Configuration API for PubNub Ruby SDK

Ruby complete API reference for building real-time applications on PubNub, including basic usage and sample code.

Initialization

Installing

To use pubnub ruby gem, you need to install it. You can do it via rubygems command:

gem install pubnub

Or add it to your Gemfile.

gem 'pubnub', '~> 5.3.5'

Usage

To use pubnub, you need to require it in your files.

require 'pubnub'

That's it, you can use PubNub ruby client right away.

Description

This function is used for initializing the PubNub Client API context. This function must be called before attempting to utilize any API functionality in order to establish account level credentials such as publish_key and subscribe_key.

Method(s)

To Initialize PubNub you can use the following method(s) in the Ruby SDK:

Pubnub(
    subscribe_key,
    publish_key,
    secret_key,
    auth_key,
    ssl,
    uuid,
    heartbeat,
    callback,
    ttl,
    open_timeout,
    read_timeout,
    idle_timeout,
    s_open_timeout,
    s_read_timeout,
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Parameter	Type	Required	Default	Description
`subscribe_key`	String, Symbol	Yes		Your `subscribe key`.
`publish_key`	String, Symbol	Optional		Your `publish key`, required to publish messages.
`secret_key`	String, Symbol	Optional		Your `secret key`, required for Access Manager.
`auth_key`	String, Symbol	Optional		Your `auth key`.
`ssl`	Boolean	Optional	`false`	If set to `true` `ssl` connection will be used.
`user_id`	String	Yes		`user_id` to use. You should set a unique `user_id` to identify the user or the device that connects to PubNub. It's a UTF-8 encoded string of up to 92 alphanumeric characters. If you don't set the `user_id`, you won't be able to connect to PubNub.
`heartbeat`	Integer	Optional		Setting value of `heartbeat` enables `heartbeat` with given value. `Heartbeat` starts with first async `subscribe`. Disabled by default.
`callback`	Lambda	Optional		That `callback` will be automatically passed to all method calls fired from this client (like `publish`, `history`, `subscribe`). Will be overwritten by the `callback` passed to called event.
`ttl`	Integer	Optional		Default `ttl` for grant and revoke.
`open_timeout`	Integer	Optional	`10`	Timeout for opening connection for `non-subscribe` events.The value is in seconds.
`read_timeout`	Integer	Optional	`10`	Timeout for reading for `non-subscribe` events.The value is in seconds.
`idle_timeout`	Integer	Optional	`10`	Timeout for idle for `non-subscribe` events.The value is in seconds.
`s_open_timeout`	Integer	Optional	`310`	Timeout for opening connection for `subscribe`.The value is in seconds.
`s_read_timeout`	Integer	Optional	`310`	Timeout for read for `subscribe`.The value is in seconds.
`s_idle_timeout`	Integer	Optional	`310`	Timeout for idle for `subscribe`.The value is in seconds.
`logger`	Object	Optional	`Logger instance that outputs logs to 'pubnub.log'`	Custom `logger` instance.
`origin`	String	Optional	`ps.pndsn.com`	Custom `origin`. Add method that allows changing the `origin`.`#origin=(origin)`
`http_sync`	Boolean	Optional	`false`	Method will be executed `asynchronously` and will return future, to get it's `value` you can use `value` method. If set to `true`, method will return array of envelopes (even if there's only one `envelope`). For `sync` methods `Envelope` object will be returned.
`crypto_module`	`Crypto::CryptoModule`	Optional	n/a	The cryptography module used for encryption and decryption of messages. Takes the `cipher_key` and `random_iv` parameters as arguments. For more information, refer to the crypto_module section.
~~`cipher_key`~~	~~String~~	~~Optional~~		This way of setting this parameter is deprecated, pass it to `crypto_module` instead. ~~Your `cipher key`, it's used to encrypt and decrypt messages, if set.~~
~~`random_iv`~~	~~Boolean~~	~~Optional~~	~~`true`~~	This way of setting this parameter is deprecated, pass it to `crypto_module` instead. ~~When `true` the initialization vector (IV) is random for all requests (not just for file upload). When `false` the IV is hard-coded for all requests except for file upload.~~
~~`uuid`~~	~~String~~	~~Yes~~		This parameter is deprecated, use `user_id` instead. `UUID` to use. You should set a unique `UUID` to identify the user or the device that connects to PubNub. If you don't set the `UUID`, you won't be able to connect to PubNub.

Disabling random initialization vector

Disable random initialization vector (IV) only for backward compatibility (< 4.6.0) with existing applications. Never disable random IV on new applications.

`crypto_module`

crypto_module provides encrypt/decrypt functionality for messages and files. From the 5.2.2 release on, you can configure how the actual encryption/decryption algorithms work.

Each PubNub SDK is bundled with two ways of encryption: the legacy encryption with 128-bit cipher key entropy and the recommended 256-bit AES-CBC encryption. For more general information on how encryption works, refer to Message Encryption.

