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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for MailerLite

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to MailerLite Data

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

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

2. With the shell running, you can connect to MailerLite 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 MailerLite Profile on disk (e.g. C:\profiles\MailerLite.apip). Next, set the ProfileSettings connection property to the connection string for MailerLite (see below).

   MailerLite API Profile Settings

   Obtain your API Key from the Integrations page in your MailerLite account dashboard.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

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

   scala> api_df.registerTable("account")

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

   scala> api_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Id, Name FROM Account WHERE Email = [email protected]").collect.foreach(println)

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

   

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