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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for EventBrite

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to EventBrite Data

1. Open a terminal and start the Spark shell with the CData JDBC Driver for EventBrite JAR file as the jars parameter: $ spark-shell --jars /CData/CData JDBC Driver for EventBrite/lib/cdata.jdbc.api.jar
2. With the shell running, you can connect to EventBrite 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 EventBrite Profile on disk (e.g. C:\profiles\EventBrite.apip). Next, set the ProfileSettings connection property to the connection string for EventBrite (see below).

   EventBrite API Profile Settings

   To use authenticate to EventBrite, you can find your Personal Token in the API Keys page of your EventBrite Account. Set the APIKey to your personal token in the ProfileSettings connection property.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

   For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the EventBrite 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 EventBrite, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val api_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:api:Profile=C:\profiles\Eventbrite.apip;ProfileSettings='APIKey=my_api_token';").option("dbtable","Events").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 EventBrite data as a temporary table:

   scala> api_df.registerTable("events")

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

   scala> api_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Id, Name FROM Events WHERE Status = live").collect.foreach(println)

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

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