If you do not explicitly set the crypto_module in your app and have the cipher_key and random_iv params set in PubNub config, the client defaults to using the legacy encryption.

Legacy encryption with 128-bit cipher key entropy

You don't have to change your encryption configuration if you want to keep using the legacy encryption. If you want to use the recommended 256-bit AES-CBC encryption, you must explicitly set that in the PubNub config.

`crypto_module` configuration

To configure the crypto_module to encrypt all messages/files, you can use the following methods in the Ruby SDK:

# Encrypts using 256-bit AES-CBC cipher (recommended)
# Decrypts data encrypted with the legacy and the 256-bit AES-CBC ciphers
pubnub = Pubnub.new(
    # ...
    crypto_module: Crypto::CryptoModule.new_aes_cbc("enigma", true)
)

# Encrypts with 128-bit cipher key entropy (legacy)
# Decrypts data encrypted with the legacy and the 256-bit AES-CBC ciphers
pubnub = Pubnub.new(
    # ...
    crypto_module: Crypto::CryptoModule.new_legacy("enigma", true)
)

Partial encryption

Manual encryption allows users to decide what and when to encrypt.

Configuration settings

Do not configure crypto during PubNub client creation to use manual encryption.

For partial encryption, serialize complex objects (e.g., dictionaries) to JSON strings.

data_to_encrypt = { key: "value to encrypt" }
json_string = data_to_encrypt.to_json

Encrypt the JSON string using the crypto_module instance.

crypto_module = Crypto::CryptoModule.new_aes_cbc("enigma", true)
encrypted_data = crypto_module.encrypt(json_string)

To make encrypted data "transportable", encode it as a Base64 string.

base64_encrypted_string = Base64.strict_encode64(encrypted_data)

Use the Base64 string as an argument in the publish() function or as a value in a dictionary for partial encryption.

Decryption considerations

If the encrypted data is obtained as a Base64 encoded string (e.g., from subscribe response or history), decode it first.

base64_encoded_data = "CxQ0dxjBqIHdfuvtTcKeaLlyeRY7ZuaKy27wwwWo1EE="
decoded_data = Base64.decode64(base64_encoded_data)

If dealing with a binary string output directly from crypto_module.encrypt(data.to_json), you can use it directly for decryption.

decrypted_string = crypto_module.decrypt(decoded_data)

Your client can decrypt content encrypted using either of the modules. This way, you can interact with historical messages or messages sent from older clients while encoding new messages using the more secure 256-bit AES-CBC cipher.

Older SDK versions

Apps built using the SDK versions lower than 5.2.2 will not be able to decrypt data encrypted using the 256-bit AES-CBC cipher. Make sure to update your clients or encrypt data using the legacy algorithm.

Basic Usage

Initialize the PubNub client API with encryption

Required UserId

Always set the UserId to uniquely identify the user or device that connects to PubNub. This UserId should be persisted, and should remain unchanged for the lifetime of the user or the device. If you don't set the UserId, you won't be able to connect to PubNub.

pubnub = Pubnub.new(
    subscribe_key: :demo,
    publish_key:   :demo,
    ssl: true,
    user_id: 'myUniqueUserId',
    crypto_module: Crypto::CryptoModule.new_aes_cbc("enigma", true)
)

Returns

It returns the PubNub instance for invoking PubNub APIs like publish(), subscribe(), history(), here_now(), etc.

Other Examples

Initialize the client

Required UserId

pubnub = Pubnub.new(
    publish_key: 'demo',
    subscribe_key: 'demo',
    user_id: 'myUniqueUserId'
)

Initialization for a Read-Only client

In the case where a client will only read messages and never publish to a channel, you can simply omit the publish_key when initializing the client:

Required UserId

# Initialize for Read Only Client
pubnub = Pubnub.new(
    subscribe_key : 'demo'
)

Use a custom user ID

Set a custom user_id to identify your users.

Required UserId

# initialize
pubnub = Pubnub.new(
    publish_key: 'myPublishKey',
    subscribe_key: 'mySubscribeKey',
    user_id: 'myUniqueUserId'
)

Initializing with SSL Enabled

This examples demonstrates how to enable PubNub Transport Layer Encryption with SSL. Just initialize the client with ssl set to true. The hard work is done, now the PubNub API takes care of the rest. Just subscribe and publish as usual and you are good to go.

Required UserId

pubnub = Pubnub.new(
    subscribe_key: :demo,
    publish_key:   :demo,
    ssl: true,
    user_id: 'myUniqueUserId'
)

Initializing with Access Manager

Requires Access Manager add-on

This method requires that the Access Manager add-on is enabled for your key in the Admin Portal. Read the support page on enabling add-on features on your keys.

Secure your secret_key

Anyone with the secret_key can grant and revoke permissions to your app. Never let your secret key be discovered, and to only exchange it / deliver it securely. Only use the secret_key on secure server-side platforms.

