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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Sybase IQ

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Sybase IQ Data

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

   To connect to SybaseIQ, set User, Password, Server and Database properties. To secure connections with TLS/SSL, set UseSSL to TRUE.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.sybaseiq.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Sybase IQ, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val sybaseiq_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:sybaseiq:User=myuser;Password=mypassword;Server=localhost;Database=Northwind").option("dbtable","Products").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.sybaseiq.SybaseIQDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Sybase IQ data as a temporary table:

   scala> sybaseiq_df.registerTable("products")

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

   scala> sybaseiq_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT ProductName, Price FROM Products WHERE ProductName = Konbu").collect.foreach(println)

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

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