Installing and Managing Packages in Coalesce.io

Coalesce.io Package Management

In this article, we will guide you through managing packages within your Coalesce.io environment. We’ll cover everything from what packages are and why they are essential to the step-by-step process of installing, upgrading, and uninstalling them. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to leverage Coalesce’s marketplace to expand the capabilities of your data platform and streamline your development workflow.

Your data platform is a powerful tool, and while it comes with a robust set of built-in features, its true power lies in its expandability. This is where the Coalesce.io marketplace comes into play, offering a vast array of packages that can introduce new features and functionalities to your environment. Think of it as a toolkit that you can customize and grow to meet your specific needs, whether you’re implementing a Data Vault, integrating testing frameworks, or leveraging specific Snowflake functions.

Exploring the Coalesce.io Marketplace

Before we jump into the installation process, let’s take a quick look at the marketplace itself. When you open the marketplace, you’ll find different categories of packages designed to serve various purposes. These include:

• Feature Packages: These can add new functionalities, such as leveraging Snowflake’s dynamic tables or integrating powerful tests for data quality.
• Base Node Types: These packages introduce new node types that can be used to build your data warehouse, such as the Data Vault for Coalesce.io package, which provides specific nodes for hub, link, and satellite entities.
• Advanced Deploy Packages: These help in managing and deploying your data pipelines more efficiently.

Each package listing provides key information, including its latest version, supported platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks), release date, and a unique package ID. This ID is crucial for the installation process, as it tells Coalesce.io exactly which package you want to install. The description also offers valuable insights into the package’s features and how to use it, along with links to more detailed resources.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a New Package

The process of installing a new package is straightforward and can be done directly from your Coalesce.io environment settings. Here’s how you do it:

1. Copy the Package ID: First, head to the marketplace, find the package you want to install, and copy its unique package ID. This is your key to the installation.
2. Navigate to Settings: In your Coalesce.io environment, go to your project settings, and then to ‘packages’. You’ll see an overview of all the packages currently installed in your environment.
3. Browse and Install: Click on the ‘Browse’ button. Here, you can paste the package ID you copied earlier. Coalesce.io will then fetch all available versions of that package.
4. Select Version and Alias: Choose the version you want to install. It’s highly recommended to give your new package an alias. An alias is a custom name that helps you easily identify the package, especially if you have multiple versions or a large number of packages installed. For example, naming it Data Vault for Coalesce.io - v2.01 provides a clear distinction from an older version.
5. Complete Installation: Click ‘Install’. The process might take a few moments. Once complete, Coalesce.io will confirm that the package is installed and provide links to view its new macros and node types.

The use of aliases is a best practice that helps you maintain a clear overview of which package and which version you are using, preventing confusion as your project grows.

Upgrading and Managing Package Versions

Upgrading a package is just as simple as installing a new one. The process is particularly important when a package you are already using receives an update with new features or bug fixes. Here’s the recommended best practice for a smooth upgrade:

1. Install the New Version: Follow the installation steps outlined above to install the latest version of the package.
2. Transfer Existing Entities: Go through your existing Coalesce.io entities (nodes) that are using the old package. You will see a clear indication of which package and version is being used. Switch the node type to the new, updated version. This process ensures that your existing workflows benefit from the new features and stability of the latest release.
3. Review and Deactivate Old Node Types: In the package settings, you can also manage the visibility of node types. If you want to prevent accidentally using an older version, you can simply turn off the node types from the old package. This cleans up your workspace and ensures you are always building with the latest tools.
4. Uninstall the Old Package: Once all of your entities have been successfully migrated to the new version, you can safely uninstall the old package. Coalesce.io will alert you if any nodes are still using the old version, preventing you from accidentally breaking your project. This is a critical step to keep your environment clean and efficient.

This systematic approach ensures a seamless transition and keeps your project on the cutting edge of Coalesce’s capabilities without any disruption.

Discovering New Macros and Capabilities

Beyond new node types, packages often come with a set of powerful macros. These are reusable snippets of code that can significantly speed up your development process. In your Coalesce.io settings, you can navigate to the ‘macros’ section to see all available macros, including those from your installed packages. This allows you to explore what the package can do under the hood and even integrate some of its functionalities directly into your own custom nodes.

For example, if a package includes macros for data quality checks, you can use these in your own custom SQL queries to ensure data integrity at various stages of your pipeline. This level of extensibility is what makes Coalesce.io such a versatile platform for modern data engineering.

Final Thoughts on Coalesce.io Package Management

In this article, we’ve walked through the entire lifecycle of a package in Coalesce.io. We’ve shown you how to navigate the marketplace, install a new package, and follow a best-practice process for upgrading your project. We also touched upon the importance of managing node types and exploring the powerful macros that come with packages.

The ability to extend and customize your data platform is a key advantage of Coalesce.io. By actively managing your packages, you can ensure that your environment is always up-to-date, efficient, and equipped with the tools you need to tackle any data challenge. Remember, a well-managed environment is the foundation for a successful and scalable data platform.

Watch the Video

Meet the Speaker