GeoParquet 1.0.0 is Here, and It's Changing the Geospatial Game
Tags: camptocamp, geoparquet, parquet, cloudnative
Published: 2023-09-21 09:39:14

## Introduction
The GeoParquet community has reached a significant milestone with the release of GeoParquet [1.0.0](https://geoparquet.org/releases/v1.0.0/). With over 20 different libraries and tools already supporting the format and hundreds of gigabytes of public data available, GeoParquet is rapidly emerging as a standard for geospatial data. The 1.0.0 release marks a turning point, signifying a stable foundation that promises to impact both the geospatial and the broader data science community significantly. Let's explore what this means and why you should be excited.

## What is GeoParquet, and Why Does it Matter?
GeoParquet aims to standardize the way geometries are encoded in the Apache Parquet format. One of the standout features of GeoParquet is its efficiency. Compared to traditional formats like shp, gpkg, or fgb, GeoParquet files are generally smaller. This is thanks to Parquet's default compression scheme. Furthermore, GeoParquet boasts impressive speed, a characteristic owed to its columnar architecture.
Not just another file format, GeoParquet has proven itself as a versatile and efficient option for geospatial data, making it ideal for cloud-native geospatial distribution and day-to-day operations in geospatial science.

## Understanding GeoParquet's Immutability in Relation to Its Columnar Format
The columnar format is a cornerstone of GeoParquet's design, impacting how it stores and interacts with data. Its immutable characteristic is deeply intertwined with its columnar nature, offering unique advantages and insights into its design philosophy. Let’s examine this relationship in more detail.
Traditional row-based storage systems arrange data in consecutive rows, making them optimized for transactional operations. In contrast, columnar storage systems store data in columns. This means all values of a single attribute (or column) are stored together. This organization is particularly advantageous for analytical operations where typically only a subset of attributes are needed for a query.

## Immutability in Columnar Systems
1. **Efficient Compression:** One of the benefits of columnar storage is its ability to achieve high compression rates. Data in a single column is often similar, lending itself well to compression. When data is immutable, compression algorithms can work more efficiently as the structure of the data remains consistent, and there's no need to accommodate potential in-place modifications.
1. **Data Integrity and Consistency:** Columnar systems, like GeoParquet, deal with large amounts of data. Immutability ensures that once written, the data remains consistent, reducing complexity and potential errors in concurrent read/write operations. There's no risk of reading partially updated columns, which can be crucial in analytical tasks where data accuracy is paramount.
1. **Optimized Read Operations:** The design of GeoParquet is inherently geared towards read-heavy operations typical in analytics. Immutability reinforces this by ensuring that the data structures optimized for reading aren't compromised with the overhead of handling in-place updates. Thus, query performance remains swift and efficient.
1. **Simplified Data Versioning:** In a world where tracking changes and data provenance is vital, immutability in a columnar system simplifies versioning. Instead of tracking changes within a file, new data writes result in new versions, making it easier to trace back through data history.

## Integration with QGIS
Given that QGIS has now integrated GeoParquet visualization support for Windows and Linux users, it's essential to understand the workflow:

- Users can effortlessly load and visualize GeoParquet data within QGIS.
- While analysis and visualization are fully supported, any modifications or edits to the data will necessitate the creation of a new GeoParquet file, rather than altering the existing one.

For those accustomed to formats that support in-place edits, GeoParquet's approach might require a slight adjustment in workflow. However, the benefits of data consistency, integrity, and enhanced performance make it a worthy trade-off.

## GeoParquet & The Cloud-Native Revolution
At its core, cloud-native refers to a design approach in which applications are built, deployed, and operated at scale in cloud environments. These applications leverage cloud architectures, employ microservices, and are containerized, ensuring they are scalable, resilient, and easily maintainable.
In the geospatial domain, the introduction of GeoParquet as a preferred data format dovetails perfectly with cloud-native storage solutions.
1. **Scalability:** GeoParquet, with its compactness and optimized design, is well-suited for the vast storage capacities that cloud platforms offer. Users can store terabytes or even petabytes of geospatial data without worrying about physical infrastructure constraints.
1. **Efficiency in Data Retrieval:** Cloud-native storage systems, such as Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage, are designed for high-speed data retrieval. Given GeoParquet's columnar format, queries can efficiently fetch only the necessary columns, reducing I/O operations and costs in cloud environments.
1. **Immutable Nature:** GeoParquet's immutable characteristic aligns with the cloud's object storage model, where data objects are typically write-once and read-many. This match ensures data consistency, especially in distributed cloud environments.
1. **Cost-effective:** By combining GeoParquet's compression capabilities with cloud storage's often pay-as-you-go model, organizations can achieve cost savings both in storage space and data transfer.

## What's Next for GeoParquet?
The 1.0.0 release is not the end but a new beginning. The format is now undergoing the rigorous Open Geospatial Consortium's standardization process. This ensures that GeoParquet will be globally recognized and adopted, further solidifying its status as the go-to option for geospatial data.

## Discover Camptocamp's Expertise
If the journey to the cloud seems daunting, or if you're looking to optimize your existing cloud strategy, we have the perfect partner in mind. [Camptocamp](https://www.camptocamp.com) stands at the forefront of geospatial cloud solutions, bringing years of expertise and a passion for innovation. Their dedicated team of specialists is equipped to:
- **Guide Your Cloud Transition:** From initial consultations to full-scale migrations, Camptocamp is your trusted partner in the cloud journey.
- **Optimize Geospatial Workflows:** With a deep understanding of GeoParquet and other geospatial tools, they can help you harness the full power of geospatial data in the cloud.
- **Provide Tailored Solutions:** Every organization is unique, and so are its cloud needs. Camptocamp crafts bespoke solutions that align with your specific goals and challenges.