Table Of Contents
Table Of Contents

Add a REST API

Last Updated: May 2020

In this tutorial you will add a REST API endpoint to the Earth Engine app. The REST API will provide a programmatic access point to the underlying get_time_series_from_image_collection method. This is the same method that is used retrieve the time series for the plot at an area of interest capability of the Viewer page. Topics covered in this tutorial include:

../../../_images/rest_api_solution.png

0. Start From Previous Solution (Optional)

If you wish to use the previous solution as a starting point:

git clone https://github.com/tethysplatform/tethysapp-earth_engine.git
cd tethysapp-earth_engine
git checkout -b clip-by-asset-solution clip-by-asset-solution-3.4

1. Reorganize Controller Functions into Separate Files

The controllers.py file is beginning to get quite long. To make the controller code more manageable, in this step you will refactor the controllers into several files.

  1. Create a new folder called controllers in the earth_engine directory with the following new empty Python modules in it:

    • controllers/
      • __init__.py

      • home.py

      • viewer.py

      • rest.py

    Note

    A folder with a file named __init__.py is called a Python package.

    Warning

    If you are using PyCharm, make sure it doesn't add an __init__.py file in the tethysapp directory. This will cause this app or other apps to stop working when installed in Tethys Platform.

  2. Copy the home and about controller functions, with any imports they need into the new controllers/home.py module:

import logging
from django.shortcuts import render
from tethys_sdk.permissions import login_required

log = logging.getLogger(f'tethys.apps.{__name__}')


@login_required()
def home(request):
    """
    Controller for the app home page.
    """
    context = {}
    return render(request, 'earth_engine/home.html', context)


@login_required()
def about(request):
    """
    Controller for the app about page.
    """
    context = {}
    return render(request, 'earth_engine/about.html', context)
  1. Copy the viewer, get_image_collection, get_time_series_plot, and handle_shapefile_upload controller functions with any imports they need into the new controllers/viewer.py module:

import os
import tempfile
import zipfile
import logging
import datetime as dt
import geojson
import ee
import shapefile
from django.http import JsonResponse, HttpResponseNotAllowed, HttpResponseRedirect
from django.shortcuts import render
from simplejson.errors import JSONDecodeError
from tethys_sdk.gizmos import SelectInput, DatePicker, Button, MapView, MVView, PlotlyView, MVDraw
from tethys_sdk.permissions import login_required
from tethys_sdk.workspaces import user_workspace
from ..helpers import generate_figure, find_shapefile, write_boundary_shapefile, prep_boundary_dir
from ..gee.methods import get_image_collection_asset, get_time_series_from_image_collection, upload_shapefile_to_gee, \
    get_boundary_fc_props_for_user
from ..gee.products import EE_PRODUCTS

log = logging.getLogger(f'tethys.apps.{__name__}')
@login_required()
@user_workspace
def viewer(request, user_workspace):
    """
    Controller for the app viewer page.
    """

    ...  # Code not shown for brevity

    return render(request, 'earth_engine/viewer.html', context)


@login_required()
def get_image_collection(request):
    """
    Controller to handle image collection requests.
    """

    ...  # Code not shown for brevity

    return JsonResponse(response_data)


@login_required()
def get_time_series_plot(request):

    ...  # Code not shown for brevity

    return render(request, 'earth_engine/plot.html', context)

def handle_shapefile_upload(request, user_workspace):
    """
    Uploads shapefile to Google Earth Engine as an Asset.

    Args:
        request (django.Request): the request object.
        user_workspace (tethys_sdk.workspaces.Workspace): the User workspace object.

    Returns:
        str: Error string if errors occurred.
    """
    ... # Code not shown for brevity
  1. Update the UrlMaps in app.py to point to the new locations of the controllers:

    def url_maps(self):
    """
    Add controllers
    """
    UrlMap = url_map_maker(self.root_url)

    url_maps = (
        UrlMap(
            name='home',
            url='earth-engine',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.home.home'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='about',
            url='earth-engine/about',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.home.about'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='viewer',
            url='earth-engine/viewer',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.viewer.viewer'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='get_image_collection',
            url='earth-engine/viewer/get-image-collection',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.viewer.get_image_collection'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='get_time_series_plot',
            url='earth-engine/viewer/get-time-series-plot',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.viewer.get_time_series_plot'
        ),
    )

    return url_maps
  1. Delete the old controllers.py file.

