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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Raisers Edge NXT

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Raisers Edge NXT Data

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

   Before establishing a connection, supply the SubscriptionKey, found in the Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT Profile.

   Authenticating to Raiser's Edge NXT

   Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT uses the OAuth authentication standard. You can connect to without setting any connection properties using the embedded OAuth credentials.

   Alternatively, you can authenticate by creating a custom app to obtain the OAuthClientId, OAuthClientSecret, and CallbackURL connection properties.

   See the Help documentation for an authentication guide.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.raiseredgenxt.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Raisers Edge NXT, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val raiseredgenxt_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:raiseredgenxt:SubscriptionKey=MySubscriptionKey;OAuthClientId=MyOAuthClientId;OAuthClientSecret=MyOAuthClientSecret;CallbackURL=http://localhost:33333;").option("dbtable","Constituents").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.raiseredgenxt.RaiserEdgeNXTDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Raisers Edge NXT data as a temporary table:

   scala> raiseredgenxt_df.registerTable("constituents")

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

   scala> raiseredgenxt_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT Id, AddressLines FROM Constituents WHERE Type = Home").collect.foreach(println)

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

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