lance-format / lance-format/lance
Add a strict expected-head dataset commit mode
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@Xuanwo is already working on this.
Since Aug 21, 2026.
enhancement
- Dominant language
- Rust
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Description
Goal
Allow a caller to commit against one exact dataset head and fail if that head has changed, without performing an initial conflict rebase.
Motivation
Some publication workflows validate a complete snapshot-dependent basis before staging output. The current commit path may rebase a non-overwrite transaction before its first commit attempt, so a concurrent change can land after final validation and still be accepted as compatible.
The limitation was surfaced while evaluating https://github.com/lancedb/lancedb/pull/3997.
Contract
- The caller supplies an exact expected dataset version or equivalent head witness.
- The first commit attempt fails with a typed conflict if the current head differs.
- Strict mode performs no initial conflict rebase and no compatibility-based acceptance.
- Retries cannot weaken or replace the original expected-head witness.
- Default commit behavior remains unchanged for callers that do not request strict mode.
- Object-store and commit-handler implementations expose equivalent semantics.
Completion gates
- Local and object-store tests cover unchanged head, changed head, concurrent compatible changes, concurrent incompatible changes, and retries.
- The strict path cannot publish after any intervening dataset commit.
- Existing transaction conflict behavior remains unchanged outside strict mode.
- Rust and required binding surfaces document the exact failure contract.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Assessment
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