Hi Yun,

That's my mistake; I might have misinterpreted Laurent's last comment.

You made the right call on the merge.

Thanks!

Regards,
JB

Le lun. 24 nov. 2025 à 18:40, yun zou <[email protected]> a écrit :

> Hi JB,
>
> Sorry about that!
>
> I went ahead with the merge since Laurent mentioned he was ok to move
> forward as long as the rest of the community had reached consensus, and it
> seemed that most people were aligned. I’m happy to revert it if you prefer.
>
> Regarding the limitations: the current documentation already includes a
> clear section outlining the feature’s limitations [1]. If there are
> additional points you think should be covered, just let me know and I can
> definitely add them in.
>
> [1]: https://polaris.apache.org/releases/1.2.0/generic-table/
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Yun
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 24, 2025 at 1:13 AM Jean-Baptiste Onofré <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I noticed that PR #3096 was merged before this discussion reached a
>> clear consensus. Moving forward, I think it would be beneficial to
>> ensure we have community consensus before merging, especially without
>> an update on the thread.
>>
>> Regarding Laurent's concerns, I am fine with removing the "beta" flag
>> for the Generic Table API, however, I suggest updating the Generic
>> Table documentation to clearly state its current limitations and
>> proposed future evolutions.
>>
>> Since documenting the limitations is not a blocker for the upcoming
>> release, I propose we proceed with the 1.3.0-incubating release and
>> address the documentation update immediately following the release.
>>
>> Regards,
>> JB
>>
>> On Sat, Nov 22, 2025 at 3:17 PM Jean-Baptiste Onofré <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > Sorry I meant 1.3.0-incubating and 1.4.0-incubating in terms of
>> releases.
>> >
>> > Le sam. 22 nov. 2025 à 11:27, Jean-Baptiste Onofré <[email protected]> a
>> écrit :
>> >>
>> >> Hi All,
>> >>
>> >> I understand Laurent’s points and agree with the sentiment regarding
>> >> the API’s future evolution. The current Generic Table API, despite its
>> >> limitations (like the Delta and CSV support demonstrates), is
>> >> functional.
>> >>
>> >> As a community, we need to achieve consensus on this topic. Consensus
>> >> does not require unanimous agreement on every detail but means the
>> >> project has reached a decision or compromise that everyone can accept.
>> >> Specifically, using lazy consensus means we can proceed unless there
>> >> is a legitimate objection accompanied by an alternative approach for
>> >> discussion.
>> >>
>> >> To move toward consensus and incorporate Laurent's concerns, I propose
>> >> the following compromise:
>> >>
>> >> 1. Keep the "beta" flag for the upcoming 1.2.0-incubating release.
>> >> 2. Re-evaluate and aim to remove the "beta" label for the
>> >> 1.3.0-incubating release.
>> >>
>> >> For the 1.3.0-incubating release to proceed without the "beta" label,
>> >> I suggest we clearly document the existing limitations of the Generic
>> >> Table API and reference the relevant discussions/issues concerning its
>> >> evolution (specifically the issues for schema support and credential
>> >> vending, as well as the Common Table API proposal).
>> >>
>> >> Does this compromise seem reasonable to everyone?
>> >>
>> >> If this approach does not gain approval, we can initiate a formal
>> >> vote, though I believe that may be unnecessary here.
>> >>
>> >> Regards,
>> >> JB
>> >>
>> >> On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM yun zou <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > Hi Laurent,
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks a lot for the input! I fully agree that there’s still plenty
>> of room
>> >> > for improvement before this feature reaches a perfect state.
>> Meanwhile,
>> >> > since the feature is already attracting interest, I think it would be
>> >> > valuable to remove the “beta” label so we can draw wider attention
>> and
>> >> > collect more feedback to help it evolve in the right direction.
>> >> >
>> >> > As JB pointed out, this won’t block the evolution of the API. If we
>> need to
>> >> > introduce a V2 in the future, I think that’s perfectly fine—it would
>> show
>> >> > that the Polaris community is committed to continuously improving and
>> >> > supporting non-Iceberg standards.
>> >> >
>> >> > Since we’ve mostly aligned on removing the beta label, how about we
>> proceed
>> >> > with that?
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > Best Regards,
>> >> > Yun
>> >> >
>> >> > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM Laurent Goujon <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > > Sorry didn't want to be difficult but I was just hoping we could
>> address
>> >> > > some of the possible issuers we flagged when we decided to add the
>> beta
>> >> > > status to the api in the first place. I agree there's some great
>> interest
>> >> > > for it (we have been chatting about it also at the south bay meet
>> up this
>> >> > > week) but I don't know about adoption? But I also respect the
>> willingness
>> >> > > to move fast even if I think that keeping a beta flag for a long
>> period of
>> >> > > time is not necessarily a bad thing (maybe in the future we can
>> separate
>> >> > > experimental where things may be really removed or totally
>> reworked from
>> >> > > beta where the core structure is in place and we will try to
>> minimize
>> >> > > breaking changes)
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Ultimately it was just a simple request, if the consensus is to
>> remove the
>> >> > > beta flag, then please ignore my previous email and proceed.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Laurent
>> >> > >
>> >> > > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM Jean-Baptiste Onofré <
>> [email protected]>
>> >> > > wrote:
