Company
Date Published
Author
Erick Ramirez
Word count
2597
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Apache Cassandra 5.0 introduces a groundbreaking feature, storage-attached indexes (SAI), that transforms how developers interact with data, offering more flexible and performant query patterns without the need for rigid data modeling. This advancement allows for querying multiple columns with filters and range conditions, simplifying the process of storing and retrieving data. Previously, developers had to design separate tables for each query pattern and maintain synchronization through complex batch updates. However, with SAI, developers can index any column, reducing the need for multiple denormalized tables and minimizing code complexity. The SAI feature is backed by Apache Lucene, enabling advanced indexing capabilities such as text analyzers and multi-term search functionalities, which enhance application functionality and user experience. SAI's integration with Cassandra enables efficient retrieval of results using familiar syntax, and its versatility is demonstrated through examples using a movie dataset, showcasing its ability to handle complex queries involving genres, cast, and titles. This innovation represents a major shift towards a more developer-friendly and scalable database system, maintaining Cassandra's renowned performance and resilience.