Directory

The Directory origin reads data from files in a local directory. The origin can use multiple threads to enable the parallel processing of files.

The files to be processed must be stored in a local directory on the Data Collector machine, must all share a file name pattern, and must be fully written. To read files from a remote server, use the SFTP/FTP/FTPS Client origin. To read data from an active file that is still being written to, use the File Tail origin.
Note: The Directory origin can read files from network-attached storage (NAS) systems. However, be aware that issues can occur when reading high volumes of files with some implementations of the network file system (NFS) protocol.

When you configure the Directory origin, you define the directory to use, read order, file name pattern, file name pattern mode, and the first file to process. You can use glob patterns or regular expressions to define the file name pattern that you want to use.

When using the Last Modified Timestamp read order, you can configure the origin to read from subdirectories. To use multiple threads for processing, specify the number of threads to use.

You can also enable reading compressed files or files in a late arriving directory. After processing a file, the Directory origin can keep, archive, or delete the file.

When the pipeline stops, the Directory origin notes where it stops reading. When the pipeline starts again, the origin continues processing from where it stopped by default. You can reset the origin to process all requested files.

Note: The origin processes files based on file names and locations. Having files with the same name in the same location can cause the origin to skip reading the duplicate files.

The origin generates record header attributes that enable you to use the origins of a record in pipeline processing.

The origin can generate events for an event stream. For more information about dataflow triggers and the event framework, see Dataflow Triggers Overview.

File Name Pattern and Mode

Use a file name pattern to define the files that the Directory origin processes. You can use either a glob pattern or a regular expression to define the file name pattern.

The Directory origin processes files based on the file name pattern mode, file name pattern, and specified directory. For example, if you specify a /logs/weblog/ directory, glob mode, and *.json as the file name pattern, the origin processes all files with the json extension in the /logs/weblog/ directory.

The origin processes files in order based on the specified read order.

For more information about glob syntax, see the Oracle Java documentation. For more information about regular expressions, see Regular Expressions Overview.

Read Order

The Directory origin reads files in ascending order based on the timestamp or file name:

Last Modified Timestamp
The Directory origin can read files in ascending order based on the timestamp associated with the file. The origin checks both the last-modified timestamp and the changed timestamp, then uses the highest - the more recent - of the two when ordering files for processing.
When the origin reads from a secondary location - not the directory where the files are created and written - the last-modified timestamp should reflect when the file was moved to the directory to be processed. When files are copied to the secondary location, the changed timestamp should reflect when the file was copied to the directory to be processed.
Tip: Avoid moving files using commands that preserve the existing timestamp, such as cp -p. Preserving the existing timestamp can be problematic in some cases, such as moving files across time zones.
When ordering based on timestamp, any files with the same timestamp are read in lexicographically ascending order based on the file names.
For example, when reading files with the log*.json file name pattern, the origin reads the following files in the following order:
File Name Last Modified Changed Timestamp
log-1.json APR 24 2016 14:03:35 APR 24 2016 14:03:35
log-903.json APR 24 2016 14:05:03 APR 24 2016 14:05:03
log-0054.json APR 24 2016 14:00:03 APR 24 2016 14:40:44
log-2.json APR 24 2016 14:45:11 APR 24 2016 14:45:11
log-3.json APR 24 2016 14:45:11 APR 24 2016 14:45:11
Notice, log-0054.json is processed after log-903.json because its changed timestamp is later than both the last-modified and changed timestamp of log-903.json. The log-2.json and log-3.json files have identical timestamps, and so are processed in lexicographically ascending order based on their file names.
Lexicographically Ascending File Names
The Directory origin can read files in lexicographically ascending order based on file names. Lexicographically ascending order reads the numbers 1 through 11 as follows:
1, 10, 11, 2, 3, 4... 9
For example, when reading files with the web*.log file name pattern, Directory reads the following files in the following order:
web-1.log
web-10.log
web-11.log
web-2.log
web-3.log
web-4.log
web-5.log
web-6.log
web-7.log
web-8.log
web-9.log
To read these files in logical and lexicographically ascending order, you might add leading zeros to the file naming convention as follows:
web-0001.log
web-0002.log
web-0003.log
...
web-0009.log
web-0010.log
web-0011.log

Multithreaded Processing

The Directory origin can use multiple threads to perform parallel processing based on the Number of Threads property.

