Chapter 7. HBase by example: OpenTSDB
This chapter covers
- Using HBase as an online time-series database
- Special properties of time-series data
- Designing an HBase schema for time series
- Storing and querying HBase using a complex rowkey
In this chapter, we want to give you a sense of what it’s like to build applications against HBase. What better way is there to learn a technology than to see first-hand how it can be used to solve a familiar problem? Rather than continuing on with our contrived example, we’ll look at an existing application: OpenTSDB. Our goal is to show you what an application backed by HBase looks like, so we won’t skimp on the gritty details.
How is building an application against HBase different than building for other databases? What are the primary concerns when designing an HBase schema? How can you take advantage of these designs when implementing your application code? These are the questions we’ll answer throughout this chapter. By the time we’re through, you’ll have a good idea of what it takes to build an application on HBase. Perhaps more important, you’ll have insight into how to think like an HBase application designer.