Spark Random Forests Learner (MLlib)

This node applies the Apache Spark random forests* algorithm.

Please note that all data must be numeric, including the label column. Use the Spark Category To Number nodes to convert nominal values to numeric columns. The mapping dictionary of the converter node is the input of the second in port of this node.

Use the Spark Predictor node to apply the learned model to unseen data.

(*) RANDOM FORESTS is a registered trademark of Minitab, LLC and is used with Minitab’s permission.

Options

Settings

Target column
The classification column. Must be numeric.
Feature Columns
The feature columns to learn the model from. Supports only numeric columns.
Number of models
Number of trees in the random forest.
Max number of bins
Maximum number of bins used for splitting features.
Is classification
Select this option for binary or multiclass classification.
Quality measure
Criterion used for information gain calculation. Available methods:
  • gini (recommended)
  • entropy
For more details on the available methods see the MLlib documentation. Only available for classifications.
Max tree depth
Maximum depth of the tree. E.g., depth 0 means 1 leaf node; depth 1 means 1 internal node + 2 leaf nodes.

Advanced

Feature sampling
Number of features to consider for splits at each node. Supported:
  • auto
  • all
  • sqrt
  • log2
  • onethird
If "auto" is set, this parameter is set based on numTrees: if numTrees == 1, set to "all"; if numTrees > 1 (forest) set to "sqrt".
Seed
Random seed for bootstrapping and choosing feature subsets.

Input Ports

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Input Spark DataFrame/RDD
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PMML with the nominal values mapping dictionary

Output Ports

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Spark MLlib Random Forests Model

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Installation

To use this node in KNIME, install the extension KNIME Extension for Apache Spark (legacy) from the below update site following our NodePit Product and Node Installation Guide:

v5.9

A zipped version of the software site can be downloaded here.

Plugin provider: KNIME AG, Zurich, Switzerland
Plugin version: 5.9.0.v202511131754
On NodePit since: 2025-12-11
Last update: 2026-01-10
KNIME versions: Since v4.0

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