
Wrappers
Core C&S Logic
NotesCalendar Back-end Classes
Customer
solutions
using
LotusScript
Customer solutions using
Notes Java API
Customer
solutions
using C / C++
Customer
solutions
using
SSJS
JS Wrappers
• One C&S implementation; multiple interfaces
• All four interfaces are new in 9.0

6. 6
What is iCalendar?
• Text-based, standard representation of calendar data (see
RFC5545)
• Open source iCalendar libraries available (e.g. ical4j & libical)
iCalendar Example:
BEGIN:VCALENDAR
PRODID:-//Renovations Inc//MyApp 1.0//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20130204T140000Z
DTEND:20130204T143000Z
SUMMARY:Team meeting
ORGANIZER;CN="Samantha Daryn":mailto:sdaryn@renovations.com
ATTENDEE;CN="Ted Amado":mailto:tamado@renovations.com
DESCRIPTION:Discuss status
LOCATION:My office
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR

7. 7
C&S API Features
• Working with calendar entries
 Read a range of entries
 Create, read, update or delete an individual calendar entry
 Implicit scheduling for meetings
 Simple actions on meetings (decline, delegate, cancel, etc.)
 Complete support for repeating entries
 Support for all entry types (meetings, appointments, all day
events, anniversaries, reminders)
• Working with calendar notices
 Read the list of new invitations
 Read a list of unapplied notices (for an entry)
 Process a notice (accept, decline, delegate, counter, etc.)

8. 8
What We’ll Cover …
• Overview of C&S APIs
• C&S in the C API toolkit
• C&S in LotusScript, Java and SSJS
• REST calendar service
• Wrap-up

9. 9
C&S in the C API Toolkit
• All functions defined in calapi.h
• The C API is the foundation for all other
language bindings
• Implemented using core C&S and iCalendar logic
• Can be used with open source libical
C API Toolkit (calapi.h)
Core C&S Logic
Customer
solutions
using C / C++

10. 10
A Few Calendar Entry Functions (C API)
• Read the iCalendar representation for a range of events
 STATUS CalReadRange(DBHANDLE hDB, TIMEDATE tdStart,
TIMEDATE tdEnd, ...);
• Read the iCalendar for a single event
 STATUS CalReadEntry(DBHANDLE hDB, const char* pszUID,
const char* pszRecurID, ...);
• Create a new event from iCalendar
 STATUS CalCreateEntry(DBHANDLE hDB, const char*
pszCalEntry, DWORD dwFlags, ...);

11. 11
A Few Calendar Notice Functions (C API)
• Get a list of new invitations
 STATUS CalGetNewInvitations(DBHANDLE hDB, TIMEDATE*
ptdStart, ...);
• Get a list of notices for a single event
 STATUS CalGetUnappliedNotices(DBHANDLE hDB, const char*
pszUID, ...);
• Process a single notice (accept, decline, etc.)
 STATUS CalNoticeAction(DBHANDLE hDB, NOTEID noteID,
DWORD dwAction, ...);

12. 12
Debugging the C API functions
• Notes.ini setting for tracing the C&S API
 CSDebugAPI=1
• This works for the LotusScript, Java and SSJS classes too
Sample console log:
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:03:30.65 AM [CS API]> Enter CalReadEntry,
UID:A6F3B8508B90461A85257B4100601786-Lotus_Notes_Generated, RID:NULL, Flags:0x0.
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:03:30.69 AM [CS API]> Exit CalReadEntry,
return:0x0000, No error.
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:07:49.97 AM [CS API]> Enter CalCreateEntry,
Flags:0x0.
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:07:50.45 AM [CS API]> PRODID required in C&S API
input but was not found
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:07:50.45 AM [CS API]> Error |
ConvertIcal2NoteRequest.cpp(189) : Missing VEvent components (0x892)
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:07:50.49 AM [CS API]> Error |
VersitInterface.cpp(1769) : Missing VEvent components (0x892)
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:07:50.49 AM [CS API]> Error |
VersitInterface.cpp(1966) : Missing VEvent components (0x892)
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:07:50.49 AM [CS API]> Error |
calendarapiworker.cpp(405) : Missing VEvent components (0x892)
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:07:50.49 AM [CS API]> Exit CalCreateEntry,
return:0x0892, Missing VEvent components.
[268C:000A-188C] 04/05/2013 09:07:50.49 AM [CS API]> Error | calendarapi.c(370) :
Missing VEvent components (0x892)

13. 13
C API Documentation
• A complete function reference is included in the C API toolkit
• The calapi.h file also has lots of useful comments
Sample comment:
/*********************************************************************************
* CalReadRange
* This will return data for all entries that begin within a specified date range,
* with paging capabilities (similar to NIFReadEntries) in cases where there is
* more data than can be returned in a single call.
* Specifically, this can return one or both of:
* 1) iCalendar generated from view level data about the calendar entries in the
* date range
* 2) A list of UIDs for each calendar entry in the date range
*
* ...
*
* Inputs: ...
*
* Outputs: ...
*
* Returns: ...
*/