When using multiple threads in a pipeline, each thread reads data from a single file, and each file can have a maximum of one thread read from it at a time. The file read order is based on the configuration for the Read Order property.

As the pipeline runs, each thread connects to the origin system, creates a batch of data, and passes the batch to an available pipeline runner. A pipeline runner is a sourceless pipeline instance - an instance of the pipeline that includes all of the processors, executors, and destinations in the pipeline and handles all pipeline processing after the origin.

Each pipeline runner processes one batch at a time, just like a pipeline that runs on a single thread. When the flow of data slows, the pipeline runners wait idly until they are needed, generating an empty batch at regular intervals. You can configure the Runner Idle Time pipeline property to specify the interval or to opt out of empty batch generation.

Multithreaded pipelines preserve the order of records within each batch, just like a single-threaded pipeline. But since batches are processed by different pipeline runners, the order that batches are written to destinations is not ensured.

For example, say you configure the origin to read files from a directory using 5 threads and the Last Modified Timestamp read order. When you start the pipeline, the origin creates five threads, and Data Collector creates a matching number of pipeline runners.

The Directory origin assigns a thread to each of the five oldest files in the directory. Each thread processes its assigned file, passing batches of data to the origin. Upon receiving data, the origin passes a batch to each of the pipeline runners for processing.

After each thread completes processing a file, it continues to the next file based on the last-modified timestamp, until all files are processed.

For more information about multithreaded pipelines, see Multithreaded Pipeline Overview.

Reading from Subdirectories

When using the Last Modified Timestamp read order, the Directory origin can read files in subdirectories of the specified file directory.

When you configure the origin to read from subdirectories, it reads files from all subdirectories. It reads files in ascending order based on timestamp, regardless of the location of the file within the directory.

For example, you configure Directory to read from the /logs/ file directory, select the Last Modified Timestamp read order, and enable reading from subdirectories. Directory reads the following files in the following order based on timestamp, even though the files are written to different subdirectories.

File Name Directory Last Modified Timestamp
log-1.json /logs/west/ APR 24 2016 14:03:35
log-0054.json /logs/east/ APR 24 2016 14:05:03
log-0055.json /logs/west/ APR 24 2016 14:45:11
log-2.json /logs/ APR 24 2016 14:45:11

Post-Processing Subdirectories

When the Directory origin reads from subdirectories, it uses the subdirectory structure when archiving files during post-processing.

You can archive files when the origin completes processing a file or when it cannot fully process a file.

For example, say you configure the origin to archive processed files to a "processed" archive directory. After successfully reading the files in the example above, it writes them to the following directories:
File Name Archive Directory
log-1.json /processed/logs/west/
log-0054.json /processed/logs/east/
log-0055.json /processed/logs/west/
log-2.json /processed/logs/

First File for Processing

Configure a first file for processing when you want Directory to ignore one or more existing files in the directory.

When you define a first file to process, Directory starts processing with the specified file and continues based on the read order and file name pattern. When you do not specify a first file, Directory processes all files in the directory that match the file name pattern.

For example, say Directory reads files based on last-modified or changed timestamp. To ignore all files older than a particular file, use that file name as the first file to process.

Similarly, say you have Directory reading files based on lexicographically ascending file names, and the file directory includes the following files: web_001.log, web_002.log, web_003.log.

If you configure web_002.log as the first file, Directory reads web_002.log and continues to web_003.log. It skips web_001.log.

Late Directory

You can configure the Directory origin to read files in a late directory - a directory that appears after the pipeline starts.

When reading from a late directory, the origin does not validate the directory path when you start the pipeline. If the directory does not exist when the pipeline starts, the origin waits indefinitely for the appearance of the directory and a file to process.

For example, say you read files in the following directory:

/logs/server/

The directory does not exist when you start the pipeline, so the Directory origin waits until the directory and a file matching the file name pattern appears, and then processes the data.

After the /logs/server directory appears, the origin can then process the following files that are written to the directory:

/logs/server/log.json
/logs/server/log1.json
/logs/server/log2.json

Record Header Attributes

The Directory origin creates record header attributes that include information about the originating file for the record.

