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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for SAP BusinessObjects BI

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to SAP BusinessObjects BI Data

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

   To connect to your SAP Business Objects BI instance, you must set the following connection properties:

   • Url: set this to the rest API URL. After logging into the Central Management Console, choose 'Applications' from the combo box. Double-click on 'RESTful Web Service' and you'll see the access URL. By default it is, http://{Server-Name}:6405/biprws.
   • User: set this to the username of your instance.
   • Password: set this to the password of your instance.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.sapbusinessobjectsbi.jar

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

   Configure the connection to SAP BusinessObjects BI, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val sapbusinessobjectsbi_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:sapbusinessobjectsbi:User=username;Password=password;Url=http://myinstance:6405/biprws").option("dbtable","MyCustomReport").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.sapbusinessobjectsbi.SAPBusinessObjectsBIDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the SAP BusinessObjects BI data as a temporary table:

   scala> sapbusinessobjectsbi_df.registerTable("mycustomreport")

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

   scala> sapbusinessobjectsbi_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT StoreName, TotalRevenue FROM MyCustomReport WHERE State = CA").collect.foreach(println)

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

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