PayPal integration with PHP: which API and credentials to use? - paypal

Question

I am trying to integrate paypal api with PHP compared to the old button form that I have used to date on my sites. But there is one thing that is not clear to me, is it more correct to integrate paypal with client_id and secret or through the codes provided in the account panel (api username, api password and signature)? I followed the REST API integration guide (version 2) but they require client_id and secret. So what is the data in the account panel for? Anyone can clarify my ideas? Thank you

Answer 1

The API username, password, and signature is used by the classic NVP/SOAP APIs, which are much older than the REST API. They exist only for backwards compatibility with old shopping cart software and such integrations.
The v2/checkout/orders API should be used for current PayPal Checkout integrations. Pair two routes on your server (one for create order, one for capture order) that return/output only JSON data (never any HTML or text) with this JS approval flow.

Answer 2

I would go with JS SDK inline integration - requires client-id only and is more flexible than checkout buttons. Also creates nice user experience as if staying on the page (no redirects to 3rd party site). See all demos here.
paypal.Buttons({
createOrder: function(data, actions) {
return actions.order.create({
// note: custom_id (127 chars) will be passed later back in capture
purchase_units: [{
amount: {
value: amtDue.toFixed(2),
currency: 'EUR'
},
description : description,
custom_id : '<?= $encryptedPaymentData ?>'
}]
});
},
onApprove: function(data, actions) {
$("#global-spinner").show();
// set custom capture handler
return actions.order.capture().then(function(details) {
$.ajax({
type: "POST",
url: "/paypal/success",
data: ({
details : details,
ad : amtDue,
desc : description,
_token : '<?= $csrf ?>'
}),
success: function(resp) {
$("#global-spinner").hide();
window.showThankYou(); // some "thank you" function
},
error: function() {
$("#global-spinner").hide();
alert("Connection error.");
}
});
});
},
onError: function (err) {
// some custom function - send error data to server logger
window.handlePaypalError(err, description, amtDue);
}
}).render('#paypal-button-container');