Apache Iceberg Schema Evolution in Trino

Apache Iceberg's schema evolution capabilities within Trino allow for flexible and straightforward table modifications, accommodating changing business rules and source systems over time. The Iceberg connector in Trino supports alterations to table names, column additions or renames, and partition adjustments. For instance, while table names can be changed in the metastore without affecting storage locations, columns can be added or renamed using simple SQL commands. Partitioning, initially set by specific columns like month, can be altered to improve performance by changing to day-level granularity, enhancing query efficiency. These schema evolution features are praised for their ease of use and power, marking a significant advancement over previous limitations seen in Hive, and are part of the broader Apache Iceberg blog series that explores various optimizations and maintenance strategies within Starburst's data solutions.