MediaWiki

API:Client code/Evaluations/Java Wiki Bot Framework (JWBF)

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Java Wiki Bot Framework is a Java framework, intended to make it easy to write Java bots that interact with the MediaWiki API. It handles login/logout, cookies, query continuations, and tokens, and has a range of helper methods for common tasks as well as for basic interaction with the MediaWiki API.

Particularly notable or useful features of JWBF include:

  • Designed and implemented as framework for writing bots
  • Solid codebase and a good set of features
  • Has frequently updated unit and integration tests
  • A responsive and helpful maintainer

Easy to install

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Installation instructions are correct and easy to find

N No installation instructions.

Library is packaged for installation through appropriate package library (PyPI, CPAN, npm, Maven, rubygems, etc.)

Yes Maven Central

Platinum standard: library is packaged for and made available through Linux distributions

N It is unusual to ship Java packages with Linux distributions.

Easy to understand

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Well designed--makes all intended API calls available with the intended level of abstraction with no redundancies

Yes Intended as a framework, so exposes the lower-level API calls. Also has many helper methods.

Platinum standard: makes the Wikidata API available

In progress: Basic Queries - Fast forward branch - Exchange with Wikidata Toolkit

Well documented
  • Code is commented and readable
Yes
  • Documentation is comprehensive, accurate, and easy to find
Javadoc is accurate but very incomplete.
  • Deprecated functions are clearly marked as such
Yes
  • Platinum standard: Documentation is understandable by a novice programmer
N Documentation is very sparse and does not make it easier for someone new to Java to understand the structure of the JavaDoc.
Code uses idioms appropriate to the language the library is written in

Yes Adequately written Java.

Easy to use

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Has functioning, simple, and well-written code samples for common tasks
  • Demonstrates queries
Yes
  • Demonstrates edits
Yes
Handles API complications or idiosyncrasies so the user doesn't have to
  • Login/logout
Yes
  • Cookies
Yes
  • Tokens
Yes
  • Query continuations
Yes Uses the new continue parameter for newer versions of the API.
  • Requests via https, including certificate validation
Yes Test Login with override default certificate validation
Courteous API usage is promoted through code samples and smart defaults
  • gzip compression is used by default
Yes There are tests (HttpBotTest and HttpActionClientTest) that proves that gzip is the default.
Yes
  • Platinum standard: generates a unique user-agent string given name/email address/repository location
Yes see documentation(Commit b1abbc8)
  • Efficient usage of API calls
N API calls are combined when working in multiple namespaces, but not in other ways (combining requests for multiple titles/users/etc.)[1]
Can be used with the most recent stable version of the language it is written in (e.g. Python 3 compatible)

Yes

Easy to debug

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Contains unit tests for the longest and most frequently modified functions in the library

Yes

Platinum standard: Unit tests for many code paths exist and are maintained

Yes The framework has integration tests as well.

Terrible hacks/instances of extreme cleverness are clearly marked as such in comments

Yes Comments include TODOs and comments like "not sure if this is the best way"

Documentation links to the relevant section/subpage of the API documentation

Some do, others do not.

Easy to improve

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Library maintainers are responsive and courteous, and foster a thoughtful and inclusive community of developers and users

Yes Maintainer is actively involved and helpful.

Platinum standard: Project sets clear expectations for conduct for spaces where project-related interactions occur (mailing list, IRC, repository, issue tracker). It should:
  • State desired attitudes and behaviors
  • Provide examples of unwelcome and harassing behavior
  • Specify how these expectations will be enforced

N

Pull requests are either accepted or rejected with reason within 3 weeks (Platinum standard: 3 business days)

none submitted

Issues/bugs are responded to in some manner within 3 weeks (Platinum standard: 3 business days) (but not necessarily fixed)

Yes There is usually a response within 1-2 days.

The library is updated and a new version is released within 3 weeks (Platinum standard: 3 business days) when breaking changes are made to the API

n/a

Platinum standard: library maintainers contact MediaWiki API maintainers with feedback on the API's design and function
Library specifies the license it is released under

Yes Apache 2.0

Suggested TODOs

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Code-related
  • Make efficient usage of API calls easier, possibly by creating a method that combines calls for multiple items (e.g. title1|title2|title3|...).[2]
Process-related
  • Improve documentation, especially the JavaDoc. Consistently add method and class descriptions.[3]

If these issues are addressed, Java Wiki Bot Framework will meet the gold standard and will be listed as such on API:Client code.

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