  2. Navigate to http://localhost:8000/apps/earth-engine/ and verify that the app functions as it did before the change.

2. Create New UrlMap and Controller for REST API Endpoint

REST endpoints are similar to normal controllers. The primary difference is that they typically return data using JSON or XML format instead of HTML. In this step you will create a new controller function and UrlMap for the REST endpoint.

  1. Create a new controller function named get_time_series in controllers/rest.py with the following contents:

import logging
from django.http import JsonResponse
from rest_framework.authentication import TokenAuthentication
from rest_framework.decorators import api_view, authentication_classes

log = logging.getLogger(f'tethys.apps.{__name__}')


@api_view(['GET', 'POST'])
@authentication_classes((TokenAuthentication,))
def get_time_series(request):
    """
    Controller for the get-time-series REST endpoint.
    """
    response_data = {
        "detail": "Hello, World!"
    }
    return JsonResponse(response_data)

Tip

Tethys includes the Django REST Framework to aid with the token authentication capability (i.e. api_view() and authentication_classes() decorators). It is quite a capable extension for Django websites and is worth investigating if you plan to make a large, stand alone REST API.

  1. Add a new UrlMap for the get_time_series controller to app.py:

def url_maps(self):
    """
    Add controllers
    """
    UrlMap = url_map_maker(self.root_url)

    url_maps = (
        UrlMap(
            name='home',
            url='earth-engine',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.home.home'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='about',
            url='earth-engine/about',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.home.about'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='viewer',
            url='earth-engine/viewer',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.viewer.viewer'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='get_image_collection',
            url='earth-engine/viewer/get-image-collection',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.viewer.get_image_collection'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='get_time_series_plot',
            url='earth-engine/viewer/get-time-series-plot',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.viewer.get_time_series_plot'
        ),
        UrlMap(
            name='rest_get_time_series',
            url='earth-engine/api/get-time-series',
            controller='earth_engine.controllers.rest.get_time_series'
        ),
    )

    return url_maps
  1. Navigate to http://localhost:8000/apps/earth-engine/api/get-time-series/. You should see an API page that is auto generated by the Django REST Framework titled Get Time Series. The page should display an HTTP 401 Unauthorized error and display a result object with detail "Authentication credentials were not provided."

3. Test with Postman Application

Most web browsers are surprisingly limited when it comes to testing REST APIs. The reason the test in the previous step resulted in a 401 Unauthorized is because we sent a request without an authentication token. To more easily test this, you'll want to get a REST client that will allow you to set request headers and parameters. In this tutorial you will use the Postman client to test the REST API as you develop it.

  1. If you have not done so already, download and install the Postman app and then launch it.

  2. In Postman click on the New button and select Collection.

  3. Name the collection "Earth Engine App API" and press the Create button.

  4. Right-click on the new Earth Engine App API collection or click on it's "..." button and select Add Request.

  5. Name the new request "get-time-series" and press the Save to Earth Engine App API button.

  6. From the menu on the left, expand the Earth Engine App API collection and click on the get-time-series request to open it in a new tab.

  7. Select GET as the method and enter "http://localhost:8000/apps/earth-engine/api/get-time-series/" in the URL field.

  8. Press the Save button to save changes.

  9. Press the Send button. You should see the same response object as before with the "Authentication credentials were not provided." message.

4. Add Token Authorization Headers to Postman Request

In this step you will retrieve the API token for your user account and set authentication headers on the request.

  1. Navigate to http://localhost:8000/apps/ and sign in if necessary.

  2. Click on the button with your username on it in the top-right-hand corner of the page to access your user profile.

  3. Copy the value of the API Key.

  4. In Postman, click on the Authorization tab, just under the URL field.

  5. Select "API Key" as the TYPE and enter the "Authorization" for the Key and "Token <your token>" for the value (replace <your token> with the token you copied).

