Edge Memory Allocation

Manipulating large volumes of data in a single record is always an issue. In Data Shaper Designer, sending big data along graph edges means that:

• Whenever there is a need to carry many MBs of data between two components in a single record, the edge connecting them expands its capacity. This is referred to as dynamic memory allocation.

• If you have a complicated transformation scenario with some sections transferring huge data, only the edges in these sections will use dynamic memory allocation. The other edges retain low memory requirements.

• An edge which has carried a big record before and allocated more memory for itself will not reduce its size back again. It consumes bigger amount of memory till your graph execution is finished.

By default, the maximum size of a record sent along an edge is 268,435,456 bytes (256 MB). This value can be increased, theoretically, up to GBs by setting the Record.RECORD_LIMIT_SIZE property, see Engine Configuration. Record.FIELD_LIMIT_SIZE can also be 268,435,456 bytes (256 MB), by default. All fields in total cannot use more memory than Record.RECORD_LIMIT_SIZE.

There is no harm in increasing Record.RECORD_LIMIT_SIZE to whatever size you want. The only reason for keeping it smaller is an early error detection. For instance, if you start appending to a string field and forget to reset record (after each record), the field size can break the limits.

Note:

Let us look a little deeper into what happens in the memory. Initially, a record starts with 65,536 (64kB) of memory allocated to it. If there is a need to transfer huge data, its size can dynamically grow up to the value of Record.RECORD_LIMIT_SIZE. Therefore, the amount of memory a record can consume is between 65,536 (64k) and Record.RECORD_LIMIT_SIZE.

In your graph, edges which are more 'memory greedy' look like regular edges. They have no visual distinction.

Measuring and Estimating Edge Memory Demands

To estimate how memory-greedy your graph is even before executing it, consult the table below (note: computations are simplified). In general, a graph’s memory demands depend on the input data, components used and edge types. In this place, we contribute to understanding the last one. See approximately how much memory your graph takes before its execution and to what extent memory demands can rise.

The following table depicts memory demands for particular edge types in MB and in the multiples of record initial size and record limit size. The limits can be raised if necessary.

EDGE TYPE	INITIAL SIZE	MULTIPLE OF RIS [1]	MAXIMUM SIZE	MULTIPLE OF RLS [2]
Direct	589,824 B (576 kB)	9 RIS	805,306,368 B (768 MB)[3]	3 RLS
Buffered	1,376,256 B (1344 kB)	21 RIS	805,306,368 B (768 MB)[3]	3 RLS
Phase	131,072 B (128 kB)	2 RIS	536,870,912 B (512 MB)[3]	2 RLS
Direct Fast Propagate	262,144 B (256 kB)	4 RIS[4]	1,073,741,824 B (1024 MB)[3]	4 RLS

[1] RIS = Record.RECORD_INITIAL_SIZE = 65,536 (by default)

[2] RLS = Record.RECORD_LIMIT_SIZE = 268,435,456 (by default)

[3] The size depends on RECORD_LIMIT_SIZE. It can be changed, see Engine Configuration

[4] The number 4 is the number of buffers and it can be changed. In general, buffers' memory can rise up to RLS * (number of buffers)