Limit the amount of data transferred

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 73 views

Introduction

Google BigQuery is a powerful, fully-managed enterprise data warehouse service that allows you to analyze data in seconds. One of the key features of BigQuery is its ability to execute SQL-like queries on large datasets. In this article, we will explore the concept of functions with query in BigQuery, specifically focusing on how to use the EXTERNAL_QUERY function to interact with external databases, such as MySQL.

What is EXTERNAL_QUERY in BigQuery?

The EXTERNAL_QUERY function in BigQuery allows you to execute a query on an external database, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server. This function is particularly useful when you need to integrate data from multiple sources or perform complex data transformations.

Creating a Function with EXTERNAL_QUERY

To create a function with EXTERNAL_QUERY, you need to specify the external database connection details, including the database name, username, password, and host. You also need to define the query that you want to execute on the external database.

Here is an example of a function that checks if a table exists in a MySQL schema:

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION check_table_exists(
  schema STRING,
  table_name STRING
)
RETURNS BOOLEAN
AS (
  EXTERNAL_QUERY(
    'SELECT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM information_schema.tables WHERE table_schema = @schema AND table_name = @table_name)',
    STRUCT(
      schema AS @schema,
      table_name AS @table_name
    )
  )
);

In this example, the function takes two input parameters: schema and table_name. The function uses the EXTERNAL_QUERY function to execute a query on the MySQL database, which checks if the specified table exists in the specified schema.

Using the Function with EXTERNAL_QUERY

To use the function with EXTERNAL_QUERY, you need to call the function and pass the required input parameters. Here is an example:

SELECT check_table_exists('my_schema', 'my_table');

This will execute the function and return a boolean value indicating whether the table exists in the specified schema.

Best Practices for Using EXTERNAL_QUERY

When using EXTERNAL_QUERY, keep the following best practices in mind:

Use secure connections: Make sure to use secure connections to the external database, such as SSL/TLS.
Use parameterized queries: Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks.
Limit the amount of data transferred: Limit the amount of data transferred between BigQuery and the external database to prevent performance issues.
Monitor performance: Monitor the performance of your queries and adjust the query plan as needed.

Common Use Cases for EXTERNAL_QUERY

The EXTERNAL_QUERY function has a wide range of use cases, including:

Data integration: Use EXTERNAL_QUERY to integrate data from multiple sources, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server.
Data transformation: Use EXTERNAL_QUERY to perform complex data transformations, such as data aggregation or data cleansing.
Data validation: Use EXTERNAL_QUERY to validate data against external sources, such as a database or a file.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the concept of functions with query in BigQuery, specifically focusing on how to use the EXTERNAL_QUERY function to interact with external databases, such as MySQL. We also discussed best practices for using EXTERNAL_QUERY and common use cases for this function. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can effectively use EXTERNAL_QUERY to integrate data from multiple sources, perform complex data transformations, and validate data against external sources.

Additional Resources

For more information on BigQuery and EXTERNAL_QUERY, refer to the following resources:

BigQuery documentation: https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs
EXTERNAL_QUERY documentation: https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/reference/standard-sql/functions-and-operators#external_query
BigQuery tutorials: https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/tutorials

Example Use Cases

Here are some example use cases for EXTERNAL_QUERY:

Example 1: Data Integration

Suppose you have a MySQL database with customer information and a BigQuery dataset with sales data. You want to integrate the customer information with the sales data to analyze customer behavior.

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION integrate_customer_data(
  customer_schema STRING,
  customer_table_name STRING,
  sales_dataset STRING,
  sales_table_name STRING
)
RETURNS TABLE (
  customer_id STRING,
  customer_name STRING,
  sales_amount DECIMAL(10, 2)
)
AS (
  EXTERNAL_QUERY(
    'SELECT c.customer_id, c.customer_name, s.sales_amount
     FROM @customer_schema.@customer_table_name c
     JOIN @sales_dataset.@sales_table_name s ON c.customer_id = s.customer_id',
    STRUCT(
      customer_schema AS @customer_schema,
      customer_table_name AS @customer_table_name,
      sales_dataset AS @sales_dataset,
      sales_table_name AS @sales_table_name
    )
  )
);

Example 2: Data Transformation

Suppose you have a PostgreSQL database with sales data and you want to transform the data into a format that can be easily analyzed in BigQuery.