  6. Press the Send button again. This time the request should be sent with the proper authorization token. You should see a response object with the "Hello, World!" message.

  7. Press the Save button to save your changes to the Postman request.

5. Define Parameters for REST API

In this step you'll define the parameters that the REST endpoint will accept. If you think of the REST endpoint as a function, then the parameters are like the arguments to the function. The controller will be configured to work with both the GET and POST methods for illustration purposes.

  1. Update the get_time_series controller in controllers/rest.py as follows:

from django.http import HttpResponseBadRequest
@api_view(['GET', 'POST'])
@authentication_classes((TokenAuthentication,))
def get_time_series(request):
    """
    Controller for the get-time-series REST endpoint.
    """
    # Get request parameters.
    if request.method == 'GET':
        data = request.GET.copy()
    elif request.method == 'POST':
        data = request.POST.copy()
    else:
        return HttpResponseBadRequest('Only GET and POST methods are supported.')

    platform = data.get('platform', None)
    sensor = data.get('sensor', None)
    product = data.get('product', None)
    start_date_str = data.get('start_date', None)
    end_date_str = data.get('end_date', None)
    reducer = data.get('reducer', 'median')
    index = data.get('index', None)
    scale_str = data.get('scale', 250)
    orient = data.get('orient', 'list')
    geometry_str = data.get('geometry', None)

    # compose response object.
    response_data = {
        'parameters': {
            'platform': platform,
            'sensor': sensor,
            'product': product,
            'index': index,
            'start_date': start_date_str,
            'end_date': end_date_str,
            'reducer': reducer,
            'geometry': geometry_str
        }
    }

    return JsonResponse(response_data)
  1. In Postman, select the Params tab.

  2. Click on the Bulk Edit link on the right and enter the following:

platform:modis
sensor:terra
product:temperature
start_date:2020-02-15
end_date:2020-04-14
reducer:mean
//index:NDVI
geometry:{"type":"GeometryCollection","geometries":[{"type":"Point","coordinates":[36.112060546875,-0.03295898255728957],"properties":{"id":"drawing_layer.79c08238-4084-4825-9e76-f018527d45b7"},"crs":{"type":"link","properties":{"href":"http://spatialreference.org/ref/epsg/4326/proj4/","type":"proj4"}}},{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.749267578125,0.1867672473697155],[36.6943359375,-0.043945308191354115],[36.99096679687499,-0.043945308191354115],[36.9140625,0.1757809742470755],[36.749267578125,0.1867672473697155]]],"properties":{"id":"drawing_layer.ffa36dfd-5767-4946-890b-f4c0d9c0ff9f"},"crs":{"type":"link","properties":{"href":"http://spatialreference.org/ref/epsg/4326/proj4/","type":"proj4"}}}]}
orient:series
scale:250
  1. Click on the Key-Value Edit link on the right. Notice how the Query Params key-value form is populated with values. Also, notice that the same parameters are added to the URL as query parameters (i.e. ?key1=value1&key2=value2).

    Note

    The index parameter should be unchecked / disabled.

  2. Press the Send button and verify that the parameters are returned in the response object.

  3. Press the Save button to save your changes to the Postman request.

6. Validate Platform, Sensor, Product, and Index

In this step you'll add the validation logic for the platform, sensor, product, and index parameters. The REST endpoint is like a function shared publicly on the internet--anyone can call it with whatever parameters they want. This includes bots that may try to exploit your website through its REST endpoints. Be sure to only allow valid values through and provide helpful feedback for users of the REST API.

