How to work with Sybase 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 Sybase, Spark can work with live Sybase data. This article describes how to connect to and query Sybase data from a Spark shell.

The CData JDBC Driver offers unmatched performance for interacting with live Sybase data due to optimized data processing built into the driver. When you issue complex SQL queries to Sybase, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Sybase 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 Sybase data using native data types.

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Sybase

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Sybase Data

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

   To connect to Sybase, specify the following connection properties:

   • Server: Set this to the name or network address of the Sybase database instance.
   • Database: Set this to the name of the Sybase database running on the specified Server.

   Optionally, you can also secure your connections with TLS/SSL by setting UseSSL to true.

   Sybase supports several methods for authentication including Password and Kerberos.

   Connect Using Password Authentication

   Set the AuthScheme to Password and set the following connection properties to use Sybase authentication.

   • User: Set this to the username of the authenticating Sybase user.
   • Password: Set this to the username of the authenticating Sybase user.

   Connect using LDAP Authentication

   To connect with LDAP authentication, you will need to configure Sybase server-side to use the LDAP authentication mechanism.

   After configuring Sybase for LDAP, you can connect using the same credentials as Password authentication.

   Connect Using Kerberos Authentication

   To leverage Kerberos authentication, begin by enabling it setting AuthScheme to Kerberos. See the Using Kerberos section in the Help documentation for more information on using Kerberos authentication.

   You can find an example connection string below: Server=MyServer;Port=MyPort;User=SampleUser;Password=SamplePassword;Database=MyDB;Kerberos=true;KerberosKDC=MyKDC;KerberosRealm=MYREALM.COM;KerberosSPN=server-name

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.sybase.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Sybase, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val sybase_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:sybase:User=myuser;Password=mypassword;Server=localhost;Database=mydatabase;Charset=iso_1;").option("dbtable","Products").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.sybase.SybaseDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Sybase data as a temporary table:

   scala> sybase_df.registerTable("products")

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

   scala> sybase_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Id, ProductName FROM Products WHERE ProductName = Konbu").collect.foreach(println)

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

Using the CData JDBC Driver for Sybase in Apache Spark, you are able to perform fast and complex analytics on Sybase 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.