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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Zoho Recruit

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Zoho Recruit Data

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

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

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

   To authenticate to ZohoRecruit, and connect to your own data or to allow other users to connect to their data, you can use the OAuth standard.

   Using OAuth Authentication

   First, you will need to register an OAuth application with ZohoRecruit. To do so, go to the Zoho Developer Console, add a new Client (Server-based application) and set a valid OAuth redirect URL. Your OAuth application will be assigned a client id and a client secret. Additionally, you will need to set the relevant Domain (.com, .eu, .in, .com.cn, or .jp), which defaults to .com.

   After setting the following connection properties, you are ready to connect:

   • AuthScheme: Set this to OAuth.
   • InitiateOAuth: Set this to GETANDREFRESH. You can use InitiateOAuth to manage the process to obtain the OAuthAccessToken.
   • OAuthClientId: Set this to the client_id that is specified in your app settings.
   • OAuthClientSecret: Set this to the client_secret that is specified in your app settings.
   • CallbackURL: Set this to the Redirect URI that is specified in your app settings.
   • Domain: Set this in ProfileSettings to your ZohoRecruit account domain (e.g. .com, .eu, .in, .com.cn, .jp).

   Example connection string:

   Profile=C:\profiles\ZohoRecruit.apip;ProfileSettings='Domain=.com';AuthScheme=OAuth;InitiateOAuth=GETANDREFRESH;OAuthClientId=your_client_id;OAuthClientSecret=your_client_secret;CallbackUrl=your_callback_url;
   

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   scala> val api_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:api:Profile=C:\profiles\ZohoRecruit.apip;ProfileSettings='Domain=.com';AuthScheme=OAuth;InitiateOAuth=GETANDREFRESH;OAuthClientId=your_client_id;OAuthClientSecret=your_client_secret;CallbackUrl=your_callback_url;").option("dbtable","Attachments").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 Zoho Recruit data as a temporary table:

   scala> api_df.registerTable("attachments")

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

   scala> api_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT ,  FROM Attachments WHERE Module = Candidates").collect.foreach(println)

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

   

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