Modify schema in HBase using Programs

Question

Is there a way to design or modify schema in HBase programmatically?

Answer 1

HBase schemas can be created or updated using the Apache HBase Shell or by using Admin in the Java API.
Creating table schema:

Configuration config = HBaseConfiguration.create();

HBaseAdmin admin = new HBaseAdmin(conf); // execute command through admin</span></pre>

// Instantiating table descriptor class

HTableDescriptor t1 = new HTableDescriptor(TableName.valueOf("employee"));

// Adding column families to t1

t1.addFamily(new HColumnDescriptor("professional"));

t1.addFamily(new HColumnDescriptor("personal"));

// Create the table through admin

admin.createTable(t1);

For modification:

String table = “myTable”;

admin.disableTable(table);

admin.modifyColumn(table, cf2); // modifying existing ColumnFamily

admin.enableTable(table);

Hope this helps