When the origin processes Avro data, it includes the Avro schema in an avroSchema record header attribute. When the origin processes Parquet data and Skip Union Indexes is not enabled, it generates an avro.union.typeIndex./id record header attribute identifying the index number of the element in a union the data is read from.

You can use the record:attribute or record:attributeOrDefault functions to access the information in the attributes. For more information about working with record header attributes, see Working with Header Attributes.

The Directory origin creates the following record header attributes:
  • avro.union.typeIndex./id - When processing Parquet data, provides the index number of the element in the union that the data is read from if Skip Union Indexes is not enabled.
  • avroSchema - When processing Avro data, provides the Avro schema.
  • baseDir - Base directory containing the file where the record originated.
  • filename - Provides the name of the file where the record originated.
  • file - Provides the file path and file name where the record originated.
  • mtime - Provides the last-modified time for the file.
  • offset - Provides the file offset in bytes. The file offset is the location in the file where the record originated.

Event Generation

The Directory origin can generate events that you can use in an event stream. When you enable event generation, the origin generates event records each time the origin starts or completes reading a file. It can also generate events when it completes processing all available data and the configured batch wait time has elapsed.

Directory events can be used in any logical way. For example:
  • With the Pipeline Finisher executor to stop the pipeline and transition the pipeline to a Finished state when the origin completes processing available data.

    When you restart a pipeline stopped by the Pipeline Finisher executor, the origin continues processing from the last-saved offset unless you reset the origin.

    For an example, see Stopping a Pipeline After Processing All Available Data.

  • With the Email executor to send a custom email after receiving an event.

    For an example, see Sending Email During Pipeline Processing.

For more information about dataflow triggers and the event framework, see Dataflow Triggers Overview.

Event Records

Event records generated by the Directory origin have the following event-related record header attributes. Record header attributes are stored as String values:
Record Header Attribute Description
sdc.event.type Event type. Uses one of the following types:
  • new-file - Generated when the origin starts processing a new file.
  • finished-file - Generated when the origin completes processing a file.
  • no-more-data - Generated after the origin completes processing all available files and the number of seconds configured for Batch Wait Time has elapsed.
sdc.event.version Integer that indicates the version of the event record type.
sdc.event.creation_timestamp Epoch timestamp when the stage created the event.

The Directory origin can generate the following types of event records:

new-file
The Directory origin generates a new-file event record when it starts processing a new file.
New-file event records have the sdc.event.type set to new-file and include the following field:
Event Record Field Description
filepath Path and name of the file that the origin started or finished processing.
finished-file
The Directory origin generates a finished-file event record when it finishes processing a file.
Finished-file event records have the sdc.event.type set to finished-file and include the following fields:
Event Record Field Description
filepath Path and name of the file that the origin started or finished processing.
record-count Number of records successfully generated from the file.
error-count Number of error records generated from the file.
no-more-data
The Directory origin generates a no-more-data event record when the origin completes processing all available records and the number of seconds configured for Batch Wait Time elapses without any new files appearing to be processed.
No-more-data event records generated by the Directory origin have the sdc.event.type set to no-more-data and include the following fields:
Event Record Field Description
record-count Number of records successfully generated since the pipeline started or since the last no-more-data event was created.
error-count Number of error records generated since the pipeline started or since the last no-more-data event was created.
file-count Number of files the origin attempted to process. Can include files that were unable to be processed or were not fully processed.

Buffer Limit and Error Handling

The Directory origin passes each record to a buffer. The size of the buffer determines the maximum size of the record that can be processed. Decrease the buffer limit when memory on the Data Collector machine is limited. Increase the buffer limit to process larger records when memory is available.

When a record is larger than the specified limit, the Directory origin processes the source file based on the stage error handling:
Discard
The origin discards the record and all remaining records in the file, and then continues processing the next file.
Send to Error
With a buffer limit error, the origin cannot send the record to the pipeline for error handling because it is unable to fully process the record.

Instead, the origin creates a message stating that a buffer overrun error occurred. The message includes the file and offset where the buffer overrun error occurred. The information displays in the pipeline history.

