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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for SageHR

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to SageHR Data

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

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

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

   SageHR API Profile Settings

   Navigate to Settings > Integrations > API in your SageHR account and click Enable API Access to obtain your API key. Your Subdomain is the prefix of your SageHR URL.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

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

   scala> api_df.registerTable("applicantactions")

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

   scala> api_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT ApplicantId, Action FROM ApplicantActions WHERE ApplicantId = 12345").collect.foreach(println)

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

   

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