Is it possible to have filemaker receive a barcode from a scanner (i know it can) and have it lookup the barcode online through an api then parse the data into fields.  I am assuming the webdata will probably come in json.

Probably. At least I can't see why not, based on your description. The devil is in the details.

Of course it can😀 My question was somewhat rhetorical in nature.  I think i should have asked,  does anyone know of any such reliable barcode database api that I could try to access and then try to parse the data. Or at least a service that they have had success with?

Dave

What type of barcode are we talking about?

Mostly UPC but maybe EAN

Hi!

I would also be interested about this kind of feature. There is quite good barcode database in address: Barcode lookup. They also tell details about their API (Barcodelookup API), but my knowledge is not good enough to understand how to integrate that to FileMaker.

 Anyone here with more brains?🙄

Do you have a key to their API? If so, try the attached file (untested).

<<file deleted>>

 

Edited September 16, 20196 yr by comment

Thank you, "comment"! Unfortunately I don't have key for this service. It would cost minimum $99/month, and my usage is just random and hobbybased. Entering a single barcode to their frontpage seems to be free, and I was just wondering if that could be used via Filemaker.

 

But thanks anyway!😊

1 hour ago, R2D2 said:

It would cost minimum $99/month,

Actually, they offer a "free test API account". I am not sure what that includes, and for how long.

 

1 hour ago, R2D2 said:

Entering a single barcode to their frontpage seems to be free, and I was just wondering if that could be used via Filemaker.

Technically, you could do the lookup in a web viewer and then "scrape" the resulting web page. However, that would be a violation of their terms of service.

 

I actually wrote them and asked if they could consider also "pay by use" -possibilty. But we'll see...

Ok... Now I signed up for testing and got my APIkey. I also got quite good offer for my purposes. Unfortunately that script you made up does not work. Nothing happens after I press "Get Response"😕

Have a look here:

http://filemakerandapis.com

for a sample file and video.

2 hours ago, R2D2 said:

Nothing happens after I press "Get Response"

Sorry, I don't know. I believe I have followed their instructions - which are actually very simple: you are supposed to call a URL in the form of:

https://api.barcodelookup.com/v2/products?barcode=3614272049529&formatted=y&key=your_api_key

and get a JSON response in return. 

 

See if calling such URL (with your API key replacing the string "your_api_key") in your browser produces anything.

 

Hold on: I've found a stupid mistake in my file. Try it again.

 

BarcodeLookupAPI.fmp12

Edited September 16, 20196 yr by comment

Oh yeah! Now it works! Thank you very very much!

 

Good. If you're in contact with the data providers, tell them they should return an error message when someone calls with a wrong/missing key.