cshuo commented on code in PR #20459:
URL: https://github.com/apache/hudi/pull/20459#discussion_r4449857890


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rfc/rfc-116/rfc-116.md:
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+
+# RFC-116: Support Branches and Tags
+
+## Proposers
+
+- @cshuo
+- @danny0405
+
+## Approvers
+
+- TBD
+
+## Status
+
+RFC reservation: [#20456](https://github.com/apache/hudi/pull/20456)
+
+## Abstract
+
+This RFC adds writable branches and read-only tags to Hudi. The data table and 
a single metadata table (MDT) share immutable files across branches, while each 
branch has its own timelines. MDT reads follow the selected branch’s timeline. 
A working branch can publish to main through strict fast-forward. Writing the 
Data-side `_SUCCESS` publishes the paired Data/MDT state to main. Tags protect 
paired historical Data/MDT states for time-travel reads and writable branch 
creation.
+
+## Background
+
+Branches let users write and validate changes before exposing them on main. 
Tags name historical states and retain the files needed to read them; ordinary 
time travel alone does not provide that protection.
+
+This RFC covers an initial subset of 
[apache/hudi#19066](https://github.com/apache/hudi/issues/19066): isolated 
batch writes, repeatable historical reads and publication to main. Strict 
fast-forward requires inherited logical write history; completed clustering, 
compaction and log compaction only change physical layout. If main and audit 
independently change data after a common ancestor, pausing main cannot make 
audit publishable; merging divergent changes is out of scope.
+
+| Area | Scope |
+|---|---|
+| Engine | Spark batch |
+| Data | COW and MOR, table versions 8/9/10 |
+| MDT | Enabled MOR table; one physical root with shared index files |
+| Definitions | Fixed schema, keys, partition layout, merge configuration and 
index definitions |
+| Branch creation | main's latest completed commit or an unexpired tag on main 
|
+| Publication | Working branch → main, strict fast-forward |
+
+Out of scope: branch creation from working branches, versions below 8, Flink, 
streaming/incremental/CDC reads, bootstrap, merge/rebase, independent format 
upgrades per branch, external MDT service managers and non-main catalog sync.
+
+## Implementation
+
+### 1. Shared files and branch views
+
+Data and MDT branches with the same name form a pair. Each has its own 
configuration and active/archived timeline. Data files and MDT base/log files 
are shared; new writes produce immutable files. Branches can update the same 
inherited fileId independently.
+
+A new branch takes history and files from main's latest completed commit or a 
tag on main, and configuration from main. Fixed table definitions must agree 
across branches and cannot change after creation. Branch-local runtime tuning 
may differ.
+
+- **Data FSView:** Use the selected branch's MDT FILES, timeline and replace 
history. Directory listing alone does not establish membership.
+- **MDT FSView:** MDT has no nested MDT. List physical files, then filter 
their requested instants against the selected MDT branch's active and archived 
timeline **before** constructing file groups/slices. An instant older than the 
active timeline start is not proof of membership.
+
+The design enforces three invariants:
+
+1. Reads and writes stay within the selected branch's paired Data/MDT state.
+2. Publication preserves main's logical write history and tag/savepoint 
protections.
+3. Shared files remain until all protections from branches, savepoints and 
pending instants allow deletion.
+
+### 2. Branches and metadata layout
+
+Main is the default branch. Initially, its metadata stays in the Data and MDT 
root `.hoodie/` directories. Working branches use `branches/<branch-name>/`; 
publications use `branches/publications/<publication-id>/` on both sides. 
Publication directories are created only when a working branch publishes to 
main. Branch discovery excludes the reserved `publications/` directory.
+In the layouts below, `timeline/` includes active and archived history.
+
+```text
+<table>/.hoodie/
+  hoodie.properties
+  timeline/                             # initial main Data timeline
+  tags/<tag-name>.json                   # initial main tags
+  branches/
+    publications/<publication-id>/      # published main Data metadata
+      _SUCCESS                          # written last to publish the paired 
Data/MDT state
+      hoodie.properties
+      timeline/
+      tags/
+    <branch-name>/                      # working-branch Data metadata
+      branch.json
+      hoodie.properties
+      timeline/
+      tags/
+  metadata/
+    files/
+    record_index/
+    secondary_index_<index-name>/
+    .hoodie/
+      hoodie.properties
+      timeline/                         # initial main MDT timeline
