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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Google Drive

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Google Drive Data

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

   $ spark-shell --jars /CData/CData JDBC Driver for Google Drive/lib/cdata.jdbc.googledrive.jar
   

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

   You can connect to Google APIs on behalf of individual users or on behalf of a domain. Google uses the OAuth authentication standard. See the "Getting Started" section of the help documentation for a guide.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.googledrive.jar
   

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

   👁 Using the built-in connection string designer to generate a JDBC URL (Salesforce is shown.)
   

   Configure the connection to Google Drive, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val googledrive_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:googledrive:").option("dbtable","Files").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.googledrive.GoogleDriveDriver").load()
   

3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Google Drive data as a temporary table:

   scala> googledrive_df.registerTable("files")

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

   scala> googledrive_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Name, Size FROM Files WHERE Starred = true").collect.foreach(println)

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

   👁 Data in Apache Spark (Salesforce is shown)
   

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