Use the Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery

The Simba Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) and Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) drivers for BigQuery connect your applications to BigQuery, letting you use BigQuery features with your preferred tooling and infrastructure. Generally, the JDBC driver is used with Java applications, and the ODBC driver is used otherwise.

The Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers are developed by insightsoftware, a Google Cloud Ready - BigQuery partner. As an alternative to the Simba JDBC driver, a Google-developed JDBC driver for BigQuery is available in Preview.

Limitations

The Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery are subject to the following limitations:

Before you begin

When you use the Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery, you have the option to read data with the BigQuery Storage Read API, instead of with the standard BigQuery API. In the insightsoftware documentation, this feature is called the High-Throughput API. If you plan to use this optional feature, ensure that you have the required roles.

Required roles for the High-Throughput API

To get the permissions that you need to use the High-Throughput API, ask your administrator to grant you the BigQuery Read Session User (roles/bigquery.readSessionUser) IAM role on your BigQuery project. For more information about granting roles, see Manage access to projects, folders, and organizations.

This predefined role contains the permissions required to use the High-Throughput API. To see the exact permissions that are required, expand the Required permissions section:

Required permissions

The following permissions are required to use the High-Throughput API:

  • resourcemanager.projects.get
  • resourcemanager.projects.list
  • bigquery.readsessions.create
  • bigquery.readsessions.getData
  • bigquery.readsessions.update

You might also be able to get these permissions with custom roles or other predefined roles.

Install and configure the Simba ODBC driver for BigQuery

  1. Download the 3.1.6.1026 version of the driver for your operating system:

  2. Follow the instructions in the insightsoftware installation and configuration guide.

For information on feature changes and workflow updates, see Simba Google BigQuery ODBC Data Connector Release Notes.

To see a list of previous driver versions, expand the following section:

Install and configure the Simba JDBC driver for BigQuery

  1. Download the 1.6.5.1002 version of the driver.

  2. Follow the instructions in the insightsoftware installation and configuration guide.

For information on feature changes and workflow updates, see Simba Google BigQuery JDBC Data Connector Release Notes.

To see a list of previous driver versions, expand the following section:

Support

Support for the Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery is available through standard Cloud Customer Care channels.

Pricing

You can download the Simba ODBC and JDBC drivers for BigQuery at no cost, and you don't need any additional licenses to use the drivers. However, when you use the driver, the following BigQuery pricing applies:

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