+      branches/
+        publications/<publication-id>/  # paired published main MDT metadata
+          hoodie.properties
+          timeline/
+        <branch-name>/                  # paired working-branch MDT metadata
+          branch.json
+          hoodie.properties
+          timeline/
+```
+
+#### Main resolution
+
+A `publicationId` has the form `p<N>`. Under the table lock, scan all Data and 
MDT publication directories, including unfinished preparations, and choose the 
largest numeric `N` plus one (`p1` if none exist). Reserve the number before 
releasing the lock by creating the Data-side `hoodie.properties` without 
overwrite; this also makes the prefix visible on object stores. Keep the 
current successful publication. A failed preparation's number may be reused 
only after its operation and storage requests have stopped and both directories 
have been fully removed under table coordination.
+
+Before the first successful publication, main uses the paired root `.hoodie/` 
metadata. Preparation directories without `_SUCCESS` do not change that 
selection. Once published, main uses the greatest **numeric** publication 
number with a Data-side `_SUCCESS`; that ID selects both metadata directories. 
Scan all listing pages and check Data-side `_SUCCESS` files under the 
read-capture lock. Publication failure leaves the current selection unchanged; 
missing or unreadable selected metadata is an error, not permission to revert 
to an older state.
+
+Ordinary commits, maintenance and tag changes update the selected root or 
publication metadata. They do not create publication directories or change 
`_SUCCESS` or the publication ID. A publication ID identifies metadata 
directories, not a fixed data snapshot.
+
+#### Create and drop
+
+Hold the table lock throughout branch creation:
+
+1. Select main's current completed Data/MDT state, or the historical state of 
`from_tag` on main. Record the inherited main Data instant as `baseInstant` 
(null if main has no completed commits). Reject missing/expired tags and 
requested/inflight instants that could change this state.
+2. Copy the branch metadata listed below into the new paired directories, 
using main's configuration. Share Data files and MDT index files, including 
RLI/SI. Missing metadata or copy failures abort creation. Do not inherit 
pending table services as runnable work.
+3. Confirm metadata copying has completed on both sides, then write the MDT 
`branch.json` first and the Data `branch.json` last. Release the lock after 
activation or failure.
+
+Both `branch.json` files carry the same never-reused `branchId`. The Data 
`branch.json` makes the branch discoverable only when the MDT identity matches. 
Inherited tags remain protected independently of their source. Replan services 
under new instants.
+
+For `from_tag`:
+
+- Select the historical Data/MDT state protected by the paired savepoints. 
Copy the existing archived timelines, including their manifests, and exclude 
writes, replacements and table services after the tag instant from the active 
timelines.
+- Copy matching schema history and index definitions, the selected tag and 
both savepoints. Exclude unrelated tags/savepoints; reject definitions 
incompatible with main's fixed configuration.
+- Share the protected files without rebuilding data or indexes; the activated 
branch no longer depends on the source tag's protection.
+
+The following metadata is maintained per branch. Copy applicable contents for 
each Data/MDT metadata root when creating a branch or preparing a publication; 
absent optional directories need not be created.
+
+| Metadata | Contents and handling |
+|---|---|
+| `hoodie.properties` | Complete configuration: use main's configuration for 
branch creation and the captured source configuration for publication. Adjust 
metadata paths for the target. |
+| `timeline/` | Completed history, including savepoints and archived history 
with its manifests and referenced files. Preserve a consistent captured state; 
do not inherit pending instants as runnable work. |
+| `.schema/` | Completed schema history matching the captured commits, 
including historical schemas and field IDs. Exclude pending files and later 
source state. |
+| `.index_defs/index.json` or the configured index-definition file | Actual 
index definitions and versions, with configuration pointing to the target copy. 
|
+| `tags/` | Valid tag definitions. Paired Data/MDT savepoints are included in 
their respective `timeline/` directories. Applies to Data metadata. |

Review Comment:
   Changed tags to be table-wide names rather than branch-scoped names. A tag 
records the branch history and instant needed to resolve its fixed snapshot, 
and remains readable even if the working branch is dropped.



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