Ruby HTTP Client

Introduction to Ruby HTTP Clients

Ruby provides several libraries to perform HTTP requests, making it easier to interact with web services and APIs. Two of the most popular libraries are Net::HTTP and HTTParty. In this tutorial, we will explore how to use these libraries to send HTTP requests, handle responses, and work with APIs effectively.

Using Net::HTTP

Net::HTTP is a built-in Ruby library providing a simple HTTP client. It allows you to send GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and other HTTP requests. Let's see how to perform a basic GET request using Net::HTTP.

In this example, we use Net::HTTP.get_response to fetch a resource from the provided URL and print the response body. This method is synchronous and will block until the response is received.

Performing POST Requests with Net::HTTP

Here, we create a new POST request to send JSON data. The Net::HTTP::Post.new method constructs the request, and we specify headers and body before executing with http.request. The response is printed similarly.

Using HTTParty for Simplified HTTP Requests

HTTParty is a popular Ruby gem that simplifies HTTP requests. It provides a more intuitive API compared to Net::HTTP, and is especially useful for quick scripts and applications. First, you need to install the gem:

Once HTTParty is installed, you can use it to perform HTTP requests with ease. Let's look at a GET request example:

As you can see, HTTParty makes the process of sending GET requests much simpler, with its concise and readable syntax.

Sending POST Requests with HTTParty

HTTParty allows for straightforward POST requests as well. Here, we send JSON data in a POST request, similar to our earlier Net::HTTP example, but with fewer lines of code.

Conclusion

Both Net::HTTP and HTTParty offer powerful ways to interact with web APIs using Ruby. Net::HTTP is robust and built-in, while HTTParty provides a more streamlined, user-friendly approach. Depending on your project needs, you can choose the one that fits best. Experiment with both to understand their capabilities and limitations.