  1. Modify the get_time_series controller in controllers/rest.py to add validation for the platform, sensor, product, and index parameters as follows:

from ..gee.products import EE_PRODUCTS
@api_view(['GET', 'POST'])
@authentication_classes((TokenAuthentication,))
def get_time_series(request):
    """
    Controller for the get-time-series REST endpoint.
    """
    # Get request parameters.
    if request.method == 'GET':
        data = request.GET.copy()
    elif request.method == 'POST':
        data = request.POST.copy()
    else:
        return HttpResponseBadRequest('Only GET and POST methods are supported.')

    platform = data.get('platform', None)
    sensor = data.get('sensor', None)
    product = data.get('product', None)
    start_date_str = data.get('start_date', None)
    end_date_str = data.get('end_date', None)
    reducer = data.get('reducer', 'median')
    index = data.get('index', None)
    scale_str = data.get('scale', 250)
    orient = data.get('orient', 'list')
    geometry_str = data.get('geometry', None)

    # validate given parameters
    # platform
    if not platform or platform not in EE_PRODUCTS:
        valid_platform_str = '", "'.join(EE_PRODUCTS.keys())
        return HttpResponseBadRequest(f'The "platform" parameter is required. Valid platforms '
                                      f'include: "{valid_platform_str}".')

    # sensors
    if not sensor or sensor not in EE_PRODUCTS[platform]:
        valid_sensor_str = '", "'.join(EE_PRODUCTS[platform].keys())
        return HttpResponseBadRequest(f'The "sensor" parameter is required. Valid sensors for the "{platform}" '
                                      f'platform include: "{valid_sensor_str}".')

    # product
    if not product or product not in EE_PRODUCTS[platform][sensor]:
        valid_product_str = '", "'.join(EE_PRODUCTS[platform][sensor].keys())
        return HttpResponseBadRequest(f'The "product" parameter is required. Valid products for the "{platform} '
                                      f'{sensor}" sensor include: "{valid_product_str}".')

    selected_product = EE_PRODUCTS[platform][sensor][product]

    # index
    # if index not provided, get default index from product properties
    if not index:
        index = selected_product['index']

    # if index is still None (not defined for the product) it is not supported currently
    if index is None:
        return HttpResponseBadRequest(
            f'Retrieving time series for "{platform} {sensor} {product}" is not supported at this time.'
        )

    # compose response object.
    response_data = {
        'parameters': {
            'platform': platform,
            'sensor': sensor,
            'product': product,
            'index': index,
            'start_date': start_date_str,
            'end_date': end_date_str,
            'reducer': reducer,
            'geometry': geometry_str
        }
    }

    return JsonResponse(response_data)
  1. In Postman, select the Params tab if not already active.

  2. Uncheck all of the parameters so that they are not included in the request.

  3. Press the Send button and verify that the status code 400 Bad Request is returned (see top-right side of the response section) and the validation message for the platform parameter is returned.

  4. Add the platform parameter to the request by checking the box next to it.

  5. Press the Send button and verify that the status code 400 Bad Request is returned (see top-right side of the response section) and the validation message for the sensor parameter is returned.

  6. Change the value of the platform parameter to "landsat" or "sentinel" and verify that the validation message for the sensor parameter lists the appropriate sensors.

  7. Change the platform parameter back to "modis".

  8. Repeat this process, adding first the sensor parameter, then the product parameter to confirm that the validation logic is working as expected.

7. Validate Dates

In this step you'll add the validation logic for the start_date and end_date parameters. There is logic that already exists in the viewer controller that you can use to validate the date parameters in our REST API function. However, you should avoid copying code to prevent duplicating bugs and make the app easier to maintain. Instead, you will generalize the bit of code from the viewer controller into a helper function and then use that function in both the viewer controller and the get_time_series controller.

  1. Create a new helper function called compute_dates_for_product in helpers.py with contents based on the validation logic for dates in the viewer controller:

import datetime as dt
def compute_dates_for_product(product_dict):
    """
    Compute default dates and date range for given product.

