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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Avalara AvaTax

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Avalara AvaTax Data

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

   The primary method for performing basic authentication is to provide your login credentials, as follows:

   • User: Set this to your username.
   • Password: Set this to your password.

   Optionally, if you are making use of a sandbox environment, set the following:

   • UseSandbox: Set this to true if you are authenticating with a sandbox account.

   Authenticating Using Account Number and License Key

   Alternatively, you can authenticate using your account number and license key. Connect to data using the following:

   • AccountId: Set this to your Account Id. The Account Id is listed in the upper right hand corner of the admin console.
   • LicenseKey: Set this to your Avalara Avatax license key. You can generate a license key by logging into Avalara Avatax as an account administrator and navigating to Settings -> Reset License Key.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.avalaraavatax.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Avalara AvaTax, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val avalaraavatax_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:avalaraavatax:User=MyUser;Password=MyPassword;").option("dbtable","Transactions").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.avalaraavatax.AvalaraAvataxDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Avalara AvaTax data as a temporary table:

   scala> avalaraavatax_df.registerTable("transactions")

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

   scala> avalaraavatax_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Id, TotalTax FROM Transactions WHERE Code = 051349").collect.foreach(println)

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

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