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

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

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Zoho Creator

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

Start a Spark Shell and Connect to Zoho Creator Data

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

   The connector is already registered with Zoho Creator as an OAuth application.

   If you would prefer to use your own custom OAuth app, see the Help documentation.

   Built-in Connection String Designer

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

   java -jar cdata.jdbc.zohocreator.jar

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

   Configure the connection to Zoho Creator, using the connection string generated above.

   scala> val zohocreator_df = spark.sqlContext.read.format("jdbc").option("url", "jdbc:zohocreator:AccountsServer=AccountsServer;").option("dbtable","Leave_Types").option("driver","cdata.jdbc.zohocreator.ZohoCreatorDriver").load()
3. Once you connect and the data is loaded you will see the table schema displayed.

4. Register the Zoho Creator data as a temporary table:

   scala> zohocreator_df.registerTable("leave_types")

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

   scala> zohocreator_df.sqlContext.sql("SELECT ID, Leave_Type FROM Leave_Types WHERE Leave_Type = Sick").collect.foreach(println)

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

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