Inside the Pinecone

Pinecone, a company specializing in vector databases, has undergone significant developments and transformations, driven by both technical challenges and the need for innovation. Initially relying on graph-based techniques for vector search, Pinecone faced the complexities of integrating these methods into a production-grade database, requiring efficient metadata filtering and optimized updates. The limitations of using RocksDB for storage led to the development of a new vector store, "memkey," which enhanced performance and reduced operational costs. Simultaneously, the company transitioned from a C/C++ and Python codebase to Rust, despite the risks associated with rewrites and the team's unfamiliarity with the language, ultimately achieving improved performance, development velocity, and operational stability. Pinecone continues to explore unanswered questions about vector search and remains committed to advancing its technology while inviting collaboration and feedback from its user community.