Angular rxjs - Call API recursively till status is true

3 min read 20-09-2024
Angular rxjs - Call API recursively till status is true


In modern web development, using Angular with RxJS allows developers to handle asynchronous operations seamlessly. One common requirement is to call an API recursively until a certain condition is met — for example, until a specific status returns true. This article will guide you through an example of how to achieve this using Angular and RxJS.

Problem Scenario

The goal is to call an API repeatedly until a desired status is achieved. Let's assume we have an API that returns a JSON object with a status property, and we want to keep calling this API until status is true. Below is a simplified version of the original code that can illustrate this problem:

import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
import { HttpClient } from '@angular/common/http';
import { Observable, of } from 'rxjs';
import { catchError, filter, switchMap, delay } from 'rxjs/operators';

@Injectable({
  providedIn: 'root',
})
export class ApiService {
  constructor(private http: HttpClient) {}

  // Method to call API recursively
  checkStatus(): Observable<any> {
    return this.http.get('https://example.com/api/status').pipe(
      catchError((error) => {
        console.error('Error fetching data:', error);
        return of({ status: false });
      })
    );
  }

  // Recursive API Call
  callApiUntilTrue(): Observable<any> {
    return this.checkStatus().pipe(
      filter(response => response.status === true),
      switchMap(response => {
        if (!response.status) {
          // Delay before the next call
          return of(null).pipe(delay(1000), switchMap(() => this.callApiUntilTrue()));
        }
        return of(response);
      })
    );
  }
}

Understanding the Code

  1. HttpClient: This service is used to make HTTP requests. In the example, we are making a GET request to an API endpoint.

  2. Observable: The API call returns an Observable, which emits the response once the HTTP request completes.

  3. Error Handling: The catchError operator catches any errors during the API call, returning a default object with status: false.

  4. Recursive Logic: The callApiUntilTrue method invokes checkStatus, checks if the status property is true, and if not, it delays the next call by 1000 milliseconds (1 second) before making another request.

Practical Example

Let's expand the example by considering a scenario where you want to fetch user data that is generated asynchronously, and you want to continue checking the user status until it is 'active'.

Here is how you could implement this in a component:

import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core';
import { ApiService } from './api.service';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-user-status',
  templateUrl: './user-status.component.html',
})
export class UserStatusComponent implements OnInit {
  userStatus: boolean = false;

  constructor(private apiService: ApiService) {}

  ngOnInit(): void {
    this.apiService.callApiUntilTrue().subscribe((response) => {
      if (response) {
        this.userStatus = true;
        console.log('User is now active:', response);
      }
    });
  }
}

In this component:

  • The ngOnInit lifecycle hook starts the recursive API call when the component initializes.
  • Once a response with an active status is received, it updates the userStatus property.

SEO Optimization and Value Addition

This article is structured to be easily readable, focusing on a problem-solving approach that includes a practical example. When optimizing for SEO, it's essential to use relevant keywords like "Angular", "RxJS", "API call", and "recursive function" throughout the article, including in headings, subheadings, and the main body text.

Additionally, it might be beneficial to offer links to related resources such as:

Conclusion

In summary, using Angular and RxJS to make recursive API calls until a certain condition is met is a powerful way to handle asynchronous operations. With the provided code and explanations, you can implement this functionality in your applications effectively. Always ensure to incorporate error handling and consider performance implications, especially if the number of calls is potentially high.

Feel free to adapt the patterns discussed here according to your application’s specific needs and enjoy the power of reactive programming with RxJS in Angular!