How execute a FQL Insights query with Facebook Graph API - facebook-graph-api

Question

I try without success to execute a FQL query using Graph API to get the value of Insights counters.
Does anyone know how I can do this?
I use "Facebook C# SDK" version 5.4.1, C# 4.0.
If I use C# sample code provided in the documentation
var fb = new FacebookClient(m_accessToken);
dynamic result = fb.Query("SELECT name, uid FROM user WHERE uid= me()");
I receive a good response
{"name":"","uid":100002632407830}
With the same syntax, If I request "pages_fans" Insights counter and use library 5.4.1
var fb = new FacebookClient(m_accessToken);
dynamic result = fb.Query("SELECT metric, value FROM insights WHERE object_id=6176018219 AND metric='page_fans' AND end_time=end_time_date('2011-12-31') AND period=period('lifetime')");
I receive always an empty response
{[]}
With the same code but with library 5.2.1
I receive always a good response
{[{"metric":"page_fans","value":"125535"}]}
It is the same problem described here : Error with FQL query with library 5.4.1 but with another syntax.
Currently I use FQL Insights queries using REST API (with libary 5.2.1) but I want to migrate to FQL Insights queries using the Graph API (with library 5.4.1) because the REST API is deprecated.
Where is the bug:
In my syntax request?
In the "Facebook C# SDK" library?
On Facebook server?
Best regards.

Answer 1

I made a request with the Facebook Graph API Explorer
https://graph.facebook.com/fql?q=SELECT metric, value FROM insights
WHERE object_id=6176018219 AND metric='page_fans' AND
end_time=end_time_date('2011-12-31') AND period=period('lifetime')
I receive always an empty response.
{
"data": [
]
}
It is a Facebook's bug.
A bug was created about it on Facebook : http://developers.facebook.com/bugs/232510993491615?browse=search_4f08c675cce9d2265724293

Answer 2

I found another way to retrieving the info which works reliably
I found another way of retrieving insights which seems to be reliable.
documentation found here http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/api/insights/.
with more options to allow format and period changes - below example.
https://graph.facebook.com/2439131959/insights/application_active_users/[period]?format=json&since=[timestamp]&until=[timestamp]&access_token=[access_token]
period is day, month, week, lifetime.
timestamp has to be a valid PST midnight only.
access_token = could be.
1. nothing for the metrics that don't need permission.
2. app_id|secret_code or
3. your authentication token granted that you have access to the insight data of the application or pages (ie owner or insight users).
C# sdk example:
FacebookClient fbClient = new FacebookClient([appID], [secret]);
DateTime untilDate= (new DateTime([Now].Year, [Now].Month, [Now].Day));
DateTime sinceDate= (new DateTime([Now].Year, [Now].Month, [Now].Day)).AddDays(-1);
TimeSpan t = (untilDate- new DateTime(1970, 1, 1));
int timestampUntil = (int)t.TotalSeconds;
t = (sinceDate- new DateTime(1970, 1, 1));
int timeStampSince = (int)t.TotalSeconds;
var result = (IDictionary<string, object>)fbClient.Get([appID] + "/insights/" + [metricID] + "/" + [period] + "?format=json&since="+timeStampSince+"&until="+timestampUntil );
Console.WriteLine(result["data"]);

Answer 3

Make sure you have the correct permissions when you get your Access Token
<fb:login-button perms="read_insights"></fb:login-button>

Answer 4

This issue related to Facebook C# SDK.
Probably best thing you can do is file a bug on codeplex, and replace usage of end_time_date to "time in seconds" and period to "lifetime".