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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Salesloft

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Salesloft Data

1. Open a terminal and start the Spark shell with the CData JDBC Driver for Salesloft JAR file as the jars parameter: $ spark-shell --jars /CData/CData JDBC Driver for Salesloft/lib/cdata.jdbc.salesloft.jar
2. With the shell running, you can connect to Salesloft with a JDBC URL and use the SQL Context load() function to read a table. SalesLoft authenticates using the OAuth authentication standard or an API Key. OAuth requires the authenticating user to interact with SalesLoft using the browser.

   Using OAuth

   For OAuth authentication, create an OAuth app to obtain the OAuthClientId, OAuthClientSecret, and CallbackURL connection properties. See the OAuth section in the Help documentation for an authentication guide.

   Using APIKey

   Alternatively, you can authenticate with an APIKey. Provision an API key from the SalesLoft user interface: https://accounts.salesloft.com/oauth/applications/. You will receive a Key which will be used when issuing requests.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.salesloft.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Salesloft, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val salesloft_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:salesloft:AuthScheme=OAuth;OAuthClientId=MyOAuthClientId;OAuthClientSecret=MyOAuthClientSecret;CallbackUrl=http://localhost:33333;").option("dbtable","Accounts").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.salesloft.SalesLoftDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Salesloft data as a temporary table:

   scala> salesloft_df.registerTable("accounts")

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

   scala> salesloft_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Id, Name FROM Accounts WHERE Country = Canada").collect.foreach(println)

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

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