    Args:
        product_dict (dict): The product dictionary from EE_PRODUCTS

    Returns:
        dict<default_start_date,default_end_date,beg_valid_date_range,end_valid_date_range>: dict with date strings formatted: %Y-%m-%d.
    """
    # Hardcode initial end date to today (since all of our datasets extend to present)
    today = dt.datetime.today()
    default_end_date = today.strftime('%Y-%m-%d')

    # Initial start date will a set number of days before the end date
    # NOTE: This assumes the start date of the dataset is at least 30+ days prior to today
    default_end_date_dt = dt.datetime.strptime(default_end_date, '%Y-%m-%d')
    default_start_date_dt = default_end_date_dt - dt.timedelta(days=30)
    default_start_date = default_start_date_dt.strftime('%Y-%m-%d')

    # Get valid date range for product
    beg_valid_date_range = product_dict.get('start_date', None)
    end_valid_date_range = product_dict.get('end_date', None) or default_end_date

    product_dates = {
        'default_start_date': default_start_date,
        'default_end_date': default_end_date,
        'beg_valid_date_range': beg_valid_date_range,
        'end_valid_date_range': end_valid_date_range
    }

    return product_dates

Tip

Compare this function with similar logic in the viewer controller. Many of the variables have been renamed to make it more general, but the functionality is mostly the same.

  1. Import the new compute_dates_for_product helper function and then refactor the viewer controller in controllers/viewer.py` to use the new compute_dates_for_product helper function. Replace all of the previous date logic in the viewer controller starting with the line with comment # Hardcode initial end date ... and ending with the end_date DatePicker:

from ..helpers import compute_dates_for_product
# Get initial default dates and date ranges for date picker controls
first_product_dates = compute_dates_for_product(first_product)

start_date = DatePicker(
    name='start_date',
    display_text='Start Date',
    format='yyyy-mm-dd',
    start_view='decade',
    today_button=True,
    today_highlight=True,
    start_date=first_product_dates['beg_valid_date_range'],
    end_date=first_product_dates['end_valid_date_range'],
    initial=first_product_dates['default_start_date'],
    autoclose=True
)

end_date = DatePicker(
    name='end_date',
    display_text='End Date',
    format='yyyy-mm-dd',
    start_view='decade',
    today_button=True,
    today_highlight=True,
    start_date=first_product_dates['beg_valid_date_range'],
    end_date=first_product_dates['end_valid_date_range'],
    initial=first_product_dates['default_end_date'],
    autoclose=True
)
  1. Modify the get_time_series controller in controllers/rest.py to also use the compute_dates_for_product helper function as part of it's validation for the start_date and end_date parameters. Replace the response_data object with the following:

import datetime as dt
from ..helpers import compute_dates_for_product
# get valid dates for selected product
product_dates = compute_dates_for_product(selected_product)

# assign default start date if not provided
if not start_date_str:
    start_date_str = product_dates['default_start_date']

# assign default start date if not provided
if not end_date_str:
    end_date_str = product_dates['default_end_date']

# convert to datetime objects for validation
try:
    start_date_dt = dt.datetime.strptime(start_date_str, '%Y-%m-%d')
    end_date_dt = dt.datetime.strptime(end_date_str, '%Y-%m-%d')
except ValueError:
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(
        'Invalid date format. Please use "YYYY-MM-DD".'
    )

beg_valid_date_range = dt.datetime.strptime(product_dates['beg_valid_date_range'], '%Y-%m-%d')
end_valid_date_range = dt.datetime.strptime(product_dates['end_valid_date_range'], '%Y-%m-%d')

# start_date in valid range
if start_date_dt < beg_valid_date_range or start_date_dt > end_valid_date_range:
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(
        f'The date {start_date_str} is not a valid "start_date" for "{platform} {sensor} {product}". '
        f'It must occur between {product_dates["beg_valid_date_range"]} '
        f'and {product_dates["end_valid_date_range"]}.'
    )

# end_date in valid range
if end_date_dt < beg_valid_date_range or end_date_dt > end_valid_date_range:
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(
        f'The date {end_date_str} is not a valid "end_date" for "{platform} {sensor} {product}". '
        f'It must occur between {product_dates["beg_valid_date_range"]} '
        f'and {product_dates["end_valid_date_range"]}.'
    )

# start_date before end_date
if start_date_dt > end_date_dt:
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(
        f'The "start_date" must occur before the "end_date". Dates given: '
        f'start_date = {start_date_str}; end_date = {end_date_str}.'
    )

# compose response object.
response_data = {
    'parameters': {
        'platform': platform,
        'sensor': sensor,
        'product': product,
        'index': index,
        'start_date': start_date_str,
        'end_date': end_date_str,
        'reducer': reducer,
        'geometry': geometry_str
    }
}
  1. Use Postman to send a request with only the platform, sensor, and product parameters. Ensure that the values given for the enabled parameters are valid. Verify that end_date is returned as today's date and that the start_date is 30 days prior to today's date.

