Hi all, I have updated the KIP-1247 based on feedback from Chia-Ping.
Key changes: - The KIP now proposes to make only the core *Bytes* methods officially public (*Bytes, wrap, get, compareTo, equals, hashCode, toString*) - Helper methods/fields (*increment(), ByteArrayComparator, BYTES_LEXICO_COMPARATOR*) will be moved to "*org.apache.kafka.common.utils.internals package*" - This approach keeps the public API minimal while allowing internal Kafka code to continue using the helpers Updated KIP: https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/KAFKA/KIP-1247%3A+Make+Bytes+utils+class+part+of+the+public+API Please review the changes and let me know if you have any concerns. If there are no objections in the next few days, then I would like to call for a vote. Thank you. Best regards, Siddhartha On Mon, Dec 29, 2025 at 12:17 AM Siddhartha Devineni < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi Chia-Ping, > > My apologies for the confusion, as I misunderstood your suggestion. > > You were suggesting moving helpers like increment(), ByteArrayComparator, > and BYTES_LEXICO_COMPARATOR to the > "org.apache.kafka.common.utils.internals" package while keeping them public > in Java visibility terms so that they can have their current > characteristics such as the other internal packages can use them, they are > not exposed to the users and no burden of maintaining them for backward > compatilibility. > > This is a much cleaner approach. I will update the KIP to reflect these: > > 1. Make only the core Bytes methods (Bytes, wrap, get, compareTo, equals, > hashCode, toString) officially part of the public API > 2. Move the helper methods/fields to > "org.apache.kafka.common.utils.internals" > > Thank you for your patience in explaining this. > > Best regards, > Siddhartha > > On Sun, Dec 28, 2025 at 1:54 PM Chia-Ping Tsai <[email protected]> wrote: > >> hi Siddhartha >> >> > However, I have found that the method increment() is used in >> "org.apache.kafka.streams.test", which is the public test utilities >> package >> (https://kafka.apache.org/38/javadoc/index.html). This means external >> users >> writing Kafka Streams tests might already be depending on this method. >> >> I double-checked streams/test-utils but couldn't find any usage of >> `increment` there. Could you point me to the specific class that uses it? >> >> > Similarly, BYTES_LEXICO_COMPARATOR (of type ByteArrayComparator) is used >> in >> a different package like "org.apache.kafka.streams.state.internals". >> Making >> it package-private would require extensive refactoring. >> >> It is totally fine to keep the method public in teams of Java visibility >> (so other packages can use it). >> >> My point is that we should not expose it as a public Kafka API contract. >> By >> moving it to an internal package, we indicate to users that this is not >> for >> external use. This saves us from the burden of maintaining strict backward >> compatibility in the future >> Best, >> Chia-Ping >> >> Siddhartha Devineni <[email protected]> 於 2025年12月28日週日 >> 下午3:17寫道： >> >> > Hi Chia-Ping, >> > >> > I understand your concern about these appearing to be internal >> utilities - >> > you are absolutely right that, ideally, we would have a cleaner, more >> > minimal public API. >> > >> > However, I have found that the method increment() is used in >> > "org.apache.kafka.streams.test", which is the public test utilities >> package >> > (https://kafka.apache.org/38/javadoc/index.html). This means external >> > users >> > writing Kafka Streams tests might already be depending on this method. >> > >> > Given this constraint, making increment() package-private would >> potentially >> > break existing user code. >> > >> > Similarly, BYTES_LEXICO_COMPARATOR (of type ByteArrayComparator) is >> used in >> > a different package like "org.apache.kafka.streams.state.internals". >> Making >> > it package-private would require extensive refactoring. >> > >> > So while I agree these seem like internal utilities, they are already >> being >> > used in ways that make them effectively part of the public contract. >> > >> > I think the most pragmatic path forward is to accept them as part of the >> > public API and ensure they are well-documented. >> > >> > However, I am open to other approaches if you have suggestions - perhaps >> > there's a better way to handle this that I haven't considered? >> > >> > What are your thoughts? >> > >> > Best regards, >> > Siddhartha >> > >> > On Sun, Dec 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM Chia-Ping Tsai <[email protected]> >> > wrote: >> > >> > > hi Siddhartha >> > > >> > > chia_0: Sorry for the confusion. My concern is that both >> > > `ByteArrayComparator` and `increment` are being exposed as Kafka >> public >> > > APIs, even though they appear to be intended as Kafka internal APIs >> > > >> > > Best, >> > > Chia-Ping >> > > >> > > >> > > Siddhartha Devineni <[email protected]> 