How to work with eBay Analytics Data in Apache Spark using SQL

Apache Spark is a fast and general engine for large-scale data processing. When paired with the CData JDBC Driver for eBay Analytics, Spark can work with live eBay Analytics data. This article describes how to connect to and query eBay Analytics data from a Spark shell.

The CData JDBC Driver offers unmatched performance for interacting with live eBay Analytics data due to optimized data processing built into the driver. When you issue complex SQL queries to eBay Analytics, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to eBay Analytics and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations (often SQL functions and JOIN operations) client-side. With built-in dynamic metadata querying, you can work with and analyze eBay Analytics data using native data types.

Install the CData JDBC Driver for eBay Analytics

Download the CData JDBC Driver for eBay Analytics installer, unzip the package, and run the JAR file to install the driver.

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to eBay Analytics Data

1. Open a terminal and start the Spark shell with the CData JDBC Driver for eBay Analytics JAR file as the jars parameter: $ spark-shell --jars /CData/CData JDBC Driver for eBay Analytics/lib/cdata.jdbc.ebayanalytics.jar
2. With the shell running, you can connect to eBay Analytics with a JDBC URL and use the SQL Context load() function to read a table.

   You can authenticate to eBay Analytics only via the OAuth 2 authentication method. The eBay Analytics API requires an access token created with the authorization code grant flow to authorize the requests.

   You can follow the guide in the Help documentation for a step by step guide on how to authenticate using the OAuth 2 protocol.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

   For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the eBay Analytics JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.ebayanalytics.jar

   Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

   Configure the connection to eBay Analytics, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val ebayanalytics_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:ebayanalytics:OAuthClientId=MyAppID;OAuthClientSecret=MyCertID;RuName=MyRuName;").option("dbtable","TrafficReportByListing").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.ebayanalytics.EbayAnalyticsDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the eBay Analytics data as a temporary table:

   scala> ebayanalytics_df.registerTable("trafficreportbylisting")

5. Perform custom SQL queries against the Data using commands like the one below:

   scala> ebayanalytics_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT ListingName, ClickThroughRate FROM TrafficReportByListing WHERE ListingId = 201284405428").collect.foreach(println)

   You will see the results displayed in the console, similar to the following:

Using the CData JDBC Driver for eBay Analytics in Apache Spark, you are able to perform fast and complex analytics on eBay Analytics data, combining the power and utility of Spark with your data. Download a free, 30 day trial of any of the 200+ CData JDBC Drivers and get started today.