Bulk download course export packages

[james_umphres1]

Is it possible to use the API to push all courses in a subaccount to export their packages and then bulk download to your computer? If so what's the best way to do it? Python? Any ideas of where to start? I've looked at github but couldn't find anything.

Thanks

[James]

@james_umphres1 

Look at the Content Exports API.

The Export Content endpoint can be used to start an export. Then you use the Progress API to check the current status. Once it's completed, you can use the Show Content Export endpoint to get the download URL.

You can use the List active courses in an account endpoint of the Accounts API to get a list of all the courses for your subaccount.

Best way depends on the language you're most familiar with. This can be done with almost any modern programming language.

[james_umphres1]

Thanks, I'm not familiar with any. What do you think the best starting point is? A python class?

[James]

@james_umphres1 

I am not a computer scientist, but I hate telling someone to take an entire course when they need one snippet of information. You might look around here in the Developer's Group (where you posted this question). There are lots of resources and guides. I believe there is a Python library for Canvas and many people find Python relatively easy to start programming in, but I don't know enough Python to recommend it.

If this is the only thing you need to do with the API, I would suggest looking through what others have done and modifying an existing program. If you are going to have to use the API for a lot of things and don't have any programming experience, you're in for a steep road ahead. On top of that, Canvas has declared they plan on changing the API to make everything GraphQL, so what you learn now won't be done the same way at some (not sure when, but I'm guessing years) point in the future.

[zbogner]

Hi @james_umphres1,

Here are two scripts that might help you get started, one in Python and another in Ruby:
https://github.com/unsupported/canvas/tree/master/api/bulk_course_export 

I agree with James' comments - the best way to learn a new scripting language is to take a working example and tweak it to fit your needs. I think Python is a great language to start with. 

[james_umphres1]

Thanks so much! This is what I was looking for I think. I agree the only way to learn at this point (middle age) is to dive in with an actual goal instead of starting with Hello World.