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Status Under review
Created by Guest
Created on Apr 24, 2025

Request for Manta Data Export Format Alignment with Alation's Native Lineage Expectations

See this idea on ideas.ibm.com

We need confirmation on how Manta exports lineage data to Alation to ensure it matches Alation's native lineage structure. Specifically, we are requesting details on:


1. Data Format: The exact format in which Manta sends data to Alation.


2. Lineage Consistency: Ensuring the data structure aligns with Alation's native lineage-building approach.


3. Loop Prevention: Verification that the exported lineage does not create loops in data flow objects if source or target is not available.

Needed By Week
  • Admin
    Jakub Moravec
    Jun 26, 2025

    Hi Amar, Dev,

    We have discussed the options outlined above internally and I gathered additional feedback from other customers as well. The proposal is not to export the loops (and transformations that are causing them) at all.

    The main reason is that creating EXT or TMP objects can be perceived as confusing, especially in the situation when there is not source or target in the scanned environment at all (as opposed to the source/target exists, but it cannot be exported to Alation for various reasons). In that situation, we'd need to use the name of the transformation as the name of the object as well, which might lead to more confusions.

    Please confirm if this approach works for you.

    Thank you, Jakub

  • Guest
    May 14, 2025

    Hi Jakub,

    • "stop exporting lineage that causes the loops" works for us. If this is available as a switch it will help.
    • "export it in a way that it creates a tmp object" this wont work if it involves objects Alation doesnt support, such as procedures. Would you consider EXT objects instead of TMP objects. Manta already exports TMP objects when objects are not scanned in Manta. Exporting EXT objects is more preferable than not exporting loops at all.

     

    Please keep us posted on a ETA once there is more clarity.

  • Admin
    Jakub Moravec
    Apr 28, 2025

    Hi Amar,

    can we please keep this Idea for the loop prevention topic?

    For that, we discussed that Manta can

    • stop exporting lineage that causes the loops

    • export it in a way that it creates a tmp object instead of a loop

    Based on our last meeting, both options work for you. I'm currently verifying the approach with other customers and will update you once we have a final proposal on the approach.

    Thank you,
    Jakub