Query Slack 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 Slack data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for Slack in Connect and work with live Slack data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for Slack 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 "Slack" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Slack. Slack uses the OAuth authentication standard. To authenticate using OAuth, you will need to create an app to obtain the OAuthClientId, OAuthClientSecret, and CallbackURL connection properties. See the Getting Started section of the help documentation for an authentication guide.
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 Slack from MySQL Workbench.

Query Slack from MySQL Workbench

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

Connect to Slack 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 Slack Data

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

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