pingcap

tiflash

Database#TiDB#Columnar Storage#HTAP#Distributed Systems#ClickHouse

1,014

// summary

TiFlash is a columnar storage component designed for the TiDB database to enable high-performance analytical processing within an HTAP architecture. It synchronizes data updates from TiKV in real-time using Raft logs while maintaining transactional consistency via snapshot isolation. By leveraging a massively parallel processing engine, the component significantly accelerates complex analytical workloads.

// technical analysis

TiFlash is a specialized columnar storage engine designed to serve as the analytical processing (AP) component within the TiDB Hybrid Transactional/Analytical Processing (HTAP) architecture. By synchronizing data from TiKV via Raft logs with sub-second latency, it enables real-time analytical queries while maintaining transactional consistency through Snapshot Isolation. The project leverages a Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) architecture and is built upon the ClickHouse codebase, representing a strategic trade-off that prioritizes high-performance analytical throughput for distributed database environments.

// key highlights

Provides real-time analytical processing capabilities by synchronizing data updates from TiKV with sub-second latency.

Ensures transactional consistency for analytical reads using Snapshot Isolation level.

Utilizes a Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) architecture to significantly accelerate complex analytical workloads.

Stores data in a columnar format, which is optimized for high-performance analytical query execution.

Integrates seamlessly into the TiDB ecosystem, enabling a unified HTAP experience for both transactional and analytical needs.

Supports cross-platform development and deployment on both x86-64 and aarch64 hardware architectures.

// use cases

Accelerating analytical queries in TiDB through columnar storage

Real-time data synchronization from TiKV with sub-second latency

Executing complex analytical workloads using massively parallel processing

// getting started

To begin using TiFlash, you can either deploy it via a free trial of TiDB Cloud or integrate it into an existing TiDB cluster by following the official HTAP quick start guides. For developers interested in building from source, ensure you have the required toolchain (CMake 3.23+, Clang 17+, and Rust) installed, then clone the repository recursively and use the provided CMake presets to compile the project.