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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Google Contacts

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Google Contacts Data

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

   You can connect to Google APIs on behalf of individual users or on behalf of a domain. Google uses the OAuth authentication standard. See the "Getting Started" section of the help documentation for a guide.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.googlecontacts.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Google Contacts, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val googlecontacts_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:googlecontacts:").option("dbtable","Friends").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.googlecontacts.GoogleContactsDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Google Contacts data as a temporary table:

   scala> googlecontacts_df.registerTable("friends")

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

   scala> googlecontacts_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Summary, StartDateTime FROM Friends WHERE SearchTerms = Durham").collect.foreach(println)

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

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