moodle-external-api-development

Moodle External API Development

This skill guides you through creating custom external web service APIs for Moodle LMS, following Moodle's external API framework and coding standards.

When to Use This Skill

• Creating custom web services for Moodle plugins
• Implementing REST/AJAX endpoints for course management
• Building APIs for quiz operations, user tracking, or reporting
• Exposing Moodle functionality to external applications
• Developing mobile app backends using Moodle

Core Architecture Pattern

Moodle external APIs follow a strict three-method pattern:

1. execute_parameters() - Defines input parameter structure
2. execute() - Contains business logic
3. execute_returns() - Defines return structure

Step-by-Step Implementation

Step 1: Create the External API Class File

Location: /local/yourplugin/classes/external/your_api_name.php

<?php
namespace local_yourplugin\external;

defined('MOODLE_INTERNAL') || die();
require_once("$CFG->libdir/externallib.php");

use external_api;
use external_function_parameters;
use external_single_structure;
use external_value;

class your_api_name extends external_api {
    
    // Three required methods will go here
    
}

Key Points:

• Class must extend external_api
• Namespace follows: local_pluginname\external or mod_modname\external
• Include the security check: defined('MOODLE_INTERNAL') || die();
• Require externallib.php for base classes

Step 2: Define Input Parameters

public static function execute_parameters() {
    return new external_function_parameters([
        'userid' => new external_value(PARAM_INT, 'User ID', VALUE_REQUIRED),
        'courseid' => new external_value(PARAM_INT, 'Course ID', VALUE_REQUIRED),
        'options' => new external_single_structure([
            'includedetails' => new external_value(PARAM_BOOL, 'Include details', VALUE_DEFAULT, false),
            'limit' => new external_value(PARAM_INT, 'Result limit', VALUE_DEFAULT, 10)
        ], 'Options', VALUE_OPTIONAL)
    ]);
}