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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for eBay

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to eBay Data

1. Open a terminal and start the Spark shell with the CData JDBC Driver for eBay JAR file as the jars parameter: $ spark-shell --jars /CData/CData JDBC Driver for eBay/lib/cdata.jdbc.ebay.jar
2. With the shell running, you can connect to eBay with a JDBC URL and use the SQL Context load() function to read a table.

   If you will be accessing your own account, you can generate an OAuthAccessToken from your developer account dashboard. You can also allow other users to securely access their own accounts.

   Both of these methods require you to create an application key set to obtain values for the following connection properties: AppId, CertId, DevId, and SiteId.

   The user consent flow additionally requires the RuName and CallbackURL.

   See the "Getting Started" chapter in the help documentation for a guide to using OAuth.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.ebay.jar

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

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

   scala> val ebay_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:ebay:AppId=MyAppId;CertId=MyCertId;DevId=MyDevId;SiteId=MySiteId;RuName=MyRuName;CallbackURL=http://localhost:33333;").option("dbtable","ItemListing").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.ebay.EbayDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the eBay data as a temporary table:

   scala> ebay_df.registerTable("itemlisting")

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

   scala> ebay_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Title, HitCount FROM ItemListing WHERE ListingStatus = active").collect.foreach(println)

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

Using the CData JDBC Driver for eBay in Apache Spark, you are able to perform fast and complex analytics on eBay data, combining the power and utility of Spark with your data. Download a free, 30 day trial of any of the 200+ CData JDBC Drivers and get started today.