於 2025年12月28日週日 >> > > 上午2:13寫道： >> > > >> > > > Hi Chia-Ping, >> > > > >> > > > Thank you for the feedback. >> > > > >> > > > chia_0: You raised a valid concern about exposing all helper >> methods. I >> > > > investigated the usage of each: >> > > > >> > > > 1. increment(Bytes input): Used in "org.apache.kafka.streams.test" >> (the >> > > > public test utilities package for Kafka Streams), so it must remain >> > > public. >> > > > 2. BYTES_LEXICO_COMPARATOR: Used in >> > > > "org.apache.kafka.streams.state.internals package". Since this is a >> > > > different package from "org.apache.kafka.common.utils" where Bytes >> > > resides, >> > > > it must remain public (package-private access wouldn't work across >> > > > different packages). >> > > > 3. ByteArrayComparator interface: Must remain public since >> > > > BYTES_LEXICO_COMPARATOR is public and has this type. >> > > > >> > > > So while I agree it would be cleaner to minimize the API surface, >> these >> > > > helpers are already being used across different packages and by >> public >> > > test >> > > > utilities. Making them package-private would break existing internal >> > code >> > > > and they are already effectively part of the public contract. >> > > > >> > > > chia_1: Good suggestion. >> > > > BytesSerializer in "org.apache.kafka.common.serialization" is >> indeed a >> > > > strong example since serialization is explicitly listed as a public >> API >> > > > package. I have added this to the motivation section to strengthen >> the >> > > > rationale. >> > > > >> > > > Best regards, >> > > > Siddhartha >> > > > >> > > > On Sat, Dec 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM Chia-Ping Tsai <[email protected] >> > >> > > > wrote: >> > > > >> > > > > hi Siddhartha >> > > > > >> > > > > Thanks for the KIP. The motivation makes sense to me. I have a few >> > > > > comments below. >> > > > > >> > > > > chia_0: do we need to expose all helpers, such as >> ByteArrayComparator >> > > and >> > > > > increment? >> > > > > >> > > > > chia_1: the bytes class is also part of serialization API. Maybe >> you >> > > > could >> > > > > mention that in the motivation to strengthen the rationale. >> > > > > >> > > > > Best, >> > > > > Chia-Ping >> > > > > >> > > > > > Siddhartha Devineni <[email protected]> 於 >> 2025年12月27日 >> > > > > 上午11:47 寫道： >> > > > > > >> > > > > > Hi all, >> > > > > > >> > > > > > I would like to send a gentle reminder about KIP-1247, which >> > proposes >> > > > to >> > > > > > make the Bytes class officially part of the public API. >> > > > > > >> > > > > > KIP link: >> > > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/KAFKA/KIP-1247%3A+Make+Bytes+utils+class+part+of+the+public+API >> > > > > > >> > > > > > Following the earlier discussion, the KIP has been updated to >> focus >> > > > only >> > > > > on >> > > > > > Bytes (the Time API will be addressed separately, as it needs >> more >> > > > > detailed >> > > > > > assessment). >> > > > > > >> > > > > > If there are no further concerns or feedback, I would like to >> call >> > > for >> > > > a >> > > > > > vote in the next few days. >> > > > > > >> > > > > > Please let me know if you have any feedback. >> > > > > > Thank you. >> > > > > > >> > > > > > Best regards, >> > > > > > Siddhartha >> > > > > > >> > > > > >> On Thu, Dec 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM Siddhartha Devineni < >> > > > > >> [email protected]> wrote: >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> Hi Sean, >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> Thank you for the detailed analysis of the Time interface - >> this >> > is >> > > an >> > > > > >> invaluable context for when we address it in a future KIP. >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> Your breakdown of the different responsibilities (wall clock, >> > > > monotonic >> > > > > >> clock, thread yielding, and Timer instantiation) clearly shows >> why >> > > it >> > > > > needs >> > > > > >> more careful consideration before making it public. >> > > > > >> I agree that a more focused interface would be preferable. >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> As discussed, KIP-1247 now focuses only on Bytes, which is >> > > > > straightforward >> > > > > >> and uncontroversial. We shall address Time in a separate KIP >> where >> > > we >> > > > > can >> > > > > >> properly evaluate these design concerns you have raised. >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> When that discussion happens, your points about: >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> 1. Separating the different time-related responsibilities >> > > > > >> 2. The fact that many classes only need (1) or (2) >> > > > > >> 3. The possibility of splitting out Timer instantiation >> entirely >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> will be valuable input for designing a cleaner public API. >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> Thanks