14. 14
What We’ll Cover …
• Overview of C&S APIs
• C&S in the C API toolkit
• C&S in LotusScript, Java and SSJS
• REST calendar service
• Wrap-up

15. 15
C&S in LotusScript, Java & SSJS
• One object model
 NotesCalendar
 NotesCalendarEntry
 NotesCalendarNotice
• Three language bindings
• Java developers can use
open source ical4j
C API Toolkit (calapi.h)
Java Wrappers
LotusScript
Wrappers
Core C&S Logic
NotesCalendar Back-end Classes
Customer
solutions
using
LotusScript
Customer
solutions
using
Notes Java
API
Customer
solutions
using
SSJS
JS Wrappers

16. 16
C&S Backend Classes
Session
getCalendar(Database db) NotesCalendar
readRange(...)
getEntry(String uid)
createEntry(String ical)
getNewInvitations()
NotesCalendarEntry
read()
update(String ical)
remove()
delegate(...)
...
getNotices()
NotesCalendarNotice
read()
accept()
decline()
delegate(...)
...

17. 17
A Few Calendar Entry Methods (Java)
• Read the iCalendar representation for a range of events
 (NotesCalendar class) String readRange(DateTime start,
DateTime end);
• Read the iCalendar for a single event
 (NotesEntryCalendar class) String read();
• Create a new event from iCalendar
 (NotesCalendar class) NotesCalendarEntry createEntry(String
icalentry);
Compare
these
methods
with the
equivalent C
functions.

18. 18
A Few Calendar Notice Methods (Java)
• Get a list of new invitations
 (NotesCalendar class) Vector getNewInvitations(DateTime start,
DateTime since);
• Get a list of notices for a single event
 (NotesCalendarEntry class) Vector getNotices();
• Process a single notice (accept, decline, etc.)
 (NotesCalendarNotice class) void accept(String comments);
 (NotesCalendarNotice class) void decline(String comments);

19. 19
C&S Java API Demo

20. 20
Tips for Using the C&S Backend Classes
• Remember the Notes.ini setting
 CSDebugAPI=1
• Don't forget to recycle (Java and SSJS)
 For example NotesCalendarEntry.recycle() frees any native
memory associated with the entry
 Particularly important when the parent database and session
remain open
• See the NotesError class for useful error codes (Java and SSJS)
 NOTES_ERR_ERRSENDINGNOTICES
 NOTES_ERR_NOTACCEPTED
 NOTES_ERR_NEWERVERSIONEXISTS, etc.

21. 21
C&S Backend Classes Documentation
• See Domino Designer for help on each language binding
• LotusScript help
 IBM Domino Designer Basic User Guide and Reference >
LotusScript/COM/OLE Classes > LotusScript Classes A-Z > NotesCalendar
(LotusScript)
• Java help
 IBM Domino Designer Basic User Guide and Reference > Java/CORBA
Classes > Java Classes A-Z > NotesCalendar (Java)
• Server-side JavaScript help
 IBM Domino Designer XPages Reference > Domino > NotesCalendar
(JavaScript)

22. 22
What We’ll Cover …
• Overview of C&S APIs
• C&S in the C API toolkit
• C&S in LotusScript, Java and SSJS
• REST calendar service
• Wrap-up

23. 23
Review of C&S APIs Available in 9.0 Social Edition
C API Toolkit (calapi.h)
Java Wrappers
LotusScript
Wrappers
Core C&S Logic
NotesCalendar Back-end Classes
Customer
solutions
using
LotusScript
Customer solutions using
Notes Java API
Customer
solutions
using C / C++
Customer
solutions
using
SSJS
JS Wrappers
• Each interface works on either Notes or Domino
• But your application must be co-located with Notes or Domino

24. 24
C&S APIs Planned for 9.x
C API Toolkit (calapi.h)
Java Wrappers
LotusScript
Wrappers
Core C&S Logic
NotesCalendar Back-end Classes
Customer
solutions
using
LotusScript
Customer
solutions
using
Notes Java
API
Customer
solutions
using C / C++
Customer
solutions
using
SSJS
JS Wrappers
Customer
solutions
using
REST
REST Service
HTTP
• Calendar service will provide remote access to the
same C&S implementation

25. 25
Calendar Service Design
• Accessible from any HTTP client
 Web applications (Dojo, jQuery, etc.)
 Native mobile applications
 Open Social gadgets
 Server-to-server applications
• Keep it simple
 Uses the C&S back-end classes
 Uses any authentication scheme supported by Domino (basic,
session, SAML, etc.)
 Same syntax as other IBM services

26. 26
Calendar Service Design (continued)
• Functional design
 Create, read, update and delete calendar entries
 Get a list of new invitations or unapplied notices
 Simple actions to process entries and notices
 Control implicit scheduling
• Resource-oriented
 Calendars, events and notices are resources – each with a
unique URL
 Use simple verbs to act on resources (GET, PUT, POST &
DELETE)
 Navigate between resources

