How to Query LinkedIn Data in MySQL Workbench

You can use the SQL Gateway from the ODBC Driver for LinkedIn to query LinkedIn data through a MySQL interface. Follow the procedure below to start the MySQL remoting service of the SQL Gateway and work with live LinkedIn data in MySQL Workbench.

Connect to LinkedIn Data

If you have not already done so, provide values for the required connection properties in the data source name (DSN). You can use the built-in Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to configure the DSN. This is also the last step of the driver installation. See the "Getting Started" chapter in the help documentation for a guide to using the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure a DSN.

LinkedIn uses the OAuth 2 authentication standard. Obtain the OAuthClientId and OAuthClientSecret by registering an app with LinkedIn. For more information refer to our authentication guide.

Configure the SQL Gateway

See the SQL Gateway Overview to set up connectivity to LinkedIn data as a virtual MySQL database. You will configure a MySQL remoting service that listens for MySQL requests from clients. The service can be configured in the SQL Gateway UI.

👁 Creating a MySQL Remoting Service in SQL Gateway (Salesforce is shown)

Query LinkedIn from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual LinkedIn database created in the SQL Gateway from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live LinkedIn data.

Connect to LinkedIn through the SQL Gateway

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData SQL Gateway for LinkedIn).
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.

NOTE: When we refer to Username and Password, we mean the credentials for the user(s) created for the SQL Gateway.

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Query LinkedIn Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData SQL Gateway for LinkedIn).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve LinkedIn data, like SELECT * FROM `CData LinkedIn Sys`.CompanyStatusUpdates;

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With access to live LinkedIn data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily work with LinkedIn, just like you would a MySQL database. Get started now with a free, 30-day trial of the CData ODBC Driver for LinkedIn and the CData SQL Gateway.