Sqoop Interview Questions

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Top Sqoop Interview Questions and Answers

Q1) Give a basic introduction to Sqoop

When it comes to transferring data between relational database servers and Hadoop, you should know that Sqoop is one of the best tools. In order to be more specific, you should use it in importing data from various types of relational databases. It is important for you to note that you can import data from varied types of databases such as MySQL, HDFS, and Hadoop. It is also interesting to note that you have the option to export data from the Hadoop file with the help of Sqoop. This functionality is being provided by the Apache Software Foundation.

It is also important to mention that Sqoop utilizes two main tools. They are in the form of Sqoop export and Sqoop import. With the help of these two tools, you can now extract data information from varied types of databases.

Q2) Shed light on the versatile features of Sqoop

It is important to note that Apache Sqoop is also known as a tool in the Hadoop ecosystem which carries with it several benefits. Here is the list of them.

• Import and export in a parallel manner
• It supports Accumulo
• Compression of data
• Full load taking capabilities
• Incremental load-bearing capabilities
• Security Integration in a proper way
• Can connect a majority of RDBMS databases It can depict results related to the queries of SQL

Q3) How can you import large objects like BLOB and CLOB in Sqoop?

The direct import function is not supported by Sqoop in the case of CLOB and BLOB objects. Hence, if you have to import for large purposes, you can use JDBC-based imports. This can be done without introducing the direct argument of the import utility.

Q4) What is the default database of Apache Sqoop?

The default database of Apache Sqoop is MySQL.

Q5) Describe the process of executing a free-form SQL query to import rows

To achieve a free-form SQL query, you have to use the –m1 option. This would create only one MapReduce task. This would then import the rows directly.

Q6) Describe the importance of using –compress-codec parameter

The –compress-codec parameter can be used to get the export file of the Sqoop import in the mentioned formats.

Q7) What is the significance of the Eval tool?

Sqoop Eval would help you to make use of the sample SQL queries. This can be against the database as it can preview the results that are displayed on the console. Interestingly, with the help of the Eval tool, you would be well aware of the fact that the desired data can be imported correctly or not.

Q8) What is the meaning of Free form import in Sqoop?

With the use of Sqoop, one can import the relational database query. This can be done using column and table name parameters.

Q9) Shed light on the advantage of utilizing –password-file rather than –P option

The –password-file option is usually used inside the Sqoop script file. On the other hand, the –P option is able to read the standard input along with the column name parameters.

Q10) Is the JDBC driver fully capable to connect Sqoop to the databases?

The JDBC driver is not capable to connect Sqoop to the databases. This is the reason that Sqoop requires both the connector and JDBC driver.

Q11) What is the meaning of Input Split in Hadoop?

Input Split is that kind of function which is associated with splitting the input files into various chunks. These chunks can also assign each split to a mapper in the ongoing process of data correction.

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12) Illustrate the utility of the Help Command in Sqoop

The help command in Sqoop can be utilized to list the various available commands. 

13) Shed light on the service of Codegen command in Sqoop

The Codegen command is associated with the generation of code so that it can appropriately interact with the database records. 

Q14) Describe the procedure involved in executing an incremental data load in Sqoop

You should be well aware of the fact that in Sqoop, the process of performing additional data load is to update the uploaded data. This data is often referred to as delta data. In Sqoop, this delta data can be altered with the use of incremental load command. Additionally, it can be said that with the help of Sqoop, the import command can also perform additional load. By loading the data into the hive without overwriting it, its efficiency can be maintained in a significant manner. This is possible only with the help of incremental data load.

It is also essential for you to illustrate the various types of incremental data load. They are as follows:

Progressive Mode: This variety usually determines the number of new rows. Moreover, it also possesses a value that can best resemble the Append functions.

Value: This denotes the maximum amount that is derived from the check column from the previous import operation.

The Check Column feature: This function is helpful in specifying the number of columns that should be assessed to determine the number of rows to be imported.

Q15) Illustrate the process of listing all the columns of a table with the help of Apache Sqoop

To contain all the columns, you do not have any direct command like the Sqoop indexed columns. However, you can also indirectly achieve this. You can do that by retrieving the columns of the desired tables. After that, you can redirect them to a set of files that can be viewed in a standard manner. This also contains the columns of a particular table.