27. 27
iCalendar vs. JSON
• Most calendar service requests support either iCalendar or JSON
• JSON may be easier to use with JavaScript
• iCalendar may be easier to use with an open source parser / generator (ical4j,
libical, etc.)
JSON event:
{
"events": [
{
"id": "8A3941390301436885257AD700661DAE",
"summary": "Super Bowl XLVII",
"location": "New Orleans",
"start": {
"date": "2013-02-03",
"time": "23:30:00",
"utc": true
},
"end": {
"date": "2013-02-04",
"time": "03:00:00",
"utc": true
}
}
]
}
iCalendar event:
BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Lotus ... //NONSGML ...
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20130203T233000Z
DTEND:20130204T030000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20121217T183957Z
DTSTAMP:20121217T184244Z
SUMMARY:Super Bowl XLVII
LOCATION:New Orleans
UID:8A3941390301436885257AD700661DAE
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR

28. 28
A Few Calendar Entry Requests (REST)
• Read a range of events (JSON or iCalendar)
 GET /{database}/api/calendar/events
 GET /{database}/api/calendar/events?format=icalendar
• Read a single event (JSON or iCalendar)
 GET /{database}/api/calendar/events/{uid}
 GET /{database}/api/calendar/events/{uid}?format=icalendar
• Create a new event
 POST /{database}/api/calendar/events
Compare
these REST
requests
with the
other C&S
APIs.

29. 29
A Few Calendar Notice Requests (REST)
• Get a list of new invitations
 GET /{database}/api/calendar/invitations
• Get a list of notices for a single event
 GET /{database}/api/calendar/events/{uid}/notices
• Process a single notice (accept, decline, etc.)
 PUT /{database}/api/calendar/events/{uid}/action?type={action}

30. 30
Sample JSON Response
• Read a range of events
 GET /{database}/api/calendar/events
JSON response:
{
"events": [
{
"id": "8A3941390301436885257AD700661DAE",
"summary": "Super Bowl XLVII",
"location": "New Orleans",
"start": {
"date": "2013-02-03",
"time": "23:30:00",
"utc": true
},
"end": {
"date": "2013-02-04",
"time": "03:00:00",
"utc": true
}
},
{
"id": "09C4206D7BD743D685257AB0007BA513",
"summary": "Repeating Appointment",
"location": "test",
"start": {...},
"end": {...}
}, ...
]
}

31. 31
Sample iCalendar Response
• Read a range of events
 GET /{database}/api/calendar/events?format=icalendar
iCalendar response:
BEGIN:VCALENDAR
X-LOTUS-CHARSET:UTF-8
VERSION:2.0
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20130203T233000Z
DTEND:20130204T030000Z
SUMMARY:Super Bowl XLVII
LOCATION:New Orleans
UID:8A3941390301436885257AD700661DAE
X-LOTUS-SUMMARYDATAONLY:TRUE
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART:20130205T140000Z
DTEND:20130205T150000Z
SUMMARY:Repeating Appointment
LOCATION:test
UID:09C4206D7BD743D685257AB0007BA513
X-LOTUS-SUMMARYDATAONLY:TRUE
END:VEVENT
...
END:VCALENDAR

32. 32
Calendar Service Demo

33. 33
Calendar Service Release Plan
• Like other REST services, it will be released on OpenNTF first
 Part of the XPages Extension Library
 Available to early adopters, source included
 Limited support by the OpenNTF community
• Product release vehicle is TBD
• More on the extension library development model:
Continuous development released as open source
8.5.3 UP1
N/D 8.5.3 N/D 9.0 Social Edition
9.0 UP1 (not in plan)

34. 34
What We’ll Cover …
• Overview of C&S APIs
• C&S in the C API toolkit
• C&S in LotusScript, Java and SSJS
• REST calendar service
• Wrap-up

35. 35
Additional Resources
• www-01.ibm.com/software/lotus/category/messaging
 IBM Notes and Domino 9.0 Social Edition
• www-10.lotus.com/ldd/ddwiki.nsf
 IBM Notes and Domino Application Development Wiki
• extlib.openntf.org
 Extension library on OpenNTF
• tools.ietf.org/pdf/rfc5545.pdf
 iCalendar standard specification
• ical4j.sourceforge.net/index.html
 Java library for parsing and generating iCalendar

36. 36
7 Key Points to Take Home
• One C&S implementation; multiple interfaces
• iCalendar model encapsulates internal complexity
• Take advantage of implicit scheduling
• Choose an open source iCalendar library
• Use CSDebugAPI=1 for development
• Watch OpenNTF for the REST calendar service
• REST services are strategically important for remote access to
Domino

37. 37
Your Turn!
How to contact me:
Dave Delay
ddelay@us.ibm.com