VCF Automation Blog

from Stefan Schnell

Communication with other systems is an important part of today's electronic data processing. Connections based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) plays an important role here. There are a large number of libraries to simplify their use. VCF Automation offers the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) object for this. With its methods and attributes it offers an easy way to execute HTTP requests.

VCF Automation URL Library


Here a mock-up of the URL class from VCF Automation to put http requests.

Hint: Access to the properties of the class are encapsulated in getter and setter methods. An equivalent use as in VCF Automation the properties can be used directly with a leading underscore.

Hint: The standard object URL offers limited options for using HTTP requests. The addToHeader method has therefore been added, which makes it possible to add important key value tuples to the HTTP request header, like Authorization or Accept. Do not use this method if compatibility with the standard object is required.

/**
 * Mock-up of the URL class from VMware Aria Automation.
 * Usable object to put/get http requests.
 *
 * @author Stefan Schnell <mail@stefan-schnell.de>
 * @license MIT
 * @version 0.4.0
 *
 * Hint: This mock-up works only with the Mozilla Rhino JavaScript
 * engine release 1.7.14 or higher.
 *
 * Checked with Rhino engine version 1.7.15
 *
 * @function URL
 * @param {object} url
 * @returns {object}
 *
 * @example
 * var urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
 * System.log(urlObject.getClassName());
 */

var URL = function(url) {

  // The use of sun.net.www.protocol.http.HttpURLConnection is only
  // possible from release 1.7.14.
  var rhinoVersion = System.getRhinoVersion();
  if (System.compareVersionNumber("1.7.13", rhinoVersion) === 1) {
    throw new Error(
      "This class can only be used with Rhino release 1.7.14"
    );
  }

  this._url = null;

  if (
    typeof url === "undefined" ||
    url === null ||
    String(url).trim() === ""
  ) {
    throw new Error("url argument can not be undefined or null");
  }
  try {
    if (typeof url === "string") {
      this._url = java.net.URI(url.toString()).toURL();
    } else {
      this._url = java.net.URI("http://localhost/").toURL();
    }
  } catch (exception) {
    throw new Error(exception.message);
  }

  this._contentType = "application/x-www-form-urlencoded";
  this._datas = null;
  this._host = this._url.getHost();
  this._port = this._url.getPort;
  this._requestType = "GET";
  this._receivedBuffer = null;
  this._header = [];
  this._authorization = this._url.getAuthority();
  this._responseCode = 0;
  this._responseMessage = null;

};

URL.prototype = {

  /**
   * Adds additional information to the HTTP header.<br>
   * Hint: This method is not available in standard.
   *
   * @function addToHeader
   * @param {string} key - The name of the key to add
   * @param (string} value - The value of the key
   */
  addToHeader : function(key, value) {
    var obj = {};
    obj[key] = value;
    this._header.push(obj);
  },

  /**
   * Adds a parameter (query) at the end of the URL.
   *
   * @function addParameter
   * @param {object} key - The key of the parameter
   * @param (object} value - The value of the parameter
   *
   * @example
   * var urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * urlObject.addParameter("test", "test")
   * System.log(urlObject.getUrl());
   * // http://localhost/index.php?test=test
   */
  addParameter : function(key, value) {
    if (
      typeof key === "undefined" ||
      key === null ||
      String(key).trim() === ""
    ) {
      throw new Error("key argument can not be undefined or null");
    }
    if (
      typeof value === "undefined" ||
      value === null ||
      String(value).trim() === ""
    ) {
      throw new Error("value argument can not be undefined or null");
    }
    try {
      var uri = this._url.toURI();
      var scheme = uri.getScheme();
      var userInfo = uri.getUserInfo();
      var host = uri.getHost();
      var port = uri.getPort();
      var path = uri.getPath();
      var query = uri.getQuery();
      var fragment = uri.getFragment();
      if (query === null) {
        query = String(value) + "=" + String(key);
      } else {
        query += "&" + String(value) + "=" + String(key);
      }
      this._url = new java.net.URI(
        scheme, userInfo, host, port, path, query, fragment
      ).toURL();
    } catch (exception) {
      throw new Error("Error at URL.addParameter: " + exception.message);
    }
  },

