Apache Spark Books

10 Best Apache Spark Books

Apache Spark is an open-source big data framework from Apache with built-in modules related to SQL, streaming, graph processing, and machine learning. It was open-sourced in 2010, and its impact on big data and related technologies was quite evident from the start as it quickly garnered the attention of 250+ organizations with over 1000 contributors. With so many Apache Spark books available, it is hard to find the best books for self-learning purposes.

So, should you learn it? The answer depends on your interest. If you are heavily invested in big data, then Apache Spark is a must-learn for you as it will give you the necessary tool to succeed in the field. Learning Apache Spark is not easy, until and unless you start learning by online Apache Spark Course or reading the best Apache Spark books.

Here we created a list of the Best Apache Spark Books

1. Learning Spark: Lightning-Fast Big Data Analysis

If you already know Python and Scala, then Learning Spark from Holden, Andy, and Patrick is all you need. It is one of the best Apache Spark books for starters as it discusses the Spark fundamentals and architecture. It also explains core concepts such as in-memory caching, interactive shell, Spark RDD, and distributed datasets.

Learning Spark
Learning Spark: https://covers.oreillystatic.com/images/ 0636920028512/lrg.jpg

The book also demonstrates the powerful built-in libraries such as MLib, Spark Streaming, and Spark SQL. As this book is aimed to improve your practical knowledge, it also covers deployment batch, interactive, and streaming applications.

More Details: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028512.do

2. High-Performance Spark: Best Practices for Scaling and Optimizing Apache Spark

Optimization and scaling are two critical aspects of big data projects. Without these, the application will not be ready for the real world usage. That’s why you need to read the High-Performance Spark from Holden Karau and Rachel Warren. This is one of the best Apache Spark books that discusses the best practices used in optimizing and scaling Apache Spark applications.

High Performance Spark
High Performance Spark: https://covers.oreillystatic.com/images/ 0636920046967/lrg.jpg

The book is aimed at people who already have an existing knowledge of Apache Spark. By using the book, any developer, data engineer or system administrator can save hours of hard work and make the application optimized and scalable.

More Details: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920046967.do

3. Mastering Apache Spark

Mastering Apache Spark is one of the best Apache Spark books that you should only read if you have a basic understanding of Apache Spark. The book covers various Spark techniques and principles. It covers integration with third-party topics such as Databricks, H20, and Titan. The author Mike Frampton uses code examples to explain all the topics. Databricks certification is among the best Apache Spark certifications, if you want to become a certified Big Data professional, you can go with the Databricks certification.

High Performance Spark
Mastering Apache Spark: https://www.packtpub.com/big-data-and-business-intelligence/mastering-apache-spark

From this book, you will also learn to use new tools for storage and processing, evaluate graph storage, and how Spark can be used in the cloud.

More Details: https://www.packtpub.com/big-data-and-business-intelligence/mastering-apache-spark

4. Apache Spark in 24 Hours, Sams Teach Yourself

Learning a topic in-depth can take a lot of time. However, a practical workplace is fierce and requires new skills to be learned as fast as possible. And, that’s why Sams Teach Yourself series of learning a skill or topic in 24 hours are popular among professionals.

Apache Spark in 24 Hours
Apache Spark in 24 hours: https://books.google.co.in/books? id= sNPvDAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Among the list of best Apache Spark books, this book is for complete beginners as it covers everything from simple installation process to the Spark’s architecture. It also covers other topics such as Spark programming, extensions, performance and much more. So, if you want to get an idea of what Apache Spark is, this book is for you.

More Details: https://www.packtpub.com/big-data-and-business-intelligence/spark-cookbook

5. Spark Cookbook

If you are into production level work, you already know the importance of a cookbook. It can help you close small tasks quickly that are mundane and don’t require much thinking. Spark Cookbook from Rishi Yadav has over 60 recipes on Spark and its related topics. This is one of the best Apache Spark books that covers methods for different types of tasks such as configuring and installing Apache Spark, setting up development environments, building a recommendation engine using MLib, and much more.