>> >> > >
>> >> > > > Hi All,
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > > I think it is important to distinguish between the "beta" status
>> of
>> >> > > > the Generic Table API and its future evolution.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > > Strictly speaking, I believe we should remove the "beta" label
>> now, as
>> >> > > > the API already has several implementations and is seeing
>> real-world
>> >> > > > usage.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > > While we all agree that the Generic Table API will continue to
>> evolve
>> >> > > > (e.g., credential vending, common table API), I anticipate that
>> these
>> >> > > > changes will primarily be "additions" rather than breaking
>> changes to
>> >> > > > the existing specification (which is pretty thin honestly). For
>> >> > > > example, adding schema support should be backward compatible.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > > Personally, I would rather avoid using the "beta" flag here.
>> Features
>> >> > > > in open source projects are inherently evolving, often rapidly.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > > Just my two cents.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > > Regards,
>> >> > > > JB
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:46 AM Laurent Goujon <
>> [email protected]>
>> >> > > wrote:
>> >> > > > >
>> >> > > > > If this is okay, I would like to keep the beta a bit longer
>> until we
>> >> > > see
>> >> > > > > some actual adoption cross-engines, and we address some of the
>> points
>> >> > > we
>> >> > > > > discussed previously like the lack of schema for example so we
>> can use
>> >> > > > the
>> >> > > > > feedback to improve on it and avoid having to release a v2 (or
>> hold off
>> >> > > > for
>> >> > > > > a long time to refactor).
>> >> > > > >
>> >> > > > > I'd also like to amend the common table API proposal we
>> discussed last
>> >> > > > > october and hopefully refactor it as an evolution of the
>> existing
>> >> > > Generic
>> >> > > > > Table API since it focused amongst other things on the
>> metadata issue.
>> >> > > > >
>> >> > > > > Please let me know if you are agreeable to this.
>> >> > > > >
>> >> > > > > Laurent
>> >> > > > >
>> >> > > > > On Wed, Nov 19, 2025 at 11:03 AM yun zou <
>> [email protected]>
>> >> > > > wrote:
>> >> > > > >
>> >> > > > > > Hi Dmitri,
>> >> > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > Thanks!
>> >> > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > I have put up the PR:
>> https://github.com/apache/polaris/pull/3096,
>> >> > > > please
>> >> > > > > > help take a look!
>> >> > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > Will comment on the thread also!
>> >> > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > Best Regards,
>> >> > > > > > Yun
>> >> > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > On Wed, Nov 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM Dmitri Bourlatchkov <
>> >> > > [email protected]>
>> >> > > > > > wrote:
>> >> > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > Hi Yun,
>> >> > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > I am personally ok with the approach you propose. If you
>> would like
>> >> > > > to
>> >> > > > > > > remove the beta label in 1.3.0, please open a PR to
>> unblock the
>> >> > > > release
>> >> > > > > > as
>> >> > > > > > > discussed in [1]. If you prefer to remove the label later,
>> please
>> >> > > > comment
>> >> > > > > > > on [1].
>> >> > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > [1]
>> >> > > https://lists.apache.org/thread/dhzop6tddl8f9ygbbgdoqywk0hwzsgb2
>> >> > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > Thanks,
>> >> > > > > > > Dmitri.
>> >> > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > On Tue, Nov 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM yun zou <
>> >> > > [email protected]>
>> >> > > > > > > wrote:
>> >> > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > Hi Dmitri,
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > Thanks for the clarification!
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > -- if we happen to need a major Generic Tables API
>> change after
>> >> > > > > > removing
>> >> > > > > > > > the "beta" label, I believe we'd have to make a v2 of
>> that API
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > Yes, if there are changes that require altering the
>> high-level
>> >> > > > > > semantics
>> >> > > > > > > of
>> >> > > > > > > > the API or modifying existing fields, we would need to
>> move to a
>> >> > > > V2.
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > However, since the Generic Table API currently defines
>> only very
>> >> > > > basic
>> >> > > > > > > > fields, I believe the use cases described in the Table
>> Source
>> >> > > > proposal
>> >> > > > > > > can
>> >> > > > > > > > be addressed by extending the existing APIs. If it
>> eventually
>> >> > > > becomes
>> >> > > > > > > clear
>> >> > > > > > > > that a major change is required—such as a semantic-level
>> >> > > > shift—then we
>> >> > > > > > > can
>> >> > > > > > > > transition to V2. The goal is to evolve and build on the
>> current
>> >> > > > APIs
>> >> > > > > > > > wherever possible.
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > Best Regards,
>> >> > > > > > > > Yun
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > On Tue, Nov 18, 2025 at 8:32 AM Dmitri Bourlatchkov <
>> >> > > > [email protected]>
>> >> > > > > > > > wrote:
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > Hi Yun,
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > I personally do not think the "beta" label is related
>> to our
>> >> > > > > > commitment
>> >> > > > > > > > (or
>> >> > > > > > > > > lack of it) in maintaining the API. IMHO, it means
>> that the API
>> >> > > > is
>> >> > > > > > > likely
>> >> > > > > > > > > to undergo major changes.
