Query PayPal Data in MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench allows users to administer MySQL environments and gain better visibility into databases. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or Connect Server), you get live access to PayPal data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for PayPal in Connect and work with live PayPal data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for PayPal Data

CData Connect uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Login to Connect and click Connections.
2. Select "PayPal" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to PayPal.

   The provider surfaces tables from two PayPal APIs. The APIs use different authentication methods.

   • The REST API uses the OAuth standard. To authenticate to the REST API, you will need to set the OAuthClientId, OAuthClientSecret, and CallbackURL properties.
   • The Classic API requires Signature API credentials. To authenticate to the Classic API, you will need to obtain an API username, password, and signature.

   See the "Getting Started" chapter of the help documentation for a guide to obtaining the necessary API credentials.

   To select the API you want to work with, you can set the Schema property to REST or SOAP. By default the SOAP schema will be used.

   For testing purposes you can set UseSandbox to true and use sandbox credentials.

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to PayPal from MySQL Workbench.

Query PayPal from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual PayPal database in Connect from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live PayPal data.

Connect to PayPal through Connect

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData Connect).
3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

Query PayPal Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve PayPal data, like SELECT * FROM paypaldb.Transactions;

With access to live PayPal data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update PayPal, just like you would a MySQL database. Request a demo of the CData Connect and start working with PayPal just like a MySQL database today.