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION transform_sales_data(
  sales_schema STRING,
  sales_table_name STRING
)
RETURNS TABLE (
  sales_date DATE,
  sales_amount DECIMAL(10, 2),
  sales_region STRING
)
AS (
  EXTERNAL_QUERY(
    'SELECT EXTRACT(DATE FROM sales_date) AS sales_date,
           sales_amount,
           sales_region
     FROM @sales_schema.@sales_table_name',
    STRUCT(
      sales_schema AS @sales_schema,
      sales_table_name AS @sales_table_name
    )
  )
);

Example 3: Data Validation

Suppose you have a MySQL database with customer information and you want to validate the customer information against a file containing customer data.

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION validate_customer_data(
  customer_schema STRING,
  customer_table_name STRING,
  file_path STRING
)
RETURNS TABLE (
  customer_id STRING,
  customer_name STRING,
  validation_result BOOLEAN
)
AS (
  EXTERNAL_QUERY(
    'SELECT c.customer_id, c.customer_name,
           CASE
             WHEN f.customer_id IS NULL THEN FALSE
             ELSE TRUE
           END AS validation_result
     FROM @customer_schema.@customer_table_name c
     LEFT JOIN @file_path f ON c.customer_id = f.customer_id',
    STRUCT(
      customer_schema AS @customer_schema,
      customer_table_name AS @customer_table_name,
      file_path AS @file_path
    )
  )
);

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concept of functions with query in BigQuery, specifically focusing on how to use the EXTERNAL_QUERY function to interact with external databases, such as MySQL. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about functions with query in BigQuery.

Q: What is the difference between EXTERNAL_QUERY and SQL Query?

A: EXTERNAL_QUERY is a function in BigQuery that allows you to execute a query on an external database, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server. SQL Query, on the other hand, is a standard SQL query that can be executed on a BigQuery dataset. While both can be used to retrieve data, EXTERNAL_QUERY is specifically designed to interact with external databases.

Q: How do I use EXTERNAL_QUERY to connect to an external database?

A: To use EXTERNAL_QUERY to connect to an external database, you need to specify the external database connection details, including the database name, username, password, and host. You can do this by creating a service account and granting it the necessary permissions to access the external database.

Q: What are the benefits of using EXTERNAL_QUERY?

A: The benefits of using EXTERNAL_QUERY include:

Improved data integration: EXTERNAL_QUERY allows you to integrate data from multiple sources, including external databases.
Increased flexibility: EXTERNAL_QUERY provides a flexible way to interact with external databases, allowing you to perform complex data transformations and validations.
Enhanced security: EXTERNAL_QUERY uses secure connections to external databases, ensuring that your data is protected.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with EXTERNAL_QUERY?

A: To troubleshoot issues with EXTERNAL_QUERY, you can:

Check the error message: The error message will provide information about the issue, such as a syntax error or a connection issue.
Verify the connection details: Make sure that the connection details, including the database name, username, password, and host, are correct.
Check the permissions: Ensure that the service account has the necessary permissions to access the external database.

Q: Can I use EXTERNAL_QUERY with other BigQuery features?

A: Yes, you can use EXTERNAL_QUERY with other BigQuery features, such as:

BigQuery ML: EXTERNAL_QUERY can be used to integrate data from external databases with BigQuery ML models.
BigQuery Data Transfer: EXTERNAL_QUERY can be used to transfer data from external databases to BigQuery.
BigQuery Data Fusion: EXTERNAL_QUERY can be used to integrate data from external databases with BigQuery Data Fusion pipelines.

Q: Are there any limitations to using EXTERNAL_QUERY?