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > I did not and do not really oppose removing the "beta"
>> label
>> >> > > > from the
>> >> > > > > > > > > Generic Tables API :)
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > My suggestion in keeping it a bit longer was purely to
>> allow
>> >> > > more
>> >> > > > > > time
>> >> > > > > > > > > for finding common use cases with the Table Sources
>> proposal
>> >> > > and
>> >> > > > > > > possibly
>> >> > > > > > > > > unifying some workflows.
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > Having thought about that from that perspective some
>> more, I
>> >> > > > actually
>> >> > > > > > > > agree
>> >> > > > > > > > > that the Generic Tables API is _not_ likely to undergo
>> major
>> >> > > > changes.
>> >> > > > > > > If
>> >> > > > > > > > > synergies with Table Sources can be found, most of the
>> changes
>> >> > > > are
>> >> > > > > > > > probably
>> >> > > > > > > > > going to happen in clients that currently use the
>> Generic
>> >> > > Tables
>> >> > > > API,
>> >> > > > > > > the
>> >> > > > > > > > > API itself is probably going to remain stable.
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > That said, just for the sake of clarity, if we happen
>> to need a
>> >> > > > major
>> >> > > > > > > > > Generic Tables API change after removing the "beta"
>> label, I
>> >> > > > believe
>> >> > > > > > > we'd
>> >> > > > > > > > > have to make a v2 of that API (which is ok from my POV
>> per our
>> >> > > > > > > evolution
>> >> > > > > > > > > guidelines [1]).
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > [1]
>> https://polaris.apache.org/in-dev/unreleased/evolution/
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > Cheers,
>> >> > > > > > > > > Dmitri.
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > On Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 8:20 PM yun zou <
>> >> > > > [email protected]>
>> >> > > > > > > > > wrote:
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > Hi Dmitri,
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > Thanks a lot for the feedback!
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > I definitely agree that the current generic table
>> support
>> >> > > > still has
>> >> > > > > > > > > > limitations and that more work is needed. However,
>> removing
>> >> > > the
>> >> > > > > > > “beta”
>> >> > > > > > > > > > label doesn’t mean the feature is finalized.
>> Instead, it
>> >> > > > signals to
>> >> > > > > > > > users
>> >> > > > > > > > > > that we are committed to maintaining and improving
>> it over
>> >> > > > time.
>> >> > > > > > > > > Therefore,
>> >> > > > > > > > > > I believe this will not block any future enhancements
>> >> > > including
>> >> > > > > > > > extending
>> >> > > > > > > > > > it to address the use cases described in the Table
>> Source
>> >> > > > proposal.
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > As Adam pointed out, we already have users trying it
>> out and
>> >> > > > > > > requesting
>> >> > > > > > > > > > improvements. I believe this is a good time to
>> remove the
>> >> > > > “beta”
>> >> > > > > > > label
>> >> > > > > > > > to
>> >> > > > > > > > > > encourage broader adoption and welcome new
>> contributors who
>> >> > > can
>> >> > > > > > help
>> >> > > > > > > > > > advance the feature.
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > Best Regards,
>> >> > > > > > > > > > Yun
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > On Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM Adam Christian <
>> >> > > > > > > > > > [email protected]> wrote:
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > I'm in favor of removing the "beta" label because
>> it is
>> >> > > > starting
>> >> > > > > > to
>> >> > > > > > > > be
>> >> > > > > > > > > > used
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > by users. From the Slack feedback we have seen,
>> there are
>> >> > > > users
>> >> > > > > > who
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > have started to try out this feature. While they
>> are still
>> >> > > > > > running
>> >> > > > > > > > into
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > issues such as not having a Spark 4 plugin [1] and
>> not
>> >> > > having
>> >> > > > > > > > > credential
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > vending [2], there is real user usage indicating
>> that folks
>> >> > > > find
>> >> > > > > > > this
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > beneficial.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > Now, I do agree with Dmitri that there are known
>> >> > > limitations
>> >> > > > we
>> >> > > > > > > need
>> >> > > > > > > > to
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > handle that are impeding users. The two referenced
>> examples
>> >> > > > above
>> >> > > > > > > are
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > obvious ones that need fixes to get wider
>> adoption. I have
>> >> > > > been
>> >> > > > > > > > working
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > with Yun & others to be able to solve some of
>> these issues
>> >> > > > (like
>> >> > > > > > > this
>> >> > > > > > > > > PR
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > [3]), but I agree that there may need to be more
>> >> > > significant
>> >> > > > > > > changes
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > including a REST API change.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > From my understanding, during our last
>> conversation in the
>> >> > > > > > > community
>> >> > > > > > > > > > about
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > the "Table Sources" proposal [4], we decided we
>> were going
>> >> > > to
>> >> > > > > > > analyze
>> >> > > > > > > > > the
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > Parquet file use case and see if Generic Tables
>> can support
>> >> > > > this
