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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for SAP Ariba Source

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to SAP Ariba Source Data

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

   In order to connect with SAP Ariba Source, set the following:

   • API: Specify which API you would like the provider to retrieve SAP Ariba data from. Select the Supplier, Sourcing Project Management, or Contract API based on your business role (possible values are SupplierDataAPIWithPaginationV4, SourcingProjectManagementAPIV2, or ContractAPIV1).
   • DataCenter: The data center where your account's data is hosted.
   • Realm: The name of the site you want to access.
   • Environment: Indicate whether you are connecting to a test or production environment (possible values are TEST or PRODUCTION).

   If you are connecting to the Supplier Data API or the Contract API, additionally set the following:

   • User: Id of the user on whose behalf API calls are invoked.
   • PasswordAdapter: The password associated with the authenticating User.

   If you're connecting to the Supplier API, set ProjectId to the Id of the sourcing project you want to retrieve data from.

   Authenticating with OAuth

   After setting connection properties, you need to configure OAuth connectivity to authenticate.

   • Set AuthScheme to OAuthClient.
   • Register an application with the service to obtain the APIKey, OAuthClientId and OAuthClientSecret.

     For more information on creating an OAuth application, refer to the Help documentation.

   Automatic OAuth

   After setting the following, you are ready to connect:

   APIKey: The Application key in your app settings. OAuthClientId: The OAuth Client Id in your app settings. OAuthClientSecret: The OAuth Secret in your app settings.

   When you connect, the provider automatically completes the OAuth process:

   1. The provider obtains an access token from SAP Ariba and uses it to request data.
   2. The provider refreshes the access token automatically when it expires.
   3. The OAuth values are saved in memory relative to the location specified in OAuthSettingsLocation.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.saparibasource.jar

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

   Configure the connection to SAP Ariba Source, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val saparibasource_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:saparibasource:API=SupplierDataAPIWithPagination-V4;APIKey=wWVLn7WTAXrIRMAzZ6VnuEj7Ekot5jnU;Environment=SANDBOX;Realm=testRealm;AuthScheme=OAuthClient;").option("dbtable","Vendors").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.saparibasource.SAPAribaSourceDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the SAP Ariba Source data as a temporary table:

   scala> saparibasource_df.registerTable("vendors")

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

   scala> saparibasource_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT SMVendorID, Category FROM Vendors WHERE Region = USA").collect.foreach(println)

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

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