Data Pipeline Branching for Isolated Experimentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data pipeline systems lack a mechanism for users to experiment with changes to data transformation steps without affecting existing logic or data, and there is no effective way for multiple users to collaborate on these experiments without causing conflicts.

Innovation Solution

A branching tool is introduced that allows users to create a test branch from a master branch, enabling modifications to data transformation steps without impacting the original pipeline, and includes features for collaborative testing and merge preview to resolve conflicts before applying changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users modify data transformation steps directly in the master branch, then changes can be applied immediately, but existing logic and data may be disrupted causing conflicts and data loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of applying changesVSAvoidintegrity of existing logic and data

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the data pipeline into separate branches (master branch and test branches), allowing modifications to be isolated in test branches without affecting the master branch. This enables independent experimentation while preserving the integrity of existing logic and data in the master branch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating test branches and conducting merge previews before applying changes to the master branch. Users can experiment with modifications in test branches, review potential conflicts through merge previews, and only then merge approved changes into the master branch, preventing data loss and logic disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users collaborate on data pipeline changes simultaneously, then experimentation capability increases, but conflicts arise between different modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaborative experimentation capabilityVSAvoidconflict management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns separate test branches to different users or collaboration groups, segmenting the modification space. Each user can experiment independently in their own test branch without interfering with others' work, eliminating conflicts while maintaining collaborative capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces test branches as intermediaries between individual user modifications and the master branch. These intermediate branches serve as buffers that isolate user-specific changes, allowing multiple users to collaborate without direct conflicts, and the merge preview mechanism mediates the integration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If changes are tested and approved before implementation, then data loss is avoided, but processing resources are consumed during testing and review

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of data lossVSAvoidprocessing resources during testing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates copies of the master branch as test branches, allowing modifications to be tested in isolation. These copies enable thorough testing and approval processes without risking the original data, and the merge preview mechanism efficiently evaluates potential changes before resource-intensive implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial testing by creating lightweight test branches that replicate only the necessary components for validation. The merge preview provides a streamlined review process that evaluates changes without requiring full implementation, consuming minimal processing resources while ensuring data loss prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20230161746A1Data pipeline branching

Publication Date: 2023.05.25 PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An example method of data pipeline branching includes: identifying a master branch of a data processing pipeline comprising ordered data transformation operations, such that the master branch references a first dataset, a first logic implementing a first data transformation operation, and a second dataset resulting from applying the first logic to the first dataset; creating a first test branch of the data processing pipeline, such that the first test branch references the first dataset and a second logic implementing a second data transformation operation; generating a third dataset by applying the second logic to the initial dataset; and merging the first test branch into the master branch by causing the master branch to reference the first dataset, the second logic, and the third dataset.