oxrlib/README.rst

oxrlib
======

Introduction
------------

oxrlib provides a Python library and CLI tool to query the `Open Exchange Rates API <https://openexchangerates.org/>`_.  It emphasizes support for rich data types throughout, and supports caching API results to the filesystem.

It currently only supports OXR's "historical" API.

Getting started with the CLI tool
---------------------------------

oxrlib includes an `oxrquery` tool to access the OXR API directly from the command line.  By default, it reads your OXR credentials and other common configuration from `~/.config/oxrlib.ini`.  Copy `oxrlib_example.ini` from the source to `~/.config/oxrlib.ini`, then edit that file following the instructions in the comments.

Run `oxrquery --help` for instructions to use the tool.

Getting started with the library
--------------------------------

Here's an example of using the Python library, complete with caching results:

  from oxrlib import cache, loaders, rate

  filename_format = '{date}_{base}_rates.json'
  cache_writer = cache.CacheWriter(DIR_PATH, historical=filename_format)
  loader = loaders.LoaderChain()
  loader.add_loader(loaders.FileCache(DIR_PATH, historical=filename_format))
  loader.add_loader(loaders.OXRAPIRequest(APP_ID_STRING))
  with loader.historical(DATE, BASE_CODE_STRING) as json_response:
      hist_rate = rate.Rate.from_json_file(json_response)
  if loader.should_cache():
      cache_writer.save_rate(hist_rate)
  # Rates are available from the hist_rates.rates dict.

Running tests
-------------

Run `./setup.py test` from your checkout directory.