Contents

HELIOS Messaging API

Introduction

HELIOS Messaging API is used to communicate with other HELIOS nodes. The current implementation includes API calls that can be used in group chat application.

HELIOS Messaging API is one of the HELIOS Core APIs provided by HELIOS Communication Manager as highlighted in the picture below:

HELIOS Messaging API

API usage

See javadocs in javadocs.zip.

Introduction

Application should include this library by adding it in the specific build.gradle file. An example:

configurations.all {
    resolutionStrategy.dependencySubstitution {
        substitute module("eu.h2020.helios_social.core.messaging:messaging") with project(':messaging')
    }
}

dependencies {
    implementation 'eu.h2020.helios_social.core.messaging:messaging:1.0.0'
}

The messaging module contains interface classes and basic data structures for messaging that are utilized by messaging protocol modules that implement real messaging transactions.

Interfaces

Helios messaging package contain few interface classes that define interfaces that can be implemented in packages containing messaging protocol implementations.

HeliosMessaging

Messaging protocol implementations are expected to implement HeliosMessaging interface. The main methods of the interface are:

  • connect - Connect to the network.

  • disconnect - Disconnect from the network.

  • publish - Publish a message to a specific topic.

  • subscribe - Subscribe to receive messages from a specific topic.

  • unsubscribe - Unsubscribe earlier topic subscription.

HeliosStorageHelper

This interface contains methods to download and upload files to storage. Storage-specific classes are expected to implement the methods of the interface.

HeliosMessageListener

This is an interface that includes a callback function that is called when a message is received from a connection.

Container classes

HELIOS messaging classes specify data structures that could be used in messaging applications.

HeliosMessage

The class encapsulates messages that will be sent to other nodes. The current implementation is a string. Future version could add more structured alternatives.

HeliosTopic

The class to encapsulate HELIOS topic.

HeliosTopicMessageContainer

The class encapsultes HeliosTopic and HeliosMessage into one container.

HeliosIdentityInfo

This contains the user nickname and a UUID for the user that should be set. Note that the UUID should be generated once and thereafter be reused. Application using this module should store and provide the UUID for the use at this point.

Example usage

Application developers are expected to use messaging protocol implementation classes to to create an object (here called mHeliosMessaging that implements HeliosMessaging interface. should call the method in order to get a singleton object.

After that, teh following steps should be done:

  1. Set a Storage helper class. The class should implement HeliosStorageHelper interface.
    setStorageHelper(new StorageHelperClass(this.getApplicationContext()));

  2. Connect - remember to provide a HeliosIdentityInfo object with nickname and UUID.
    connect(heliosConnectionInfo, heliosIdentityInfo);\

connect(new HeliosConnectionInfo(), new HeliosIdentityInfo(HeliosUserData.getInstance().getValue("username"),
                        HeliosUserData.getInstance().getValue("eu.h2020.helios_social.USER_ID")));
  1. Subscribe to a topic with a listener (HeliosMessageListener).
    subscribe(heliosTopic, mHeliosReceiver);

  2. Publish a message.
    publish(heliosTopic, heliosMessage);
    This can be called from the application side. Topic and Message are defined in Messaging module. Note: The messaging module takes in a raw String message. Currently, JSON-serialization is app-specific.

  3. Other methods
    See javadocs in javadocs.zip.

Future work

  • Message serialization (JSON or other) should be integrated into the Messaging module to have interoperability more easily.
  • Add suggestions here or create a new issue under this repository.

Android Studio project structure

This Android Studio 4.0 project contains the following components:

  • app - Messaging API test application

  • doc - Additional documentation files

  • lib - Messaging API implementation

License: Apache License 2.0