Data Pipeline Creation via Environmental Flags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Creating data pipelines can be challenging, especially when there are multiple and/or branching transformation steps with dependencies, as existing methods lack flexibility and effective tracking of dataset modifications and dependencies in console environments.
Innovation Solution
A method using a console namespace with environmental flags to track dataset access and modifications, updating line dependencies, and generating hashed values to infer data pipelines through a command line interface, allowing flexible management and inference of data pipelines analogous to graphical user interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data pipelines are created using traditional console environments, then command line flexibility is maintained, but tracking dataset modifications and dependencies becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces environmental flags as an intermediary mechanism between console commands and dataset states. These flags automatically track which datasets are accessed and modified by each command, serving as a mediator that captures dependency information without requiring explicit user input or complex manual tracking procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service tracking where the console environment automatically updates environmental flags and line dependencies without user intervention. The hashing mechanism autonomously detects dataset modifications by comparing hash values before and after command execution, enabling the system to self-track dependencies and modifications throughout the data pipeline creation process.
2Loss of information
If manual tracking of dataset dependencies is implemented, then dependency information can be captured, but the complexity of the console environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining environmental flags for each dataset before commands are executed. These flags are prepared in advance to capture access and modification information, eliminating the need for complex post-execution analysis or manual dependency tracking procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking procedures with automated computational mechanisms. Hashing functions automatically compute dataset fingerprints, and environmental flags systematically record dependencies, substituting complex manual tracking operations with streamlined computational processes that reduce overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If hashing of all accessed datasets is performed to detect modifications, then accurate modification detection is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by hashing only the subsets of datasets that are actually accessed by each command, rather than hashing all datasets in the environment. Environmental flags track which datasets are accessed, allowing the system to perform hashing selectively on relevant datasets only, reducing unnecessary computational overhead while maintaining accurate modification detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method comprises receiving one or more data transformation commands through a console in a console session, the one or more data transformation commands relating to one or more initial datasets; executing the one or more data transformation commands using the one or more initial datasets to modify at least one of the one or more initial datasets to generate a modified dataset; generating a set of environment flags for the command to indicate that the one or more initial datasets has been accessed and the at least one dataset that has been modified; and updating a set of line dependencies based on the generated set of environmental flags and previously generated sets of environmental flags for one or more previously executed commands.