Google API and PHP

Stephen Martin

Findability Presentation

The Process

In order to use the Google API, you have to follow their 3 step process.

Download the Developers Kit

• Dowload the developer's kit which includes all of the files you'll need from Google's side of the process. You can write your program in your chosen language.
• This presentation focuses on PHP, but you could use .NET, Java or any other language that can connect to web services through SOAP.

Create a Google Account

• In order to use the API (free) you will need a Google account (free).
• If you use GMail or any other Google service, you already have an account!
• The account will allow you to perform 1000 queries per day.

Account Process

Write your program

• Build your program and be sure to use the license key you received in step 2.
• This is what it looks like: (Don't steal mine, you can get your own for free)

What can I do?

• You are only limited to the features of a Google search - which leaves a lot of open ended possibilities. Take a look at the extensive reference link at the end of this presentation.
• Google gives some brief recommendations of things you can do with the Google API
  • An Example: Use the spell check feature of Google somewhere in your web application or site
  • An Example: Monitor a search you perform on a regular basis, like "New PHP Classes "

SOAP and WSDL

• The Google API is a Web Service that is built on SOAP and WSDL
• SOAP stands for Simple Object Access Protocol
• WSDL stands for Web Service Description Language

What are Web Services?

• A web service is a network interface to application functionality (huh?)
• It's much easier to understand when thought of as "functions you can call over the internet"
• SOAP acts as the delivery service, WSDL describes what is being delivered
• In the case of the Google API - the functionality of Google (search capabilities and more) are what is being delivered.
• Google provides a WSDL file in the developer kit

Using NuSOAP

• NuSOAP is a simple, free, PHP class that facilitates the use of web services via SOAP.
• An alternative to the SOAP PEAR Package (No server installation required).
• Include the file in your PHP script, instantiate a NuSOAP object and call your web services functions

PHP 5 and SOAP

• Experiencing problems? Maybe you have PHP5 (I did... and NuSOAP had a fit.)
• PHP5 has a built-in SOAP extension, NuSOAP is not required.
• No includes are necessary if the SOAP extension has been activated on your server (it's not active by default)

Sample Search

• This example uses PHP5 and the installed SOAP extension.
• Example calls the Google API to search for "ipod" and returns a resultElements array.
• Within that array are arrays for each of the results containing items like URL and title.
• Run the Example

Resources

• Google API Home: http://www.google.com/apis/
• API Reference: http://www.google.com/apis/reference.html
• Site Point, Web Services Demystified: http://www.sitepoint.com/article/web-services-demystified
• NuSOAP: http://dietrich.ganx4.com/nusoap/
• Google Search Tutorial: http://www.dankarran.com/googleapi-phpsitesearch/