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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for WordPress

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to WordPress Data

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

   $ spark-shell --jars /CData/CData JDBC Driver for WordPress/lib/cdata.jdbc.wordpress.jar
   

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

   To connect to WordPress, set the URL property and other authentication properties. WordPress supports Basic (User and Password) and OAuth2.0 authentication, though Basic is recommended for a testing environment only. To connect with OAuth register an app with WordPress.

   See the Getting Started guide in the CData driver documentation for more information.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.wordpress.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 WordPress, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val wordpress_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:wordpress:Url=http://www.yourwordpresshost.com;InitiateOAuth=GETANDREFRESH;").option("dbtable","Categories").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.wordpress.WordPressDriver").load()
   

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

4. Register the WordPress data as a temporary table:

   scala> wordpress_df.registerTable("categories")

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

   scala> wordpress_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Id, Name FROM Categories WHERE Id = 1").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 WordPress in Apache Spark, you are able to perform fast and complex analytics on WordPress 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.