controller.rb

# SIMPLE EXAMPLE OF USING PROTECTEDPLANET.NET API TO CHECK PROTECTION STATUS
# OF SPECIES LAT/LONG POINTS
# S.TOKUMINE & C.MILLS 2010
#
# Language: Ruby

class MainController < ApplicationController
  def index
    base_url = "www.protectedplanet.net"
     
    # CONNECT TO GOOGLE SPREADSHEETS
    session = GoogleSpreadsheet.login(GMAIL_USERNAME, GMAIL_PASSWORD)
    
    # GET WORKSHEET, READ DATA, CLEAN AND SORT (ABRIDGED)
    ws = session.spreadsheet_by_key(GOOGLE_SPREADSHEET_KEY).worksheets[0] 
    rows = ws.rows.dup
    rows.shift
            
    # CHECK PROTECTION WITH PROTECTEDPLANET.NET API
    rows.each_with_index do |row, i|                
      # CREATE URL        
      url = "http://protectedplanet.net/api/site_atts_by_point/#{row[3]}/#{row[2]}"        
        
      # **CALL PROTECTEDPLANET API SERVICE AND PARSE RESPONSE**
      pp = HTTParty.get(url).response.body
      pas = JSON.parse(pp)                
        
      # PACKAGE DATA
      # SEE SOURCE CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS STEP
    end        
  end
end