Q16) What is the default file format in order to import data with the utilization of Apache Sqoop?

At the time of answering this question, you should know that there are two file formats that can be used in the case of importing data. These are as follows:

Sequencing the file format

It is a commonly observed fact that a sequence file format is also known by the name of binary file format. The records of these binary file formats are usually stored in the custom record data types. Moreover, Sqoop can automatically create varied data types and also manifests them in the form of Java classes.

Delimiting the text file format

This is the usual file format in importing data. Additionally, it can be said that in order to avail the import command in Sqoop, this file format can be specified. You can specify the file format with the use of the text file argument command. On the other hand, when you pass this argument, you would produce a string-based representation of varied types of records. You can also create the output files with the use of delimited characters between columns and rows.

Q17) List all the basic commands in Apache Sqoop along with their applications

The basic controls in Apache Sqoop along with their uses are:

• Export: This function helps to export the HDFS directory into a database table
• List Tables: This function would help the user to list all tables in a particular database.
• Codegen: This function would help you to generate code so that you can interact with varied types of database records.
• Create: This function allows a user to import the table definition within the hive of databases.
• Eval: This function would always help you to assess the SQL statement and display the results.
• Version: This function would help you to depict the information related to the text of the database.
• Import all tables: This function would help a user to import all the tables from a database to HDFS.
• List all the databases: This function would assist a user to create a list of the available databases on a particular server.

Related Article: What is Apache Hadoop Sqoop

Q18) What is the meaning of Sqoop Validation?

It refers to the manner in which data validation happens when it is copied. It can also be executed by either exporting or importing the data. It can also be done with the help of a basic comparison between the row counts from the source. You can also opt to use the option to make sure that you are comparing the row counts between the target as well as the source. During the time of the imports, all the rows can be deleted and added. In this context, it is important to note that during the whole process, Sqoop keeps a tab on the changes that have been affected.

Q19) What are the limitations of importing the RDBMS tables into the Hcatalog directly?

In order to import the tables into the Hcatalog in a direct manner, you have to make sure that you are using the –Hcatalog database option. However, in this process, you would face a limitation of importing the tables. It is in the form of the fact that this option does not support a plethora of arguments like –direct, –as-Avro file, and -export-dir.

Q20) Shed light on the procedure of updating the rows that have been directly exported

In order to update the existing rows that have been exported, you have to use a particular parameter. This parameter is in the form of an update key. You can also opt to use a list of comma-separated commands. This would help you to identify a row in a unique fashion. A majority of the columns are used in the Where clause of the update query that has been already been generated. Moreover, all the other types of table columns should be used in the SET portion of the generated query.

Q21) What is the significance of the Sqoop Import Mainframe tool? 

The Sqoop Import Mainframe tool can also be used to import all the important datasets which lie in a partitioned dataset. The partitioned dataset is also known as PDS. The PDS is also known as a directory on varied types of open systems. It is important for you to note that in a dataset, the various types of records would be stored as a single text field with the help of the entire record. This tool would always help you to make sure that you are importing the right types of data tools and that too in a proper manner.

Q22) Define Sqoop metastore

It is also known as a shared metadata repository with the help of which the local users can execute and define various types of list tables. In order to connect to the metastore, you have to make changes to the Sqoop –site.xml.

Q23) Does Sqoop uses the maps to reduce function? If it does then shed light on the reasons

Apache Sqoop also uses the Map-Reduce function of Hadoop to obtain data from the relational databases. During the process of importing data, Sqoop controls the mappers and their numbers. The mappers who access RDBMS come across denial of service attacks. Hence, it can be said that with the help of Sqoop, big data can be efficiently managed.

Q24) Describe the practicality of opting for Sqoop nowadays

Apache Sqoop is regarded as an excellent help for those individuals who face challenges in transferring data out of the data warehouse. It is also used for importing data from RDBMS to HDFS. With the help of Sqoop, the users can also import more than one table. Interestingly, with the use of Apache Sqoop, the data-selected columns can be easily exported. Furthermore, Sqoop is also compatible with a majority of JDBC databases. Here is the list of questions that would help you to crack the Sqoop interview.

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