JSON File Connector for Talend Studio

JSON File Connector can be used to extract and output JSON data stored in local files or direct JSON String (variables or DB columns). JSON Connector also supports JSONPath to filter data from nested array/sub-documents. This Connector is optimized to work with very large files.

In this article you will learn how to quickly and efficiently integrate JSON File data in Talend Studio without coding. We will use high-performance JSON File Connector to easily connect to JSON File and then access the data inside Talend Studio.

Let's follow the steps below to see how we can accomplish that!

Download Documentation

JSON File Connector for Talend Studio is based on ZappySys JSON Driver which is part of ODBC PowerPack. It is a collection of high-performance ODBC drivers that enable you to integrate data in SQL Server, SSIS, a programming language, or any other ODBC-compatible application. ODBC PowerPack supports various file formats, sources and destinations, including REST/SOAP API, SFTP/FTP, storage services, and plain files, to mention a few.

Create Data Source in Data Gateway based on ZappySys JSON Driver

In this section we will create a data source for JSON File in Data Gateway. Let's follow these steps to accomplish that:

Download and install ODBC PowerPack.
Search for gateway in Windows Start Menu and open ZappySys Data Gateway Configuration:
Go to Users tab and follow these steps to add a Data Gateway user:
- Click Add button
- In Login field enter username, e.g., john
- Then enter a Password
- Check Is Administrator checkbox
- Click OK to save
Now we are ready to add a data source:
- Click Add button
- Give Datasource a name (have it handy for later)
- Then select Native - ZappySys JSON Driver
- Finally, click OK
JsonFileDSN

ZappySys JSON Driver

You can use pass single file or multiple file path using wildcard pattern in path and you can use select single file by clicking [...] path button or multiple file using wildcard pattern in path.

Note: If you want to operation with multiple files then use wild card pattern as below 
(when you use wild card pattern in source path then system will treat target path as folder regardless you end with slash)

C:\SSIS\Test\reponse.json (will read only single reponse.json file)
C:\SSIS\Test\j*.json (all files starting with file name)
C:\SSIS\Test\*.json (all files with .json Extension and located under folder subfolder)

Now enter JSONPath expression in Array Filter textbox to extract only specific part of JSON file as below ($.value[*] will get content of value attribute from JSON document. Value attribute is array of JSON documents so we have to use [*] to indicate we want all records of that array)

NOTE: Here, We are using our desired filter, but you need to select your desired filter based on your requirement.

Click on Test Connection button to view whether the Test Connection is SUCCESSFUL or Not.

$.value[*]
Once you configured a data source, you can preview data. Hit Preview tab, and use similar settings to preview data:
Click OK to finish creating the data source
That's it; we are done. In a few clicks we configured the call to JSON File using ZappySys JSON File Connector
Very important step. Now, after creating or modifying the data source make sure you:
- Click the Save button to persist your changes.
- Hit Yes, once asked if you want to restart the Data Gateway service.
This will ensure all changes are properly applied:

Skipping this step may result in the new settings not taking effect and, therefore you will not be able to connect to the data source.

Read JSON File data in Talend Studio

To read JSON File data in Talend Studio, we'll need to complete several steps. Let's get through them all right away!

This article is compatible with Talend Open Studio (a free version, currently retired by Qlik). If you don't have it, you can still purchase a shareware version of Talend Studio from Qlik.

Create connection for input

First of all, open Talend Studio
Create a new connection:
Select Microsoft SQL Server connection:
Name your connection:
Fill-in connection parameters and then click Test connection:

JsonFileDSN
If the List of modules not installed for this operation window shows up, then download and install all of them:
Review and accept all additional module license agreements during the process
Finally, you should see a successful connection test result at the end:

Add input

Once we have a connection to ZappySys Data Gateway created, we can proceed by creating a job:
Simply drag and drop ZappySys Data Gateway connection onto the job:
Then create an input based on ZappySys Data Gateway connection:
Continue by configuring a SQL query and click Guess schema button:
Finish by configuring the schema, for example: