Dropbox api“USER TOKEN”，“USER SECRET”

Question

I am trying manipulate files using Dropbox Api by using DropNet Client (C# version of Dropbox CLient API). Here is my code:

    var client = new DropNetClient(APP_KEY,APP_SECRET);
    client.Delete("/Public/test.txt");

But it seems I need "USER TOKEN" and "USER SECRET" as well. Where should I get these two? Updated: I just need to manipulate files in my own folders and my shared folders. I already have APP_KEY and APP_SECRET from myApp page, where can I get "USER TOKEN" and "USER SECRET"

THanks

Answer 1

When you create your app on the dropbox web site, they give you an APP_KEY (identifies your app) and an APP_SECRET (like a password). You're essentially registering your app with drop box in order to integrate with their service.

Here's an overview: http://www.dropbox.com/developers/start/core

Click the " my apps " link in that page. You'll have to create or login with your drop box account. After that, you can create an app. Give it a name and description, select access folder or full contents and click OK. They will give you the key and secret after registering your app.

EDIT:

Concerning the specific C# DropNetClient, you're supposed to replace "APP_KEY" and "APP_SECRET" with your appKey and appSecret strings from that site.

This link lays out the sequence pretty clearly:

https://github.com/dkarzon/DropNet

_client = new DropNetClient("API KEY", "API SECRET");

for example:

// replace with given app key and secret from site
_client = new DropNetClient("8oz68cz267t52fz", "mavm58321hrhejy");

Once you have a client object, you need to pop a browser and have the user login to drop box with their user account. that's covered in step 2 of that link by getting the url.

var url = _client.BuildAuthorizeUrl();

Now that the user has logged on, you can get a user access token via synchronous or asynchronous methods. the user token enables a "remember me" feature without having the user reauthenticating and especially from your app storing their account/pass which you should never do. It's a token that proves they've authenticated with drop box. From step 3 of that link:

// Sync
var accessToken = _client.GetAccessToken(); //Store this token for "remember me" function

// Async
_client.GetAccessTokenAsync((accessToken) =>
    {
        //Store this token for "remember me" function
    },
    (error) =>
    {
        //Handle error
    });

Note that var accessToken is really a DropNet.Models.UserLogin object. That object contains:

    public string Token { get; set; }
    public string Secret { get; set; }

Answer 2

The user token/secret is what you get when a user gives your app access to their Dropbox via the browser-based authorization page, described here:

https://www.dropbox.com/developers/core/authentication

The Dropbox API is intended to link to each user's Dropbox. It sounds like you want it to link to your (developer-owned) Dropbox, which isn't currently supported. The only option would be to obtain a token via the auth flow in your deve environment, then somehow embed that token inside your app's code. Keeping that embedded token secret would be a challenge. Also, that embedded fixed token would be tied to your Dropbox account, and you'd have to be very careful never to unlink the app from your account (via https://www.dropbox.com/account#applications ), which would invalidate the token.

Answer 3

There is a new way to get a token for your own account without going through all the OAuth stuff. On the Application settings page you will find a button "Generated access token". This generates a token for your own account.