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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Guru

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Guru Data

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

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

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

   Start by setting the Profile connection property to the location of the Guru Profile on disk (e.g. C:\profiles\Guru.apip). Next, set the ProfileSettings connection property to the connection string for Guru (see below).

   Guru API Profile Settings

   In Guru, navigate to Settings > API and click Create New API Token. Use your email address as the User and the generated token as the Password.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

   For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the Guru 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.

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

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

   scala> val api_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:api:Profile=C:\profiles\Guru.apip;ProfileSettings='User=your_email;Password=your_api_token';").option("dbtable","Analytics").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 Guru data as a temporary table:

   scala> api_df.registerTable("analytics")

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

   scala> api_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT User, Type FROM Analytics WHERE TeamId = team-12345").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 Guru in Apache Spark, you are able to perform fast and complex analytics on Guru 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.