  2. Add the start_date parameter and send another request. Verify that the same date sent is returned as the start_date.

  3. Add the end_date parameter and send another request. Verify that the same date sent is returned as the end_date.

  4. Also test different values for dates to test the following scenarios:

    • start_date == end_date

    • start_date > end_date

    • start_date outside of valid range of selected product (see gee/products.py)

    • end_date outside of valid range of selected product (see gee/products.py)

    • start_date and end_date outside of valid range of selected product (see gee/products.py)

    • Incorrect date format given for either date parameter

8. Validate Reducer, Orient, and Scale

In this step you'll add the validation logic for the reducer, orient, and scale parameters. The reducer and orient parameters each have a short list of valid options and the scale parameter needs to be a number.

  1. Modify the get_time_series controller in controllers/rest.py to add validation for the reducer, orient, and scale parameters. Replace the response_data object with the following:

# reducer
valid_reducers = ('median', 'mosaic', 'mode', 'mean', 'min', 'max', 'sum', 'count', 'product')
if reducer not in valid_reducers:
    valid_reducer_str = '", "'.join(valid_reducers)
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(
        f'The value "{reducer}" is not valid for parameter "reducer". '
        f'Must be one of: "{valid_reducer_str}". Defaults to "median" '
        f'if not given.'
    )

# orient
valid_orient_vals = ('dict', 'list', 'series', 'split', 'records', 'index')
if orient not in valid_orient_vals:
    valid_orient_str = '", "'.join(valid_orient_vals)
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(
        f'The value "{orient}" is not valid for parameter "orient". '
        f'Must be one of: "{valid_orient_str}". Defaults to "dict" '
        f'if not given.'
    )

# scale
try:
    scale = float(scale_str)
except ValueError:
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(
        f'The "scale" parameter must be a valid number, but "{scale_str}" was given.'
    )

# compose response object.
response_data = {
    'parameters': {
        'platform': platform,
        'sensor': sensor,
        'product': product,
        'index': index,
        'start_date': start_date_str,
        'end_date': end_date_str,
        'reducer': reducer,
        'orient': orient,
        'scale': scale,
        'geometry_str': geometry_str
    }
}
  1. Use Postman to send a request with only the platform, sensor, product, start_date and end_date parameters. Ensure that the values given for the enabled parameters are valid. Verify that the default values for reducer, orient, and scale are returned.

  2. Add the reducer parameter with an invalid value (e.g. foo). Verify that the validation message is displayed and lists valid values for reducer.

  3. Change reducer to a valid value other than the default (e.g.: mean). Verify this value is returned.

  4. Add the orient parameter with an invalid value (e.g. foo). Verify that the validation message is displayed and lists valid values for orient.

  5. Change orient to a valid value other than the default (e.g.: series). Verify this value is returned.

  6. Add the scale parameter with a non-numeric value (e.g.: foo). Verify that the validation message is displayed for scale.

  7. Change scale to a valid value other than the default (e.g.: 150). Verify this value is returned.

9. Validate Geometry

In this step you'll add the logic to validate the geometry parameter, which should be valid GeoJSON. An optimistic strategy will be used in which an attempt will be made to convert the string into a GeoJSON object. If it fails, then the given string is not valid GeoJSON and an error will be returned.

