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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Twitter Ads

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Twitter Ads Data

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

   All tables require authentication. You must use OAuth to authenticate with Twitter. OAuth requires the authenticating user to interact with Twitter using the browser. For more information, refer to the OAuth section in the Help documentation.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.twitterads.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Twitter Ads, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val twitterads_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:twitterads:").option("dbtable","AdStats").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.twitterads.TwitterAdsDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Twitter Ads data as a temporary table:

   scala> twitterads_df.registerTable("adstats")

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

   scala> twitterads_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT EntityId, Entity FROM AdStats WHERE Entity = ORGANIC_TWEET").collect.foreach(println)

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

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