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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Vimeo

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Vimeo Data

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

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

2. With the shell running, you can connect to Vimeo with a JDBC URL and use the SQL Context load() function to read a table.

   Vimeo is a professional video hosting platform. The Vimeo API uses personal access tokens (bearer tokens) to enable secure access to video metadata, user information, channels, groups, categories, and related resources.

   Using API Key Authentication

   To authenticate to the Vimeo API, you will need to provide a personal access token. To obtain your access token:

   1. Log in to your Vimeo account at https://vimeo.com
   2. Navigate to https://developer.vimeo.com/apps
   3. Create a new app or select an existing app
   4. Under "Personal Access Tokens", click "Generate" to create a new token
   5. Select the required scopes: public and private for read access
   6. Copy the generated token

   After obtaining your access token, set the following connection properties:

   • AuthScheme: Set this to APIKey.
   • APIKey: Set this to your Vimeo personal access token.

   Example connection string

   Profile=C:\profiles\Vimeo.apip;ProfileSettings='APIKey=your_personal_access_token';
   

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

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

   scala> api_df.registerTable("videos")

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

   scala> api_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT ,  FROM Videos WHERE UserUri = /users/12345678").collect.foreach(println)

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

   

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