  /**
   * Adds a path to the URL.<br>
   * Hint: This method behaves differently from the standard.<br> The
   * path is actually added and not just appended to the end of the URL.
   *
   * @function addPath
   * @param {object} value - The path
   *
   * @example
   * var urlObject = new URL("http://localhost");
   * urlObject.addPath("/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.getUrl());
   * // http://localhost/index.php
   */
  addPath : function(value) {
    if (
      typeof value === "undefined" ||
      value === null ||
      String(value).trim() === ""
    ) {
      throw new Error("value argument can not be undefined or null");
    }
    try {
      var uri = this._url.toURI();
      var scheme = uri.getScheme();
      var userInfo = uri.getUserInfo();
      var host = uri.getHost();
      var port = uri.getPort();
      var path = uri.getPath();
      var query = uri.getQuery();
      var fragment = uri.getFragment();
      if (path === null) {
        path = String(value);
      } else {
        if (value.substring(0, 1) === "/") {
          path += String(value);
        } else {
          path += "/" + String(value);
        }
      }
      this._url = new java.net.URI(
        scheme, userInfo, host, port, path, query, fragment
      ).toURL();
    } catch (exception) {
      throw new Error("Error at URL.addPath: " + exception.message);
    }
  },

  /**
   * Gets or sets the authority part of the URL.<br>
   * Hint: This method is not available in standard.
   *
   * @function authorization
   */
  authorization : function(value) {
    if (
      typeof value === "undefined" ||
      value === null ||
      String(value).trim() === ""
    ) {
      return String(this._authorization);
    } else {
      this._authorization = java.lang.String(value);
    }
  },

  /**
   * Clears the HTTP header.<br>
   * Hint: This method is not available in standard.
   *
   * @function clearHeader
   */
  clearHeader : function() {
    this._header = [];
  },

  /**
   * Gets or sets the content type.
   *
   * @function contentType
   */
  contentType : function(value) {
    if (
      typeof value === "undefined" ||
      value === null ||
      String(value).trim() === ""
    ) {
      return this._contentType;
    } else {
      this._contentType = String(value);
    }
  },

  /**
   * Gets or sets the datas (content).<br>
   *
   * @function datas
   */
  datas : function(value) {
    if (
      typeof value === "undefined" ||
      value === null ||
      String(value).trim() === ""
    ) {
      return this._datas;
    } else {
      this._datas = String(value);
    }
  },

  /**
   * Deletes a key from the HTTP header.<br>
   * Hint: This method is not available in standard.
   *
   * @function deleteFromHeader
   * @param {string} key - The name of the key to delete
   */
  deleteFromHeader : function(key) {
    this._header.splice(this._header.indexOf(key), 1);
  },

  /**
   * Escapes the host if this is needed. Usually you need to escape<br>
   * IPv6 numeric addresses using brackets. If this host does not need<br>
   * to be escaped then the original is returned.
   *
   * @function escapeHost
   * @param {string} ipAddress
   * @returns {string} - the host so it can be used in URL
   *
   * @example
   * var urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.escapeHost("127.0.0.1"));
   * // [127.0.0.1]
   */
  escapeHost : function(ipAddress) {
    if (
      ipAddress.substring(0, 1) !== "[" &&
      ipAddress.substring(ipAddress.length - 1) !== "]"
    ) {
      return "[" + ipAddress + "]";
    }
  },

  /**
   * Returns the class name.<br>
   * Hint: This method is a standard.
   *
   * @function getClassName
   * @returns {string}
   *
   * @example
   * var urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.getClassName());
   * // URL
   */
  getClassName : function() {
    return "URL";
  },

  /**
   * Returns the content of the URL
   *
   * @function getContent
   * @returns {string}
   *
   * @example
   * var urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.getContent());
   * // <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC ...
   */
  getContent : function() {
    return this.postContent(null);
  },

  /**
   * Return the regex pattern string that matches any valid host name
   * or IP address.
   *
   * @function getHostnameOrIPAddressPatternStr
   * @returns {string} - String that is regular expression pattern that<br>
   *                     matches valid host name or IP address.
   */
  getHostnameOrIPAddressPatternStr : function() {
    return "(?:(?:[\\p{L}\\d](?:[\\p{L}\\d_-]{0,61}[\\p{L}\\d])?\\.)*" +
      "[\\p{L}\\d](?:[\\p{L}\\d_-]{0,61}[\\p{L}\\d])?)|(?:(?:25[0-5]|" +
      "2[0-4][0-9]|[01]?[0-9][0-9]?)\\.){3}(?:25[0-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|[01" +
      "]?[0-9][0-9]?)|(?i:(((?=(?>.*?::)(?!.*::)))(::)?([0-9A-F]{1,4}" +
      "::?){0,5}|([0-9A-F]{1,4}:){6})(\\2([0-9A-F]{1,4}(::?|((%.+)?$)" +
      ")){0,2}|((25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1[0-9]|[1-9])?[0-9])(\\.|((%.+)?$)))" +
      "{4}|[0-9A-F]{1,4}:[0-9A-F]{1,4})(?<![^:]:)(?<!\\.))(%.+)?";
  },

