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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Retently

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Retently Data

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

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

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

   Retently API Profile Settings

   Log into your Retently account and navigate to the OAuth settings page to register an application and receive a Client ID and Client Secret.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   scala> val api_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:api:Profile=C:\profiles\Retently.apip;Authscheme=OAuth;OAuthClientId=your_client_id;OAuthClientSecret=your_client_secret;CallbackUrl=your_callback_url;").option("dbtable","Campaigns").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 Retently data as a temporary table:

   scala> api_df.registerTable("campaigns")

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

   scala> api_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Id, Value FROM Campaigns WHERE Id = campaign_123").collect.foreach(println)

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

   

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