If an error directory is configured for the stage, the origin moves the file to the error directory and continues processing the next file.

Stop Pipeline
The origin stops the pipeline and creates a message stating that a buffer overrun error occurred. The message includes the file and offset where the buffer overrun error occurred. The information displays in the pipeline history.
Note: You can also check the Data Collector log file for error details.

Data Formats

The Directory origin processes data differently based on the data format.

The Directory origin processes data formats as follows:
Avro
Generates a record for every Avro record. The origin includes the Avro schema in the avroSchema record header attribute. It also includes a precision and scale field attribute for each Decimal field.
The origin expects each file to contain the Avro schema and uses the schema to process the Avro data.
The origin reads files compressed by Avro-supported compression codecs without requiring additional configuration.
Binary
Generates a record with a single byte array field at the root of the record.
When the data exceeds the user-defined maximum data size, the origin cannot process the data. Because the record is not created, the origin cannot pass the record to the pipeline to be written as an error record. Instead, the origin generates a stage error.
Delimited
Generates a record for each delimited line.
The CSV parser that you choose determines the delimiter properties that you configure and how the stage handles parsing errors. You can specify if the data includes a header line and whether to use it. You can define the number of lines to skip before reading, the character set of the data, and the root field type to use for the generated record.
You can also configure the stage to replace a string constant with null values and to ignore control characters.
For more information about reading delimited data, see Reading Delimited Data.
Excel
Generates a record for every row in the file. Can process .xls or .xlsx files.

You can configure the origin to read from all sheets in a workbook or from particular sheets in a workbook. You can specify whether files include a header row and whether to ignore the header row. You can also configure the origin to skip cells that do not have a corresponding header value. A header row must be the first row of a file. Vertical header columns are not recognized.

The origin cannot process Excel files with large numbers of rows. You can save such files as CSV files in Excel, and then use the origin to process with the delimited data format.

JSON
Generates a record for each JSON object. You can process JSON files that include multiple JSON objects or a single JSON array.
When an object exceeds the maximum object length defined for the origin, the origin cannot continue processing data in the file. Records already processed from the file are passed to the pipeline. The behavior of the origin is then based on the error handling configured for the stage:
  • Discard - The origin continues processing with the next file, leaving the partially-processed file in the directory.
  • To Error - The origin continues processing with the next file. If a post-processing error directory is configured for the stage, the origin moves the partially-processed file to the error directory. Otherwise, it leaves the file in the directory.
  • Stop Pipeline - The origin stops the pipeline.
Log
Generates a record for every log line.
When a line exceeds the user-defined maximum line length, the origin truncates longer lines.
You can include the processed log line as a field in the record. If the log line is truncated, and you request the log line in the record, the origin includes the truncated line.
You can define the log format or type to be read.
Parquet
The origin generates records for every Parquet record in the file. The file must contain the Parquet schema. The origin uses the Parquet schema to generate records.

The stage includes the Parquet schema in a parquetSchema record header attribute.

When Skip Union Indexes is not enabled, the origin generates an avro.union.typeIndex./id record header attribute identifying the index number of the element in the union that the data is read from. If a schema contains many unions and the pipeline does not depend on index information, you can enable Skip Union Indexes to avoid long processing times associated with storing a large number of indexes.

