June 2022 Summaries

Hex, a cloud-native data platform, has introduced three new features that allow users to work with data at any scale: Query mode, Chained SQL, and Python pushdown. Query mode enables working with effectively infinitely-sized data by leaving the data in the warehouse instead of bringing it into an in-memory kernel. Chained SQL allows referencing previous queries with other SQL cells, automatically combining them into common table expressions (CTEs) on the fly. Lastly, Python pushdown supports running Python code right in Snowflake or Spark, allowing for efficient and performant operations without shuttling data over the internet. These features enable data practitioners to ask and answer questions of all their data within Hex's platform.

Hex, a data querying and analysis tool, has integrated Snowflake's new Snowpark for Python API, allowing users to write familiar Python code that is executed on Snowflake, leveraging its massive scalability and distributed compute capabilities. This integration also includes auto-magical installation of the Snowpark API in any project connected to Snowflake, making it easy to get started with Snowpark and Python without worrying about hosting a notebook or configuring environment variables. Additionally, Hex has been added to Snowflake Partner Connect, enabling users to set up a new trial with preconfigured access to their Snowflake instance in just one click.

Streamlining analytics engineering workflows with Hex has improved review quality and developer experience. By leveraging Hex for data transformation, developers can create one app per PR, enabling a clearer understanding of the changes made to the warehouse in context. Reviewers can see how the work was done, reducing the need for imagination when reviewing code. Additionally, using Hex for audit helper has improved the PR submitter validation workflow, making it easier and more efficient. This integration of auditing into the developing flow ensures high quality, low effort reviews for data transformations.