  /**
   * Return the regex pattern string that matches any valid host name.
   *
   * @function getHostnamePatternStr
   * @returns {string} - String that is regular expression pattern that<br>
   *                     matches valid host name.
   */
  getHostnamePatternStr : function() {
    return "(?:(?:[\\p{L}\\d](?:[\\p{L}\\d_-]{0,61}[\\p{L}\\d])?\\.)*" +
      "[\\p{L}\\d](?:[\\p{L}\\d_-]{0,61}[\\p{L}\\d])?)";
  },

  /**
   * String that is regular expression pattern that matches valid<br>
   * IP address.
   *
   * @function getIPAddressPatternStr
   * @returns {string} - String that is regular expression pattern that<br>
   *                     matches valid IP address.
   */
  getIPAddressPatternStr : function() {
    return "(?:(?:25[0-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|[01]?[0-9][0-9]?)\\.){3}(?:25[0" +
      "-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|[01]?[0-9][0-9]?)|(?i:(((?=(?>.*?::)(?!.*::)))" +
      "(::)?([0-9A-F]{1,4}::?){0,5}|([0-9A-F]{1,4}:){6})(\\2([0-9A-F]" +
      "{1,4}(::?|((%.+)?$))){0,2}|((25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1[0-9]|[1-9])?[0-" +
      "9])(\\.|((%.+)?$))){4}|[0-9A-F]{1,4}:[0-9A-F]{1,4})(?<![^:]:)(" +
      "?<!\\.))(%.+)?";
  },

  /**
   * Return the regex pattern string that matches any valid IPv4 address.
   *
   * @function getIPv4AddressPatternStr
   * @returns {string} - String that is regular expression pattern that<br>
   *                     matches valid IPv4 address.
   */
  getIPv4AddressPatternStr : function() {
    return "(?:(?:25[0-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|[01]?[0-9][0-9]?)\\.){3}(?:25[0" +
      "-5]|2[0-4][0-9]|[01]?[0-9][0-9]?)";
  },

  /**
   * Return the regex pattern string that matches any valid IPv6 address.
   *
   * @function getIPv6AddressPatternStr
   * @returns {string} - String that is regular expression pattern that<br>
   *                     matches valid IPv6 address.
   */
  getIPv6AddressPatternStr : function() {
    return "(?i:(((?=(?>.*?::)(?!.*::)))(::)?([0-9A-F]{1,4}::?){0,5}|" +
      "([0-9A-F]{1,4}:){6})(\\2([0-9A-F]{1,4}(::?|((%.+)?$))){0,2}|((" +
      "25[0-5]|(2[0-4]|1[0-9]|[1-9])?[0-9])(\\.|((%.+)?$))){4}|[0-9A-" +
      "F]{1,4}:[0-9A-F]{1,4})(?<![^:]:)(?<!\\.))(%.+)?";
  },

  /**
   * Returns the host.
   *
   * @function host
   */
  host : function() {
    if (this._host !== null) {
      return this._host;
    }
  },

  /**
   * Checks if the parameter is valid host name.
   *
   * @function isValidHostname
   * @param {string} hostname
   * @returns {boolean} - true if address is valid host name
   *
   * @example
   * urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.isValidHostname("www.myhost.com"));
   * // true
   */
  isValidHostname : function(hostname) {
    if (
      typeof hostname === "undefined" ||
      hostname === null ||
      String(hostname).trim() === ""
    ) {
      throw new Error("hostname argument can not be undefined or null");
    }
    var HOSTNAME_PATTERN =
      java.util.regex.Pattern.compile(this.getHostnamePatternStr(), 2);
    return HOSTNAME_PATTERN.matcher(hostname).matches();
  },