  1. Modify the get_time_series controller in controllers/rest.py to add validation for the geometry parameter. Replace the response_data object with the following:

import geojson
from simplejson import JSONDecodeError
# geometry
bad_geometry_msg = 'The "geometry" parameter is required and must be a valid geojson string.'
if not geometry_str:
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(bad_geometry_msg)

try:
    geometry = geojson.loads(geometry_str)
except JSONDecodeError:
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(bad_geometry_msg)

# compose response object.
response_data = {
    'parameters': {
        'platform': platform,
        'sensor': sensor,
        'product': product,
        'index': index,
        'start_date': start_date_str,
        'end_date': end_date_str,
        'reducer': reducer,
        'orient': orient,
        'scale': scale,
        'geometry': geometry
    }
}
  1. Use Postman to send a request with only the platform, sensor, product, start_date, end_date, reducer, orient, and scale parameters. Ensure that the values given for the enabled parameters are valid. Verify that a message indicating that the geometry parameter is required is returned.

  2. Add the geometry parameter with an invalid value (e.g. foo). Verify that the validation message is displayed and indicates that the geometry parameter must be GeoJSON.

  3. Change geometry to the following and verify this value is returned:

{"type":"GeometryCollection","geometries":[{"type":"Point","coordinates":[36.112060546875,-0.03295898255728957],"properties":{"id":"drawing_layer.79c08238-4084-4825-9e76-f018527d45b7"},"crs":{"type":"link","properties":{"href":"http://spatialreference.org/ref/epsg/4326/proj4/","type":"proj4"}}},{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.749267578125,0.1867672473697155],[36.6943359375,-0.043945308191354115],[36.99096679687499,-0.043945308191354115],[36.9140625,0.1757809742470755],[36.749267578125,0.1867672473697155]]],"properties":{"id":"drawing_layer.ffa36dfd-5767-4946-890b-f4c0d9c0ff9f"},"crs":{"type":"link","properties":{"href":"http://spatialreference.org/ref/epsg/4326/proj4/","type":"proj4"}}}]}

Important

When pasting the geometry value from above, ensure that there are no new lines / returns after (i.e. press Backspace after pasting).

10. Reuse Existing Helper Function to Get Time Series

With the parameters properly vetted, you are now ready to call the get_time_series_from_image_collection function. It should be a fairly straightforward call of the function, mapping the REST parameters to the arguments of the function. You will need to make a few minor changes to the function, however, to accommodate the new orient option.

  1. Refactor the get_time_series_from_image_collection function in gee/methods.py to accept the orient argument by replacing the function with this new definition:

def get_time_series_from_image_collection(platform, sensor, product, index_name, scale=30, geometry=None,
                                          date_from=None, date_to=None, reducer='median', orient='df'):
    """
    Derive time series at given geometry.
    """
    time_series = []
    ee_product = EE_PRODUCTS[platform][sensor][product]
    collection_name = ee_product['collection']

    if not isinstance(geometry, geojson.GeometryCollection):
        raise ValueError('Geometry must be a valid GeoJSON GeometryCollection.')

    for geom in geometry.geometries:
        log.debug(f'Computing Time Series for Geometry of Type: {geom.type}')

        try:
            ee_geometry = None
            if isinstance(geom, geojson.Polygon):
                ee_geometry = ee.Geometry.Polygon(geom.coordinates)
            elif isinstance(geom, geojson.Point):
                ee_geometry = ee.Geometry.Point(geom.coordinates)
            else:
                raise ValueError('Only Points and Polygons are supported.')

            if date_from is not None:
                if index_name is not None:
                    indexCollection = ee.ImageCollection(collection_name) \
                        .filterDate(date_from, date_to) \
                        .select(index_name)
                else:
                    indexCollection = ee.ImageCollection(collection_name) \
                        .filterDate(date_from, date_to)
            else:
                indexCollection = ee.ImageCollection(collection_name)

            def get_index(image):
                if reducer:
                    the_reducer = getattr(ee.Reducer, reducer)()

                if index_name is not None:
                    index_value = image.reduceRegion(the_reducer, ee_geometry, scale).get(index_name)
                else:
                    index_value = image.reduceRegion(the_reducer, ee_geometry, scale)

                date = image.get('system:time_start')
                index_image = ee.Image().set('indexValue', [ee.Number(date), index_value])
                return index_image

            index_collection = indexCollection.map(get_index)
            index_collection_agg = index_collection.aggregate_array('indexValue')
            values = index_collection_agg.getInfo()
            log.debug('Values acquired.')
            df = pd.DataFrame(values, columns=['Time', index_name.replace("_", " ")])

            if orient == 'df':
                time_series.append(df)
            else:
                time_series.append(df.to_dict(orient=orient))

        except EEException:
            log.exception('An error occurred while attempting to retrieve the time series.')

