How to work with Bing Search Results 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 Bing Search, Spark can work with live Bing Search results. This article describes how to connect to and query Bing Search results from a Spark shell.

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Bing Search

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Bing Search Results

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

   To connect to Bing, set the ApiKey connection property. To obtain the API key, sign into Microsoft Cognitive Services and register for the Bing Search APIs.

   Two API keys are then generated; select either one.

   When querying tables, the SearchTerms parameter must be supplied in the WHERE clause.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.bing.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Bing Search, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val bing_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:bing:APIKey=MyAPIKey;").option("dbtable","VideoSearch").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.bing.BingDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Bing Search results as a temporary table:

   scala> bing_df.registerTable("videosearch")

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

   scala> bing_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Title, ViewCount FROM VideoSearch WHERE SearchTerms = WayneTech").collect.foreach(println)

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

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