Spark Cookbook
Image Source: https://www.packtpub.com/big-data-and-business-intelligence/spark-cookbook

Spark Cookbook is primarily aimed at working professionals, and if you want a handy cookbook at your side, this book is for you.

More Details: https://www.packtpub.com/big-data-and-business-intelligence/spark-cookbook

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6. Apache Spark GraphProcessing

Apache Spark Graph Processing by Rindra Ramamonjison is aimed at the big data developers and data scientists who are interested in improving their graphing skills while working with big data.

Apache Spark Graph Processing
Image Source: https://www.packtpub.com/big-data-and-business-intelligence/apache-spark-graph-processing

The first few chapters of the book cover a basic understanding of how you can build, process and analyze graphs. The author then quickly moves to more advanced topics in the later part of the book which covers diverse topics such as implementing graph-parallel iterative algorithms, clustering graphs and much more.

More Details: https://www.packtpub.com/big-data-and-business-intelligence/apache-spark-graph-processing

7. Advanced Analytics with Spark: Patterns for learning from Data at Scale

Advanced Analytics with Spark will not only get you familiar with the Spark programming model but also its ecosystem, general approaches in data science and much more. This book by Sandy, Uri, Sean, and Josh is aimed at data scientists and developers who are interested in learning advanced techniques that work with large-scale data analytics.

Advanced Analytics with Spark
Image Source: https://covers. oreillystatic.com/images/0636920035091/lrg.jpg

The book starts with a basic introduction to Spark’s ecosystem to ensure that the learning curve is not exponential. The later chapters cover how you can apply different patterns using techniques such as collaborative filtering, clustering classification, and anomaly detection. This book is very useful and handy for one who is working in the field of security, genomics, and finance.

More Details: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920035091.do

8. Spark: The Definite Guide: Big Data Processing Made Simple

I don’t recommend books that are yet to reach the market, but this book deserves mention. The book, “Spark: The Definite Guide,” is written is by Bill Chambers and Matei Zaharia and is published by O’Reilly.

Spark: The Definitive Guide
Image Source: The Definitive Guide: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920034957.do

The initial impressions of the book look good. Also, if you go through the topics covered in the book, you will see how the book covers almost every aspect of Apache Spark. The book is primarily aimed at beginners and covers almost every single aspect of the Apache.

More Details: http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920034957.do

9. Spark GraphX in Action

Without visuals, it is next to impossible to convince anyone in the marketing field. GraphX is a graph processing API that works over Spark and gives you the tool to create graphs that convey messages. It is one of the most advanced and useful API for graphical needs. The book covers practical examples of machine learning and graph processing.

Spark Graph X in Action
Image Source: https://www.manning.com/books/spark-graphx-in-action

As GraphX library is a popular library, it is covered in almost all the books we have mentioned in this article. However, none of them covers the library in-depth. So, if you are looking to improve your GraphX knowledge or graphs in general, give this book a read, and you will not be disappointed.

More Details: https://www.manning.com/books/spark-graphx-in-action

10. Big Data Analytics with Spark

Big Data Analytics with Spark is yet another one of the best Apache Spark books aimed at beginners. It starts off gently and then focuses on useful topics such as Spark-streaming and Spark SQL. This book is an excellent choice for one who wants a high-level view of the Spark’s ecosystem.

Big Data Analytics with Spark
Image Source: http://www.apress.com/us/book/9781484209653

More Details: http://www.apress.com/us/book/9781484209653

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About Aditi Malhotra

Aditi Malhotra is the Content Marketing Manager at Whizlabs. Having a Master in Journalism and Mass Communication, she helps businesses stop playing around with Content Marketing and start seeing tangible ROI. A writer by day and a reader by night, she is a fine blend of both reality and fantasy. Apart from her professional commitments, she is also endearing to publish a book authored by her very soon.

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