Google BigQuery Analytics

Chapter 3Getting Started with BigQuery

Throughout this book, features of BigQuery are explained using sample commands and code that you can use to develop a solid understanding of how the service works. This chapter covers the setup necessary to use the examples. This chapter focuses on quickly getting to a working environment, so you shouldn't worry if terms or concepts seem unfamiliar. Detailed explanations follow in later chapters. If you have worked with the Google Cloud Platform, you can skip sections that seem familiar. If you use BigQuery and want to understand advanced features, you can safely skip this entire chapter.

Creating a Project

BigQuery is a part of the Google Cloud Platform suite of services. To start you need a Google account. If you have an existing Google account, for example an @gmail.com e-mail address, you can use it; otherwise, you can create one at https://accounts.google.com/. This account will be your primary identity when using the service. Next, you need to set up a project to enable and manage Google APIs and cloud services.

Safeguarding Your Password

You should never enter your Google account password anywhere other than the Google login page in a browser. It is not uncommon to see passwords for databases or web APIs embedded in source code. However, this should never be the case when working with Google APIs.

Google APIs Console

The project management console is located at https://console.developers.google.com/. If you haven't created ...