bascil/sms_shortcode_application

A PHP application for SMS Shortcode service

PHP package for SMS Shortcode

Hi Guys, this is a PHP package for an SMS shortcode application such as sending admission number to a shortcode such as 25551.An SMS message is then sent to the users handset through the Africa's Talking API.This is developed on sandbox (testing) mode. To go live contact Africa's Talking Ltd on https://www.africastalking.com/contact., _(*1)

Prerequisites

For testing download Africa's Talking android app from Google Playstore or use the web interface at https://simulator.africastalking.com:1517/.It is recommended to use the android app for better experience., _(*2)

Installation

This project supports both composer dependency management tool and can also be used without composer, _(*3)

Using Composer

Run the following command, _(*4)

composer require bascil/sms_shortcode_application

Without composer

Download the source code as zipped, _(*5)

Configuration

1. Import the message_table.sql file into MySQL database., _(*6)

2. Configure the database connection using dbConnector.php file, _(*7)

1. Modify the phone number to the phone number you have configured in your app in the message_table.sql file.You may leave the admission number as it is or change it if you wish.

    CREATE TABLE `message_table` (
      `id` int(11) NOT NULL,
      `student_name` varchar(50) NOT NULL,
      `adm` varchar(5) NOT NULL,
      `fee_balance` varchar(6) NOT NULL,
      `phone_number` varchar(15) NOT NULL,
      `date_posted` datetime NOT NULL
    ) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=latin1;


    INSERT INTO `message_table` (`id`, `student_name`, `adm`, `fee_balance`, `phone_number`, `date_posted`) VALUES
    (1, 'Basil Ndonga', '4567', '13000', '+254728986084', '2018-06-20 11:14:00');


    ALTER TABLE `message_table`
      ADD PRIMARY KEY (`id`);


    ALTER TABLE `message_table`
      MODIFY `id` int(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT, AUTO_INCREMENT=2;

1. Go to "https://account.africastalking.com/". Create an account then click on the Go to Sandbox App button, _(*8)

2. Configure your SMS callback URL for incoming messages (SMS Callback URLs > Incoming Messages ) e.g http://www.example.com/folder_name/sms.php then click Submit. This assumes you are working from a live server whose domain name is example.com.Replace the domain name with your own., _(*9)

3. If working from localhost you can set up a Ngrok server or Localtunnel to expose your localhost to the internet. Use the temporary URL provided as your callback e.g http://6a71f5ec.ngrok.io/folder_name/ussd.php. This only works when the computer is on and connected to the internet. If using Ngrok free package this address may change every 8 hours. You could opt for a paid version at 5 US dollars a month., _(*10)

4. Go to Settings > API key and enter your password to generate an API key. Look for a file named config.php and set your username as sandbox and the api key as the one you have generated., _(*11)

5. Configure an test SMS shortcode(mine was 25551). This will be used for SMS messages allow you to interact with Africa's Talking SMS APIs. Go to Shortcodes > Create Shortcode to create an SMS shortcode for testing., _(*12)

Usage

     try{
        $recipients = $from;
        $gateway= new AfricasTalkingGateway($username, $apikey,"sandbox");
        $gateway->sendMessage($recipients,$message,"25551");


    }
    catch(AfricasTalkingGatewayException $e){

        echo $e->getMessage();
      }

1. Now test the shortcode application using Africa's Talking android app downloaded from Google Playstore or use the web interface at https://simulator.africastalking.com:1517/ using the shortcode you configured i.e. 25551.Make sure you configure a phone number similar to the one created in step 2.

Linux Hosting

If you need VPS or dedicated hosting, please visit this link Server Host, _(*13)

Support

Need support using this package:-, _(*14)

Email basilndonga@gmail.com or skype me at basilndonga., _(*15)

If you wish to be added as a contributor to this project let me know. If you wish to buy me a coffee, you can support me on this link., _(*16)

If you were inspired by this project, don't forget to follow me on github and on twitter @basilndonga as well., _(*17)

If you wish to engage me as a developer for your project, feel free to contact me, _(*18)

License

This package is open-sourced software licensed under the MIT license., _(*19)

Happy coding!!!!!!!, _(*20)