Protobuf
Generates a record for every protobuf message.
Protobuf messages must match the specified message type and be described in the descriptor file.
When the data for a record exceeds 1 MB, the origin cannot continue processing data in the file. The origin handles the file based on file error handling properties and continues reading the next file.
For information about generating the descriptor file, see Protobuf Data Format Prerequisites.
SDC Record
Generates a record for every record. Use to process records generated by a Data Collector pipeline using the SDC Record data format.
For error records, the origin provides the original record as read from the origin in the original pipeline, as well as error information that you can use to correct the record.
When processing error records, the origin expects the error file names and contents as generated by the original pipeline.
Text
Generates a record for each line of text or for each section of text based on a custom delimiter.
When a line or section exceeds the maximum line length defined for the origin, the origin truncates it. The origin adds a boolean field named Truncated to indicate if the line was truncated.
For more information about processing text with a custom delimiter, see Text Data Format with Custom Delimiters.
Whole File
Streams whole files from the origin system to the destination system. You can specify a transfer rate or use all available resources to perform the transfer.
The origin generates two fields: one for a file reference and one for file information. For more information, see Whole File Data Format.
XML
Generates records based on a user-defined delimiter element. Use an XML element directly under the root element or define a simplified XPath expression. If you do not define a delimiter element, the origin treats the XML file as a single record.
Generated records include XML attributes and namespace declarations as fields in the record by default. You can configure the stage to include them in the record as field attributes.
You can include XPath information for each parsed XML element and XML attribute in field attributes. This also places each namespace in an xmlns record header attribute.
When a record exceeds the user-defined maximum record length, the origin cannot continue processing data in the file. Records already processed from the file are passed to the pipeline. The behavior of the origin is then based on the error handling configured for the stage:
  • Discard - The origin continues processing with the next file, leaving the partially-processed file in the directory.
  • To Error - The origin continues processing with the next file. If a post-processing error directory is configured for the stage, the origin moves the partially-processed file to the error directory. Otherwise, it leaves the file in the directory.
  • Stop Pipeline - The origin stops the pipeline.
Use the XML data format to process valid XML documents. For more information about XML processing, see Reading and Processing XML Data.
Tip: If you want to process invalid XML documents, you can try using the text data format with custom delimiters. For more information, see Processing XML Data with Custom Delimiters.

Configuring a Directory Origin

Configure a Directory origin to read data from files in a directory.

When you configure Directory, you define file properties, including the data format to process. Then, you define post-processing options and the properties specific to the data format.
  1. In the Properties panel, on the General tab, configure the following properties:
    General Property Description
    Name Stage name.
    Description Optional description.
    Produce Events Generates event records when events occur. Use for event handling.
    On Record Error Error record handling for the stage:
    • Discard - Discards the record.
    • Send to Error - Sends the record to the pipeline for error handling.
    • Stop Pipeline - Stops the pipeline.
  2. On the Files tab, configure the following properties:
    File Property Description
    Files Directory A directory local to Data Collector where source files are stored. Enter an absolute path.
    File Name Pattern Pattern of the file names to process. Use glob patterns or regular expressions based on the specified file name pattern mode.
    First File to Process Name of the first file to process.

    When you do not enter a first file name, the origin reads all files in the directory with the specified file name pattern.
    Number of Threads Number of threads the origin generates and uses for multithreaded processing. Default is 1.
    File Name Pattern Mode Syntax of the file name pattern:
    • Glob
    • Regular Expression
    Use Event Reader Retrieves new files based on file system events instead of polling for new files.

    Enabling this property is recommended for file systems where concurrent read and write operations might occur.
    Read Order The order to use when reading files:
    • Last Modified Timestamp - Reads files in ascending order based on the more recent of the following timestamps: last-modified timestamp or changed timestamp.

      When files have matching timestamps, the origin reads files in lexicographically ascending order based on file names.

    • Lexicographically Ascending File Names - Reads files in lexicographically ascending order based on file name.

    Available when Use Event Reader is disabled.
    File Processing Delay (ms) The minimum number of milliseconds that must pass from the time a file is created before it is processed.

    Default is 5000.

    Available when Use Event Reader is disabled.
    Process Subdirectories Reads files in any subdirectory of the specified file directory. Reads files in ascending order based on the last-modified or changed timestamp, regardless of the location within the file directory.

    Uses the subdirectory for any configured post-processing directories.

    Available only when using the Last Modified Timestamp read order or when Use Event Reader is enabled.

    Batch Size (recs) Number of records to pass through the pipeline at one time. Honors values up to the Data Collector maximum batch size.

    Default is 1000. The Data Collector default is 1000.
    Batch Wait Time (secs) Number of seconds to wait before sending a partial or empty batch.
    Allow Late Directory Allows reading files from a directory that appears after the pipeline starts. When enabled, the origin does not validate the file path.
    Max Files Soft Limit Maximum number of files that the origin can add to the processing queue at one time. This value is a soft limit - meaning that the origin can temporarily exceed it.

