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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for ClickTime

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to ClickTime Data

1. Open a terminal and start the Spark shell with the CData JDBC Driver for ClickTime JAR file as the jars parameter:

   $ spark-shell --jars /CData/CData JDBC Driver for ClickTime/lib/cdata.jdbc.api.jar
   

2. With the shell running, you can connect to ClickTime with a JDBC URL and use the SQL Context load() function to read a table.

   Start by setting the Profile connection property to the location of the ClickTime Profile on disk (e.g. C:\profiles\Clicktime.apip). Next, set the ProfileSettings connection property to the connection string for ClickTime (see below).

   ClickTime API Profile Settings

   Log into ClickTime, navigate to My Preferences, select the Authentication Token tab, and copy your API token.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.api.jar
   

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

   

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

   scala> val api_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:api:Profile=C:\profiles\Clicktime.apip;ProfileSettings='APIKey=your_api_token';").option("dbtable","Allocations").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.api.APIDriver").load()
   

3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the ClickTime data as a temporary table:

   scala> api_df.registerTable("allocations")

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

   scala> api_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT EstHours, Job FROM Allocations WHERE UserIsActive = true").collect.foreach(println)

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

   

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