    log.debug(f'Time Series: {time_series}')
    return time_series

Note

You don't need to worry about updating existing calls of get_time_series_from_image_collection, because the new orient argument was added at the end of the argument list with a default value that will cause it to behave as it did before the argument was added.

  1. Modify the get_time_series controller in controllers/rest.py to call the get_time_series_from_image_collection function and return the time series in the response object. Replace the response_data object with the following:

from django.http import HttpResponseServerError
from ..gee.methods import get_time_series_from_image_collection
try:
    time_series = get_time_series_from_image_collection(
        platform=platform,
        sensor=sensor,
        product=product,
        index_name=index,
        scale=scale,
        geometry=geometry,
        date_from=start_date_str,
        date_to=end_date_str,
        reducer=reducer,
        orient=orient
    )
except ValueError as e:
    return HttpResponseBadRequest(str(e))
except Exception:
    log.exception('An unexpected error occurred during execution of get_time_series_from_image_collection.')
    return HttpResponseServerError('An unexpected error occurred. Please review your parameters and try again.')

# compose response object.
response_data = {
    'time_series': time_series,
    'parameters': {
        'platform': platform,
        'sensor': sensor,
        'product': product,
        'index': index,
        'start_date': start_date_str,
        'end_date': end_date_str,
        'reducer': reducer,
        'orient': orient,
        'scale': scale,
        'geometry': geometry
    }
}
  1. Enable all of the Query parameters in Postman by checking the box next to each with the exception of the index parameter. Ensure that the values given for the enabled parameters are valid.

  2. Press the Send button to submit the request and verify that the time series is included in the response object.

11. Test & Verify

  1. Use Postman to try different values for each of the parameters. Use some that are valid and others that are not to ensure the validation is working.

  2. Switch the method from "GET" to "POST".

  3. Uncheck all of the Query parameters in the Params tab.

  4. Select the Body tab and toggle on the form-data radio button.

  5. Press the Bulk Edit link at the right and insert the following:

platform:modis
sensor:terra
product:temperature
start_date:2020-02-15
end_date:2020-04-14
reducer:mean
//index:NDVI
geometry:{"type":"GeometryCollection","geometries":[{"type":"Point","coordinates":[36.112060546875,-0.03295898255728957],"properties":{"id":"drawing_layer.79c08238-4084-4825-9e76-f018527d45b7"},"crs":{"type":"link","properties":{"href":"http://spatialreference.org/ref/epsg/4326/proj4/","type":"proj4"}}},{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[36.749267578125,0.1867672473697155],[36.6943359375,-0.043945308191354115],[36.99096679687499,-0.043945308191354115],[36.9140625,0.1757809742470755],[36.749267578125,0.1867672473697155]]],"properties":{"id":"drawing_layer.ffa36dfd-5767-4946-890b-f4c0d9c0ff9f"},"crs":{"type":"link","properties":{"href":"http://spatialreference.org/ref/epsg/4326/proj4/","type":"proj4"}}}]}
orient:series
scale:250
  1. Press the Send button to ensure the API works as expected with the POST method.

12. Solution

This concludes this portion of the GEE Tutorial. You can view the solution on GitHub at https://github.com/tethysplatform/tethysapp-earth_engine/tree/rest-api-solution-solution-3.0 or clone it as follows:

git clone https://github.com/tethysplatform/tethysapp-earth_engine.git
cd tethysapp-earth_engine
git checkout -b rest-api-solution rest-api-solution-3.4