When you init with secret_key, you get root permissions for the Access Manager. With this feature you don't have to grant access to your servers to access channel data. The servers get all access on all channels.

For applications that will administer Access Manager permissions, the API is initialized with the secret_key as in the following example:

Required UserId

pubnub = Pubnub.new(subscribe_key: 'my_subkey', secret_key: 'my_secretkey', user_id: 'myUniqueUserId')

Now that the pubnub object is instantiated the client will be able to access the Access Manager functions. The pubnub object will use the secret_key to sign all Access Manager messages to the PubNub Network.

Event Listeners

You can be notified of connectivity status, message and presence notifications via the listeners.

Listeners should be added before calling the method.

Add Listeners

callback = Pubnub::SubscribeCallback.new(
    message:  ->(_envelope) {}, # this will be fired only for non-presence messages
    presence: ->(_envelope) {}, # this will be fired only for presence messages
    signal: ->(_envelope) {}, # Handle signal message
    status: ->(envelope)  do  # this will be fired for status messages and errors
    if envelope.status[:error]
        case envelope.status[:category]
            when Pubnub::Constants::STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED # :access_denied
                # Access denied. Double check Access Manager etc.
            when Pubnub::Constants::STATUS_TIMEOUT # :timeout
                # Timeout error
            when Pubnub::Constants::STATUS_NON_JSON_RESPONSE # :non_json_response
                # Non json response
            when Pubnub::Constants::STATUS_API_KEY_ERROR # :api_key_error
                # API key error
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Remove Listeners

pubnub.remove_listener(name: 'my_listener')
# or
pubnub.remove_listener(callbacks)

Listeners Example

# Init pubnub client
pubnub_client = Pubnub.new(subscribe_key: 'demo', publish_key: 'demo')

# First callbacks object
callbacks0 = Pubnub::SubscribeCallback.new(
  message:  ->(envelope) { puts "C0 MESSAGE: #{envelope.result[:data][:message]}" },
  presence: ->(envelope) { puts "C0 PRESENCE: #{envelope.result[:data][:message]}" },
  status:   ->(envelope) { puts "C0 STATUS: #{envelope.result[:data][:message]}" }
)

# Second callbacks object
callbacks1 = Pubnub::SubscribeCallback.new(
  message:  ->(envelope) { puts "C1 MESSAGE: #{envelope.result[:data][:message]}" },
  presence: ->(envelope) { puts "C1 PRESENCE: #{envelope.result[:data][:message]}" },
  status:   ->(envelope) { puts "C1 STATUS: #{envelope.result[:data][:message]}" }
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Presence to a Channel Group

This functions subscribes to the presence channel of a channel group.

Method(s)

To do Presence to a Channel Group you can use the following method(s) in Ruby SDK:

Go to the subscribe() method.

Basic Usage

Subscribe to the presence channel of a channel group

pubnub = Pubnub.new(
    subscribe_key: :demo,
    publish_key: :demo
)

callback = Pubnub::SubscribeCallback.new(
    message:  ->(_envelope) {
    },
    presence: ->(envelope) {
        puts "PRESENCE: #{envelope.result[:data]}"
    },
    status:   ->(_envelope) {
    }
)

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Authentication Key

This function provides the capability to get a user's auth_key.

Method(s)

auth_key

This method doesn't take any arguments.

Basic Usage

pubnub.auth_key

Returns

The current authentication key.

Initialization​

Installing​

Usage​

Description​

Method(s)​

Disabling random initialization vector

crypto_module​

Legacy encryption with 128-bit cipher key entropy

crypto_module configuration​

Partial encryption​

Configuration settings

Decryption considerations​

Older SDK versions

Basic Usage​

Initialize the PubNub client API with encryption​

Required UserId

Returns​

Other Examples​

Initialize the client​

Required UserId

Initialization for a Read-Only client​

Required UserId

Use a custom user ID​

Required UserId

Initializing with SSL Enabled​

Required UserId

Initializing with Access Manager​

Requires Access Manager add-on

Secure your secret_key

Required UserId

Event Listeners​

Add Listeners​

Remove Listeners​

Listeners Example​

Presence to a Channel Group​

Method(s)​

Basic Usage​

Authentication Key​

Method(s)​

Basic Usage​

Returns​

Initialization

Installing

Usage

Description

Method(s)

`crypto_module`

`crypto_module` configuration

Partial encryption

Decryption considerations

Basic Usage

Initialize the PubNub client API with encryption

Returns

Other Examples

Initialize the client

Initialization for a Read-Only client

Use a custom user ID

Initializing with SSL Enabled

Initializing with Access Manager

Event Listeners

Add Listeners

Remove Listeners

Listeners Example

Presence to a Channel Group

Method(s)

Basic Usage

Authentication Key

Method(s)

Basic Usage

Returns