  /**
   * Checks if the parameter is valid host name or IP address<br>
   * (both IPv4 and IPv6).
   *
   * @function isValidHostnameOrIPAddress
   * @param {string} hostOrIP
   * @returns {boolean} - true if address is valid host name or IP address
   */
  isValidHostnameOrIPAddress : function(hostOrIP) {
    if (
      typeof hostOrIP === "undefined" ||
      hostOrIP === null ||
      String(hostOrIP).trim() === ""
    ) {
      throw new Error("hostOrIP argument can not be undefined or null");
    }
    var  HOSTNAME_OR_IP_PATTERN =
      java.util.regex.Pattern.compile(
        this.getHostnameOrIPAddressPatternStr(), 2
      );
    return HOSTNAME_OR_IP_PATTERN.matcher(hostOrIP).matches();
  },

  /**
   * Checks if the parameter is valid IP address (both IPv4 and IPv6).
   *
   * @function isValidIPAddress
   * @param {string} ipAddress
   * @returns {boolean} - true if address is valid IP address
   *
   * @example
   * urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.isValidIPAddress("127.0.0.1"));
   * // true
   */
  isValidIPAddress : function(ipAddress) {
    if (
      typeof ipAddress === "undefined" ||
      ipAddress === null ||
      String(ipAddress).trim() === ""
    ) {
      throw new Error("ipAddress argument can not be undefined or null");
    }
    var IP_PATTERN =
      java.util.regex.Pattern.compile(this.getIPAddressPatternStr(), 2);
    return IP_PATTERN.matcher(ipAddress).matches();
  },

  /**
   * Checks if the parameter is valid IPv4 address.
   *
   * @function isValidIPv4Address
   * @param {string} ipAddress
   * @returns {boolean} - true if address is valid IPv4 address
   *
   * @example
   * urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.isValidIPv4Address("127.0.0.1"));
   * // true
   */
  isValidIPv4Address : function(ipAddress) {
    if (
      typeof ipAddress === "undefined" ||
      ipAddress === null ||
      String(ipAddress).trim() === ""
    ) {
      throw new Error("ipAddress argument can not be undefined or null");
    }
    var IPV4_PATTERN =
      java.util.regex.Pattern.compile(this.getIPv4AddressPatternStr(), 2);
    return IPV4_PATTERN.matcher(ipAddress).matches();
  },

  /**
   * Checks if the parameter is valid IPv6 address.
   *
   * @function isValidIPv6Address
   * @param {string} ipAddress
   * @returns {boolean} - true if address is valid IPv6 address
   *
   * @example
   * urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.isValidIPv6Address("::FFFF:10.2.4.1"));
   * // true
   */
  isValidIPv6Address : function(ipAddress) {
    if (
      typeof ipAddress === "undefined" ||
      ipAddress === null ||
      String(ipAddress).trim() === ""
    ) {
      throw new Error("ipAddress argument can not be undefined or null");
    }
    var IPV6_PATTERN =
      java.util.regex.Pattern.compile(this.getIPv6AddressPatternStr(), 2);
    return IPV6_PATTERN.matcher(ipAddress).matches();
  },

  /**
   * Returns the port.
   *
   * @function port
   */
  port : function() {
    if (this._port !== null) {
      return this._port;
    }
  },

  /**
   * Posts the content defined in the datas property to the URL.
   *
   * @function post
   * @returns {string}
   *
   * @example
   * var urlObject = new URL("http://127.0.0.1:3000");
   * urlObject.setRequestType("POST");
   * urlObject.setContentType("application/json");
   * urlObject.setDatas("{\"attributes\":{\"hostname\":\"localhost\"}}");
   * var post = urlObject.post();
   */
  post : function() {
    return this.postContent(this._datas);
  },

  /**
   * Posts the content to the URL.
   *
   * @function postContent
   * @param {object} content - The content
   * @returns {string}
   *
   * @example
   * var urlObject = new URL("http://127.0.0.1:3000");
   * urlObject.setRequestType("POST");
   * urlObject.setContentType("application/json");
   * var content = "{\"attributes\":{\"ipaddress\":\"127.0.0.1\"}}";
   * var postContent = urlObject.postContent(content);
   */
  postContent : function(content) {

    this._receivedBuffer = new java.lang.StringBuffer();
    var urlConnection;
    var input;

    try {

      urlConnection = this._url.openConnection();
      // java.net.HttpURLConnection is an abstract class, and
      // sun.net.www.protocol.http.HttpURLConnection is the
      // implementation in the Oracle JRE, which is used here.
      urlConnection.setRequestMethod(this._requestType);
      urlConnection.setDoInput(true);
      urlConnection.setDoOutput((content != null));
      urlConnection.setUseCaches(false);
      urlConnection.setRequestProperty("Content-Type", this._contentType);