    If the origin exceeds this soft limit, the origin starts the spooling period timer. If the number of files in the processing queue goes below the soft limit, the origin adds more files from the directory to the queue. If the number of files in the processing queue remains above the soft limit after the configured spooling period expires, no more files are added to the queue until the queue goes below the soft limit.

    Configure the soft limit to the expected maximum number of files in the directory.

    Default is 1000.
    Spooling Period (secs) Number of seconds to continue adding files to the processing queue after the maximum files soft limit has been exceeded. When the spooling period expires, no additional files are added to the processing queue until the queue goes below the soft limit.

    Default is 5 seconds.
    Buffer Limit (KB) Maximum buffer size. The buffer size determines the size of the record that can be processed.

    Decrease when memory on the Data Collector machine is limited. Increase to process larger records when memory is available.

    Ignore Temporary Files Skips processing Data Collector temporary files with a _tmp_ prefix.
    In most cases, you can leave this property selected. Clear this property if your source file names use a _tmp_ prefix.
    Note: If Data Collector runs on a Linux system and a naming filter is not in use, the presence of temporary files can cause the origin to process partial files or process the same file twice.
    Important: If the files directory for the origin is the output directory for another pipeline, use this property and avoid using _tmp_ as a file prefix.
  3. On the Post Processing tab, configure the following properties:
    Post Processing Property Description
    Error Directory The directory for files that cannot be fully processed due to data handling errors.

    When you specify an error directory, files that cannot be fully processed are moved to this directory.

    Use to manage files for error handling and reprocessing.

    File Post Processing The action taken after processing a file:
    • None - Keeps the file in place.
    • Archive - Moves the file to the archive directory.
    • Delete - Deletes the file.
    Archive Directory The directory for files that are fully processed.

    When you specify an archive directory, files are moved to this directory after being fully processed.

    Use to archive processed files.
    Archive Retention Time (mins) Number of minutes processed files are saved in the archive directory. Use 0 to keep archived files indefinitely.
  4. On the Data Format tab, configure the following property:
    Data Format Property Description
    Data Format Data format for source files. Use one of the following data formats:
  5. For binary data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Binary Property Description
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.
    Max Data Size (bytes) Maximum number of bytes in the message. Larger messages cannot be processed or written to error.
  6. For delimited data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Delimited Property Description
    Header Line Indicates whether a file contains a header line, and whether to use the header line.
    Delimiter Format Type Delimiter format type. Use one of the following options:
    • Default CSV - File that includes comma-separated values. Ignores empty lines in the file.
    • RFC4180 CSV - Comma-separated file that strictly follows RFC4180 guidelines.
    • MS Excel CSV - Microsoft Excel comma-separated file.
    • MySQL CSV - MySQL comma-separated file.
    • Tab-Separated Values - File that includes tab-separated values.
    • PostgreSQL CSV - PostgreSQL comma-separated file.
    • PostgreSQL Text - PostgreSQL text file.
    • Custom - File that uses user-defined delimiter, escape, and quote characters.
    • Multi Character Delimited - File that uses multiple user-defined characters to delimit fields and lines, and single user-defined escape and quote characters.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser type.
    Multi Character Field Delimiter Characters that delimit fields.

    Default is two pipe characters (||).

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the multi-character delimiter format.
    Multi Character Line Delimiter Characters that delimit lines or records.

    Default is the newline character (\n).

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the multi-character delimiter format.
    Delimiter Character Delimiter character. Select one of the available options or use Other to enter a custom character.

    You can enter a Unicode control character using the format \uNNNN, where ​N is a hexadecimal digit from the numbers 0-9 or the letters A-F. For example, enter \u0000 to use the null character as the delimiter or \u2028 to use a line separator as the delimiter.

    Default is the pipe character ( | ).

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with a custom delimiter format.

    Field Separator One or more characters to use as delimiter characters between columns.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.
    Quote Character Quote character.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the custom or multi-character delimiter format. Also available when using the Univocity parser.
    Allow Comments Allows commented data to be ignored for custom delimiter format.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.
    Comment Character

    Character that marks a comment when comments are enabled for custom delimiter format.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.
    Enable Comments Allows commented data to be ignored for custom delimiter format.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser.
    Comment Marker Character that marks a comment when comments are enabled for custom delimiter format.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser.
    Lines to Skip Number of lines to skip before reading data.
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.
    CSV Parser Parser to use to process delimited data:
    • Apache Commons - Provides robust parsing and a wide range of delimited format types.
    • Univocity - Can provide faster processing for wide delimited files, such as those with over 200 columns.