A: Yes, there are some limitations to using EXTERNAL_QUERY, including:

Performance: EXTERNAL_QUERY can be slower than standard SQL queries due to the overhead of connecting to an external database.
Security: EXTERNAL_QUERY uses secure connections to external databases, but this can also introduce additional security risks.
Complexity: EXTERNAL_QUERY can be more complex to use than standard SQL queries, requiring additional setup and configuration.

Q: How do I get started with EXTERNAL_QUERY?

A: To get started with EXTERNAL_QUERY, you can:

Create a service account: Create a service account and grant it the necessary permissions to access the external database.
Set up the external database connection: Set up the external database connection details, including the database name, username, password, and host.
Create a function with EXTERNAL_QUERY: Create a function with EXTERNAL_QUERY to interact with the external database.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some of the most frequently asked questions about functions with query in BigQuery, specifically focusing on EXTERNAL_QUERY. We hope that this article has provided you with a better understanding of how to use EXTERNAL_QUERY to interact with external databases and integrate data from multiple sources.

Additional Resources

For more information on BigQuery and EXTERNAL_QUERY, refer to the following resources:

BigQuery documentation: https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs
EXTERNAL_QUERY documentation: https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/reference/standard-sql/functions-and-operators#external_query
BigQuery tutorials: https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/tutorials

Example Use Cases

Here are some example use cases for EXTERNAL_QUERY:

Example 1: Data Integration

Suppose you have a MySQL database with customer information and a BigQuery dataset with sales data. You want to integrate the customer information with the sales data to analyze customer behavior.

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION integrate_customer_data(
  customer_schema STRING,
  customer_table_name STRING,
  sales_dataset STRING,
  sales_table_name STRING
)
RETURNS TABLE (
  customer_id STRING,
  customer_name STRING,
  sales_amount DECIMAL(10, 2)
)
AS (
  EXTERNAL_QUERY(
    'SELECT c.customer_id, c.customer_name, s.sales_amount
     FROM @customer_schema.@customer_table_name c
     JOIN @sales_dataset.@sales_table_name s ON c.customer_id = s.customer_id',
    STRUCT(
      customer_schema AS @customer_schema,
      customer_table_name AS @customer_table_name,
      sales_dataset AS @sales_dataset,
      sales_table_name AS @sales_table_name
    )
  )
);

Example 2: Data Transformation

Suppose you have a PostgreSQL database with sales data and you want to transform the data into a format that can be easily analyzed in BigQuery.

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION transform_sales_data(
  sales_schema STRING,
  sales_table_name STRING
)
RETURNS TABLE (
  sales_date DATE,
  sales_amount DECIMAL(10, 2),
  sales_region STRING
)
AS (
  EXTERNAL_QUERY(
    'SELECT EXTRACT(DATE FROM sales_date) AS sales_date,
           sales_amount,
           sales_region
     FROM @sales_schema.@sales_table_name',
    STRUCT(
      sales_schema AS @sales_schema,
      sales_table_name AS @sales_table_name
    )
  )
);

Example 3: Data Validation

Suppose you have a MySQL database with customer information and you want to validate the customer information against a file containing customer data.

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION validate_customer_data(
  customer_schema STRING,
  customer_table_name STRING,
  file_path STRING
)
RETURNS TABLE (
  customer_id STRING,
  customer_name STRING,
  validation_result BOOLEAN
)
AS (
  EXTERNAL_QUERY(
    'SELECT c.customer_id, c.customer_name,
           CASE
             WHEN f.customer_id IS NULL THEN FALSE
             ELSE TRUE
           END AS validation_result
     FROM @customer_schema.@customer_table_name c
     LEFT JOIN @file_path f ON c.customer_id = f.customer_id',
    STRUCT(
      customer_schema AS @customer_schema,
      customer_table_name AS @customer_table_name,
      file_path AS @file_path
    )
  )
);

These are just a few examples of how you can use EXTERNAL_QUERY to integrate data from multiple sources, perform complex data transformations, and validate data against external sources. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can effectively use EXTERNAL_QUERY to meet your data integration and transformation needs.