      // Set additional header
      this._header.forEach( function(headerItem) {
        for (var key in headerItem) {
          urlConnection.setRequestProperty(key, headerItem[key]);
        }
      });

      // Set authorization
      if (this._authorization != null) {
        var headerAuthorization = 
          java.util.Base64.getEncoder().encodeToString(
            (this._authorization.split("@")[0]).getBytes("UTF-8")
          );
        urlConnection.setRequestProperty(
          "Authorization", "Basic " + headerAuthorization
        );
      }

      if (content != null) {
        var printout =
          java.io.DataOutputStream(urlConnection.getOutputStream());
        try {
          printout.writeBytes(content);
          printout.flush();
        } finally {
          printout.close();
        } 
      }

      this._responseCode = Number(urlConnection.getResponseCode());
      this._responseMessage = String(urlConnection.getResponseMessage());

      input = java.io.DataInputStream(urlConnection.getInputStream());
      var bufferedReader = null;
      try {
        bufferedReader = new java.io.BufferedReader(
          new java.io.InputStreamReader(input)
        );
        var line = null;
        while((line = bufferedReader.readLine()) !== null) {
          this._receivedBuffer.append(line + "\n");
        }
      } finally {
        if (bufferedReader !== null) {
          bufferedReader.close();
        }
      }

    } catch (exception) {
      throw new Error("Error at URL.postContent: " + exception.message);

    } finally {
      if (input != null) {
        input.close();
      }
      if (urlConnection != null) {
        urlConnection.disconnect();
      }
    }

    return String(this._receivedBuffer.toString());

  },

  /**
   * Gets or sets the request type (GET, PUT, POST or DELETE).
   *
   * @function requestType
   */
  requestType : function(value) {
    if (
      typeof value === "undefined" ||
      value === null ||
      String(value).trim() === ""
    ) {
      return this._requestType;
    } else {
      this._requestType = value;
    }
  },

  /**
   * Returns the response code of the last http request.<br>
   * Hint: This method is not available in standard.
   *
   * @function responseCode
   */
  responseCode : function() {
    return this._responseCode;
  },

  /**
   * Returns the response message of the last http request.<br>
   * Hint: This method is not available in standard.
   *
   * @function responseMessage
   */
  responseMessage : function() {
    return this._responseMessage;
  },

  /**
   * Returns the result.<br>
   *
   * @function result
   */
  result : function() {
    if (this._receivedBuffer !== null) {
      return String(this._receivedBuffer);
    } else {
      return null;
    }
  },

  /**
   * Un-escapes the host if this is IPv6 address in brackets. Usually<br>
   * you need to escape IPv6 numeric addresses using brackets but some<br>
   * times you need the plain IPv6 address. If this is not escaped<br>
   * IPv6 address the original is returned.
   *
   * @function unescapeHost
   * @param {string} ipAddress
   * @returns {string} - the host so it can be used in URL
   *
   * @example
   * urlObject = new URL("http://localhost/index.php");
   * System.log(urlObject.unescapeHost("[127.0.0.1]"));
   * // 127.0.0.1
   */
  unescapeHost : function(ipAddress) {
    if (
      ipAddress.substring(0, 1) === "[" &&
      ipAddress.substring(ipAddress.length - 1) === "]"
    ) {
      return ipAddress.substring(1, ipAddress.length - 1);
    }
  },

  /**
   * Returns the URL in the form of a String.
   *
   * @function url
   */
  url : function() {
    if (this._url !== null) {
      return String(this._url);
    }
  }

};

Example how to use the Standard Class


/**
 * Get access token in the VMware HOL with a POST request.
 */

const url = new URL(
  "https://auto.vcf.sddc.lab/csp/gateway/am/api/login?access_token"
);
url.requestType = "POST";
url.contentType = "application/json";
const content =
  "{\"username\":\"holadmin@vcf.holo.lab\",\"password\":\"VMware123!\"}";
const result = url.postContent(content);
System.log(result);

vcf automation action