    Default is Apache Commons.
    Max Columns Maximum number of columns to process per record.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.
    Max Character per Column Maximum number of characters to process in each column.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.
    Skip Empty Lines Allows skipping empty lines.

    Available when using the Univocity parser.
    Allow Extra Columns Allows processing records with more columns than exist in the header line.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser to process data with a header line.
    Extra Column Prefix Prefix to use for any additional columns. Extra columns are named using the prefix and sequential increasing integers as follows: <prefix><integer>.

    For example, _extra_1. Default is _extra_.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser to process data with a header line while allowing extra columns.
    Max Record Length (chars) Maximum length of a record in characters. Longer records are not read.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum Record Size.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser.
    Ignore Empty Lines Allows empty lines to be ignored.

    Available when using the Apache Commons parser with the custom delimiter format.
    Root Field Type Root field type to use:
    • List-Map - Generates an indexed list of data. Enables you to use standard functions to process data. Use for new pipelines.
    • List - Generates a record with an indexed list with a map for header and value. Requires the use of delimited data functions to process data. Use only to maintain pipelines created before 1.1.0.
    Parse NULLs Replaces the specified string constant with null values.
    NULL Constant String constant to replace with null values.
    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
  7. For Excel files, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Excel Property Description
    Excel Header Option Indicates whether files include a header row and whether to ignore the header row. A header row must be the first row of a file.
    Skip Cells With No Header Skips processing cells when they do not have a corresponding header value.

    Available when Excel Header Option is set to With Header Line.
    Include Cells With Empty Value Includes empty cells in records.
    Read All Sheets Reads all sheets in the Excel file.
    Import Sheets Name of sheet to read. Using simple or bulk edit mode, click Add Another to add additional sheets.

    Available when Read All Sheets is not selected.
  8. For JSON data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    JSON Property Description
    JSON Content Type of JSON content. Use one of the following options:
    • Array of Objects
    • Multiple Objects
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.
    Maximum Object Length (chars) Maximum number of characters in a JSON object.

    Longer objects are diverted to the pipeline for error handling.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum Record Size.
    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
  9. For log data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Log Property Description
    Log Format Format of the log files. Use one of the following options:
    • Common Log Format
    • Combined Log Format
    • Apache Error Log Format
    • Apache Access Log Custom Format
    • Regular Expression
    • Grok Pattern
    • Log4j
    • Common Event Format (CEF)
    • Log Event Extended Format (LEEF)
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.
    Max Line Length Maximum length of a log line. The origin truncates longer lines.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum Record Size.
    Retain Original Line Determines how to treat the original log line. Select to include the original log line as a field in the resulting record.

    By default, the original line is discarded.
    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
    • When you select Apache Access Log Custom Format, use Apache log format strings to define the Custom Log Format.
    • When you select Regular Expression, enter the regular expression that describes the log format, and then map the fields that you want to include to each regular expression group.
    • When you select Grok Pattern, you can use the Grok Pattern Definition field to define custom grok patterns. You can define a pattern on each line.

      In the Grok Pattern field, enter the pattern to use to parse the log. You can use a predefined grok patterns or create a custom grok pattern using patterns defined in Grok Pattern Definition.

      For more information about defining grok patterns and supported grok patterns, see Defining Grok Patterns.

    • When you select Log4j, define the following properties:
      Log4j Property Description
      On Parse Error Determines how to handle information that cannot be parsed:
      • Skip and Log Error - Skips reading the line and logs a stage error.
      • Skip, No Error - Skips reading the line and does not log an error.
      • Include as Stack Trace - Includes information that cannot be parsed as a stack trace to the previously-read log line. The information is added to the message field for the last valid log line.
      Use Custom Log Format Allows you to define a custom log format.
      Custom Log4J Format Use log4j variables to define a custom log format.
  10. For Parquet data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following property:
    Parquet Property Description
    Skip Union Indexes Omits header attributes identifying the index number of the element in a union that data is read from.

