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Twitter

BOTs and APIS

SJU ACM STUDENT CHAPTER

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The Basics of APIs

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What is AN API?

API: Application Programming Interface
Amazon Web Services (AWS) defines API as:

“...mechanisms that enable two software components to communicate with each other using a set of definitions and protocols.”

Example of how an API works:

The weather bureau’s software system contains daily weather data. The weather app on your phone “talks” to this system via APIs and shows you daily weather updates on your phone.

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Simplified EXAMple of how an api works

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How do APIs work? (Part 1)

apis ARE USUALLY TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF CLIENT AND SERVER.

Application sending the request is the client
Application sending the response is called the server

Example:

In the weather example, the weather bureau’s database is the server, and the mobile app (I.e. The weather channel/Weather app on your phone) is the client.

APi endpoints:

a point at which an API - the code that allows two software programs to communicate with each other -- connects with the software program.

API endpoints = specific digital location where requests for info are sent by one program to retrieve the digital resource that exists there. Endpoints specify where APIs can access resources, help guarantee the proper functioning of the incorporated software.

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How do APIs work? (Part 2)

There are FOur ways APIS can work (depending on date of creation and reason for creation):

SOAP APIS

Soap = Simple Object access Protocol
Client/Server exchange messages using XML.

XML = Extensible Markup Language

More popular in the past, less flexible today

RPC APis

RPC = Remote procedure calls
CLient completes function/procedure on server, then server sends output back to client

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How do APIs work? (Part 3)

Websocket APIs

Uses JSON objects to pass data
Supports two-way communication between client apps and servers
Server can send callback messages to connected clients.

REST APIS

REST = Representational State Transfer
Most popular/flexible API on the web today.
Client sends requests to server as data

Server uses this client input to start its internal functions and returns this data back to client

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Benefits of using REST APis

Integration

Integrate new apps with existing software systems
Increased development speed

No functionality written from scratch

Leverage existing code

Innovation

Arrival of new app = changes in entire industries
Make changes at api level w/o having to rewrite whole code

Expansion

Unique opportunity to expand to meet client’s needs on diff. platforms
Ex:

Maps api allows Map Info integration via websites, Android, ios, etc.
Any biz can do similar things by using free/Paid apis

Ease of maintenance

APi acts as a gateway between two systems
Each system = has to make changes internally to prevent impact to API

This way, any code changes by one party don’t impact another party.

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Intro to the Twitter Bot

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What is a twitter bot?

In essence, a twitter bot is a type of software bot that controls a twitter account via the TwiTter ApI.

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How Twitter bots Work

Twitter bots are able to autonomously perform actions such as:

tweeting
re-tweeting
liking
following
unfollowing
direct messaging

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Other notes about Twitter APIS

versions

recently, tw api released apiv2.

largest upgrade of api since 2012.

new endpoints
New and more detailed data objects
Advanced metrics
etc.

Access levels:

Essential
elevated
Academic research
Elevated + (Coming soon)

Each access level has different rules and limits, depending on the needs of your project.

Other offerings

Enterprise APIs (Formerly Gnip 2.0)
Premium v1.1
Standard v1.1

These offer scalable access to twitter’s data, incl. better APIS, endpoints, etc.

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How To make a twitter bot

Apply for a twitter developer account

(Visit https://developer.twitter.com/)

Create a twitter project and app
Adjust twitter app settings according to your needs
generate your access token and secret access token (API credentials)

Note: save your credentials in a safe place and do not share with anyone!

program your twitter bot

Python is simples/most popular choice for this

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Benefits of creating a Twitter bot

useful

Twitter bots can provide useful information or functions to users

Automated

allows for automation of tasks simply by interacting with the bot on twitter

Quick

Twitter bots post and respond quickly

Entertaining

there are Lots of fun and interesting twitter bots to follow and use

Good to put on resume

Projects like Twitter bots can be added to your resume, github, or linkedin

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DOWnsides of Twitter bots

SPAM

bots can be programmed to spam messages on twitter, creating cluttered feeds

SCAM

Bots can promote schemes to steal your personal information or carry out other malicious activities

False Information

Auto-generated messages can potentially lead to the posting and sharing of false information

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Examples of Twitter Bots on Twitter - EARTHQUake robot

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Examples of Twitter Bots on Twitter - Remind me of this tweet

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Examples of Twitter Bots on Twitter - make it a quote

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Twitter Bot Demo

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Twitter Bot Information:

Name of Bot: MLBRANDOMSEASONSIMBOT
Twitter Handle: @SeasonRandom
Created: NoVember 2022
Language: python
Reason for Creating the bot:

I love Baseball, and I have a keen interest in baseball stats. I was also inspired by the mlb Sh*tpost Bot a ton, as it tweeted random statements with random (Actual) Mlb players in them.