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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for LinkedIn

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to LinkedIn Data

1. Open a terminal and start the Spark shell with the CData JDBC Driver for LinkedIn JAR file as the jars parameter: $ spark-shell --jars /CData/CData JDBC Driver for LinkedIn/lib/cdata.jdbc.linkedin.jar
2. With the shell running, you can connect to LinkedIn with a JDBC URL and use the SQL Context load() function to read a table. LinkedIn uses the OAuth 2 authentication standard. You will need to obtain the OAuthClientId and OAuthClientSecret by registering an app with LinkedIn. For more information refer to our authentication guide.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.linkedin.jar

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

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

   scala> val linkedin_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:linkedin:OAuthClientId=MyOAuthClientId;OAuthClientSecret=MyOAuthClientSecret;CallbackURL=http://localhost:portNumber;CompanyId=XXXXXXX").option("dbtable","CompanyStatusUpdates").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.linkedin.LinkedInDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the LinkedIn data as a temporary table:

   scala> linkedin_df.registerTable("companystatusupdates")

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

   scala> linkedin_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT VisibilityCode, Comment FROM CompanyStatusUpdates WHERE EntityId = 238").collect.foreach(println)

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

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