    If a schema contains many unions and the pipeline does not depend on index information, you can enable this property to avoid long processing times associated with storing a large number of indexes.
  11. For protobuf data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Protobuf Property Description
    Protobuf Descriptor File Descriptor file (.desc) to use. The descriptor file must be in the Data Collector resources directory, $SDC_RESOURCES.

    For more information about environment variables, see Java and Security Configuration. For information about generating the descriptor file, see Protobuf Data Format Prerequisites.
    Message Type The fully-qualified name for the message type to use when reading data.

    Use the following format: <package name>.<message type>.

    Use a message type defined in the descriptor file.
    Delimited Messages Indicates if a file might include more than one protobuf message.
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.
  12. For SDC Record data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    SDC Record Property Description
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.
  13. For text data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Text Property Description
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.
    Max Line Length Maximum number of characters allowed for a line. Longer lines are truncated.

    Adds a boolean field to the record to indicate if it was truncated. The field name is Truncated.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum Record Size.
    Use Custom Delimiter Uses custom delimiters to define records instead of line breaks.
    Custom Delimiter One or more characters to use to define records.
    Include Custom Delimiter Includes delimiter characters in the record.
    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.
  14. For whole files, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    Whole File Property Description
    Buffer Size (bytes) Size of the buffer to use to transfer data.
    Rate per Second Transfer rate to use.

    Enter a number to specify a rate in bytes per second. Use an expression to specify a rate that uses a different unit of measure per second, e.g. ${5 * MB}. Use -1 to opt out of this property.

    By default, the origin does not use a transfer rate.

  15. For XML data, on the Data Format tab, configure the following properties:
    XML Property Description
    Delimiter Element
    Delimiter to use to generate records. Omit a delimiter to treat the entire XML document as one record. Use one of the following:
    • An XML element directly under the root element.

      Use the XML element name without surrounding angle brackets ( < > ) . For example, msg instead of <msg>.

    • A simplified XPath expression that specifies the data to use.

      Use a simplified XPath expression to access data deeper in the XML document or data that requires a more complex access method.

      For more information about valid syntax, see Simplified XPath Syntax.
    Compression Format The compression format of the files:
    • None - Processes only uncompressed files.
    • Compressed File - Processes files compressed by the supported compression formats.
    • Archive - Processes files archived by the supported archive formats.
    • Compressed Archive - Processes files archived and compressed by the supported archive and compression formats.
    File Name Pattern within Compressed Directory For archive and compressed archive files, file name pattern that represents the files to process within the compressed directory. You can use UNIX-style wildcards, such as an asterisk or question mark. For example, *.json.

    Default is *, which processes all files.
    Preserve Root Element Includes the root element in the generated records.

    When omitting a delimiter to generate a single record, the root element is the root element of the XML document.

    When specifying a delimiter to generate multiple records, the root element is the XML element specified as the delimiter element or is the last XML element in the simplified XPath expression specified as the delimiter element.
    Include Field XPaths Includes the XPath to each parsed XML element and XML attribute in field attributes. Also includes each namespace in an xmlns record header attribute.

    When not selected, this information is not included in the record. By default, the property is not selected.
    Namespaces Namespace prefix and URI to use when parsing the XML document. Define namespaces when the XML element being used includes a namespace prefix or when the XPath expression includes namespaces.

    For information about using namespaces with an XML element, see Using XML Elements with Namespaces.

    For information about using namespaces with XPath expressions, see Using XPath Expressions with Namespaces.

    Using simple or bulk edit mode, click the Add icon to add additional namespaces.
    Output Field Attributes Includes XML attributes and namespace declarations in the record as field attributes. When not selected, XML attributes and namespace declarations are included in the record as fields.

    By default, the property is not selected.
    Max Record Length (chars)

    The maximum number of characters in a record. Longer records are diverted to the pipeline for error handling.

    This property can be limited by the Data Collector parser buffer size. For more information, see Maximum Record Size.
    Charset Character encoding of the files to be processed.
    Ignore Control Characters Removes all ASCII control characters except for the tab, line feed, and carriage return characters.