>> >> > > > > > > use
>> >> > > > > > > > > case
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > or whether we need to bring some ideas from the
>> Table
>> >> > > Sources
>> >> > > > > > > > proposal
>> >> > > > > > > > > > into
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > Generic Tables. I believe that this approach is
>> still valid
>> >> > > > and
>> >> > > > > > > will
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > benefit our adopting users by identifying any
>> enhancements
>> >> > > > with
>> >> > > > > > > these
>> >> > > > > > > > > new
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > use cases.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > What do y'all think?
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > [1] -
>> https://github.com/apache/polaris/issues/3021
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > [2] -
>> https://github.com/apache/polaris/issues/3020
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > [3] - https://github.com/apache/polaris/pull/3026
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > [4] -
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> https://lists.apache.org/thread/652z1f1n2pgf3g2ow5y382wlrtnoqth0
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > Go community,
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > Adam
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM Dmitri
>> Bourlatchkov <
>> >> > > > > > > > [email protected]
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Yun,
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > We should indeed review the status of the
>> Generic Tables
>> >> > > > API,
>> >> > > > > > so
>> >> > > > > > > > > thanks
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > for
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > starting this discussion!
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > From my POV the key question is: how do we
>> intend to
>> >> > > > proceed
>> >> > > > > > with
>> >> > > > > > > > > known
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > limitations [1]?
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > I believe the Table Sources proposal [2]
>> addresses some
>> >> > > > (if not
>> >> > > > > > > > all)
>> >> > > > > > > > > of
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > those limitations. It is certainly suitable for
>> the same
>> >> > > > > > > > applications
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > that
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > currently go through the Generic Tables API.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > I believe it would be wise to allow the Table
>> Sources
>> >> > > > proposal
>> >> > > > > > to
>> >> > > > > > > > > > develop
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > further to see if there are any synergies that
>> can be
>> >> > > > leveraged
>> >> > > > > > > > with
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > respect to Generic Tables. If we removed the
>> "beta" label
>> >> > > > from
>> >> > > > > > > the
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > Generic
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > Tables API now, it would make it harder for
>> users to
>> >> > > > benefit
>> >> > > > > > from
>> >> > > > > > > > > those
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > synergies later (due to virtually freezing the
>> "spec").
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > At it stands now, the Generic Tables API is
>> supported by
>> >> > > > > > Polaris,
>> >> > > > > > > > so
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > existing clients can continue operating normally.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > [1]
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > >
>> >> > > >
>> >> > >
>> https://github.com/apache/polaris/blob/f056e22f7f3a7c53e233bef1b88d204d6a8e4d79/site/content/in-dev/unreleased/generic-table.md?plain=1#L162-L169
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > [2]
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> https://lists.apache.org/thread/9f5b75fy25l9yzrtnlzqg6yh1bqdyjbt
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks,
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > Dmitri.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 12:33 PM yun zou <
>> >> > > > > > > > [email protected]
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > wrote:
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi All,
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Generic Table has been available since Polaris
>> 1.0 and
>> >> > > > has
>> >> > > > > > > > > attracted
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > interest from several users. We also have
>> ongoing
>> >> > > > improvement
>> >> > > > > > > and
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > extension
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > work in progress, including Hudi support,
>> Parquet
>> >> > > > support,
>> >> > > > > > and
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > credential
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > vending.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Given this progress, I believe it’s a good
>> time to
>> >> > > > remove the
>> >> > > > > > > > > “beta”
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > label.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > If there are no objections, we will remove the
>> “beta”
>> >> > > > label
>> >> > > > > > > from
>> >> > > > > > > > > the
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Generic Table in Polaris 1.3.
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Best Regards,
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Yun
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > > >
>> >> > > > > >
>> >> > > >
>> >> > >
>>
>

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