# How to use the data.snb.ch API with R
# Swiss National Bank, 2024
# ==========================================================================================

# README
# - Please read https://data.snb.ch/en/help_api
# - Look through this R code and read the help for information on unknown R functions/packages.
# - You can change the script as necessary
# - Please only retrieve data if there really are new data available.
#   To find out if there are new data available, you can use the lastUpdate method or eTags.
#   See https://data.snb.ch/en/help_api
#   If excessive use of the data portal leads to any disruption, we reserve the right
#   to block the IP address of the user concerned.

# COPYRIGHT, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND DATA PROTECTION
# https://www.snb.ch/en/srv/disclaimer_liability

# ==========================================================================================

# load packages, please install if missing
# ----------------------------------------
# install.packages("RCurl")
# install.packages("jsonlite")
library(RCurl)
library(jsonlite)

# Download Data
# -------------
localDataFile <- "sddscbs14m.csv"
download.file("https://data.snb.ch/api/cube/sddscbs14m/data/csv/en?dimSel=D0(FASMB,FASGG,FASAO,FASF,FASAF,FASLF)&fromDate=2023-04&toDate=2024-04", method="curl", destfile=localDataFile) # if it fails, check method parameter

# Download Structure Descriptions
# -------------------------------
localStrFile <- "sddscbs14m.json"
download.file("https://data.snb.ch/api/cube/sddscbs14m/dimensions/en", method="curl", destfile=localStrFile)

# Load the downloaded files into R-Session
# ----------------------------------------
rawData <- read.table(localDataFile, skip=3, header = TRUE, sep=";")
strData <- fromJSON(paste(readLines(localStrFile, encoding = "UTF-8"), collapse=""))

# Use the Data
# ------------
head(rawData)