Request for being able to append to files in HDFS has been raised a couple of times on the list of late. For one example, see
http://www.nabble.com/HDFS%2C-appending-writes-status-tf3848237.html#a10916193
. Other mail describes folks' workarounds because this feature is lacking: e.g.
http://www.nabble.com/Loading-data-into-HDFS-tf4200003.html#a12039480 (Later on this thread, Jim Kellerman re-raises the HBase need of this feature).
HADOOP-337 'DFS files should be appendable' makes mention of file append but it was opened early in the life of HDFS when the focus was more on implementing the basics rather than adding new features. Interest fizzled. Because
HADOOP-337 is also a bit of a grab-bag – it includes truncation and being able to concurrently read/write – rather than try and breathe new life into
HADOOP-337, instead, here is a new issue focused on file append. Ultimately, being able to do as the google GFS paper describes – having multiple concurrent clients making 'Atomic Record Append' to a single file would be sweet but at least for a first cut at this feature, IMO, a single client appending to a single HDFS file letting the application manage the access would be sufficent.
New Feature
Closed
Major
Append to files in HDFS
