Using predicate push down in Spark SQL

Solr predicate push down allows queries in SearchAnalytics datacenters to use Solr-indexed columns in Spark SQL queries.

Solr predicate push down allows queries in SearchAnalytics datacenters to use Solr-indexed columns in Spark SQL queries. To enable Solr predicate push down, set the spark.sql.dse.solr.enable_optimization property to true either on a global or per-table or per-dataset basis.

The performance of DSE Search is directly related to the number of records returned in a query. Requests which require a large portion of the dataset are likely better served by a full table scan without using predicate push downs.

To enable Solr predicate push down on a Scala dataset:

val solrEnabledDataSet = spark.read
    .format("org.apache.spark.sql.cassandra")
    .options(Map( 
        "keyspace" -> "ks", 
        "table" -> "tab", 
        "spark.sql.dse.solr.enable_optimization" -> "true")
    .load()

To create a temporary table in Spark SQL with Solr predicate push down enabled:

CREATE TEMPORARY TABLE temp USING org.apache.spark.sql.cassandra OPTIONS (
table "tab",
keyspace "ks",
spark.sql.dse.solr.enable_optimization "true");

Set the spark.sql.dse.solr.enable_optimization property globally by adding it to the server configuration file.

The optimizer works on the push down level so only predicates which are being pushed to the source can be optimized. Use the explain command to see exactly what predicates are being pushed to the CassandraSourceRelation.

val query = spark.sql("query")
query.explain

<logger name="org.apache.spark.sql.SolrPredicateRules" level="DEBUG"/>