again for the feedback! >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> Best regards, >> > > > > >> Siddhartha >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> On Wed, Dec 17, 2025 at 9:49 PM Sean Quah via dev < >> > > > [email protected] >> > > > > > >> > > > > >> wrote: >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >>> Hi Siddartha and Kirk, >> > > > > >>> >> > > > > >>> Thank you for your thoughts. For future discussions, my issue >> > with >> > > > > making >> > > > > >>> the `Time` interface public is that it tries to do 3-4 >> different >> > > > things >> > > > > >>> related to time depending on how you count them: >> > > > > >>> 1. Provide a wall clock (`milliseconds`) >> > > > > >>> 2. Provide a high resolution monotonic clock (`nanoseconds`, >> > > > > >>> `hiResClockMs`) >> > > > > >>> 3. Provide methods for yielding the current thread (`sleep`, >> > > > > `waitObject`, >> > > > > >>> `waitForFuture`) >> > > > > >>> 4. Provide convenience methods for instantiating `Timer`s >> > (`timer`, >> > > > > >>> `timer`) >> > > > > >>> >> > > > > >>> Many of the classes which take a `Time` only need (1), >> especially >> > > in >> > > > > the >> > > > > >>> broker side, though it is arguable some of them ought to be >> using >> > > (2) >> > > > > (eg. >> > > > > >>> KAFKA-19888 < >> https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/KAFKA-19888 >> > >). >> > > I >> > > > > would >> > > > > >>> be more supportive if `Time` was more focused and limited to >> (1) >> > > and >> > > > > maybe >> > > > > >>> (2). I appreciate this is easier said than done since we have >> to >> > > mock >> > > > > (1), >> > > > > >>> (2) and (3) together in tests. (4) could be split out entirely >> > > since >> > > > we >> > > > > >>> don't mock `Timer`s at all. `KafkaStreams` in particular >> seems to >> > > > > mainly >> > > > > >>> use (1) with some occasional usage of (2). >> > > > > >>> >> > > > > >>> Kind regards, >> > > > > >>> Sean >> > > > > >>> >> > > > > >>> On Wed, Dec 17, 2025 at 6:38 AM Siddhartha Devineni < >> > > > > >>> [email protected]> wrote: >> > > > > >>> >> > > > > >>>> Hi all, >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>>> The KIP has been updated to include only the Bytes API to be >> > part >> > > of >> > > > > the >> > > > > >>>> public API. >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>>> Here is the KIP's link again: >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>> >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/KAFKA/KIP-1247%3A+Make+Bytes+utils+class+part+of+the+public+API >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>>> Thanks and best regards, >> > > > > >>>> Siddhartha >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>>> On Wed, Dec 17, 2025 at 11:36 AM Siddhartha Devineni < >> > > > > >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>>>> Hi Kirk, >> > > > > >>>>> >> > > > > >>>>> Thank you for your suggestion. >> > > > > >>>>> Yes, that seems to be so. >> > > > > >>>>> >> > > > > >>>>> Then, I will update the KIP to include only the Bytes API >> to be >> > > > > >>> public. >> > > > > >>>>> >> > > > > >>>>> Best regards, >> > > > > >>>>> Siddhartha >> > > > > >>>>> >> > > > > >>>>> On Wed, Dec 17, 2025 at 6:44 AM Kirk True < >> [email protected]> >> > > > wrote: >> > > > > >>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>> Hi Siddhartha, >> > > > > >>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>> It seems prudent to refocus this KIP on promoting the Bytes >> > API >> > > to >> > > > > be >> > > > > >>>>>> public and then file a separate KIP for the Time API. It's >> > more >> > > > > >>>> overhead, >> > > > > >>>>>> but it unblock Bytes since Time seems to need a little more >> > > work. >> > > > > >>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>> Thanks, >> > > > > >>>>>> Kirk >> > > > > >>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>> On Tue, Dec 16, 2025, at 3:07 AM, Siddhartha Devineni >> wrote: >> > > > > >>>>>>> Hi all, >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> Thank you for the feedback. >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> @Sean, I understand your concern about "Time" not being >> > > suitable >> > > > > >>> for a >> > > > > >>>>>>> public API in its current state. >> > > > > >>>>>>> Could you elaborate on what specific issues make it a >> > "dumping >> > > > > >>>> ground"? >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> Regarding your suggestion to exclude the Streams >> constructors >> > > > > >>>> accepting >> > > > > >>>>>>> "Time" from the public API - I want to clarify the >> > > implications: >> > > > > >>>>>>> The constructor KafkaStreams(Topology, Properties, Time) >> is >> > > > > >>> currently >> > > > > >>>>>>> public and has been available for several releases. >> > > > > >>>>>>> Making it non-public or removing it would be a breaking >> > change >> > > > that >> > > > > >>>>>> would >> > > > > >>>>>>> affect any users currently using this constructor. >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> What do you have in mind? >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> 1. Deprecate the constructor now and remove it in a future >> > > major >> > > > > >>>>>> version, or >> > > > > >>>>>>> 2. Make it package-private (which would break existing >> code >> > > > > >>>>>> immediately)? >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> @Kirk, Thank you for pointing that out. >> > > > > >>>>>>> You're absolutely right that making "Time" public would >> > require >> > > > > >>> making >> > > > > >>>>>>> "Timer" public as well, since Time.timer() returns Timer >> > > objects. >> > > > > >>>>>>> This does expand the scope considerably. >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> Given this expanding scope and Sean's concerns about the >> Time >> > > API >> > > > > >>>>>> design, >> > > > > >>>>>>> would it make sense to split this KIP into two parts or >> > create >> > > a >> > > > > >>>>>>> separate KIP for the "Time" API and its implications? >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> Best regards, >> > > > > >>>>>>> Siddhartha >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> On Tue, Dec 16, 2025 at 6:18 AM Kirk True < >> [email protected] >> > > >> > > > > >>> wrote: >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>> Hi all, >> > > > > >>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>> Sean: which parts of the Time API are the most clunky? >> The >> > > > > >>>>>> waitForFuture() >> > > > > >>>>>>>> and waitObject() methods seem like they could be moved >> > > > elsewhere, >> > > > > >>>> but >> > > > > >>>>>> the >> > > > > >>>>>>>> others seem OK. >> > > > > >>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>> Siddhartha: because the Time API creates Timer objects, >> we'd >> > > > > >>> need to >> > > > > >>>>>>>> promote Timer to the public API, too. >> > > > > >>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>> Thanks, >> > > > > >>>>>>>> Kirk >> > > > > >>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>> On Fri, Dec 12, 2025, at 7:12 AM, Sean Quah via dev >> wrote: >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> Hi Siddhartha, >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> Thanks for the KIP! I'm okay making `Bytes` public. >> > However, >> > > > > >>> the >> > > > > >>>>>> `Time` >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> interface is a bit of a dumping ground for time-related >> > > things >> > > > > >>>> and I >> > > > > >>>>>>>> would >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> not be in favor of making it public in its current >> state. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> Is it possible to exclude the streams constructors >> > accepting >> > > > > >>>>>> `Time`s from >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> the public API instead? >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> Kind regards, >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> Sean Quah >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM Siddhartha Devineni < >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> Hello Kafka Community, >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> I would like to start a discussion on KIP-1247, which >> > > > > >>> proposes >> > > > > >>>> to >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> officially make the "Bytes" and "Time" utils classes >> part >> > of >> > > > > >>>>>> Kafka's >> > > > > >>>>>>>> public >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> API. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> *KIP Link:* >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>> >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>> >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/KAFKA/KIP-1247%3A+Make+Bytes+and+Time+utils+classes+part+of+the+public+API >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> *Background:* >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> Currently, "org.apache.kafka.common.utils.Bytes" and >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> "org.apache.kafka.common.utils.Time" are exposed >> through >> > > > > >>>> numerous >> > > > > >>>>>>>> public >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> API interfaces in Kafka Streams and other components, >> yet >> > > > > >>> they >> > > > > >>>>>> are not >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> officially designated as public API since the utils >> > package >> > > > > >>> is >> > > > > >>>> not >> > > > > >>>>>>>> included >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> in Javadoc generation. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> This creates confusion for users who cannot determine >> if >> > > > > >>> these >> > > > > >>>>>> classes >> > > > > >>>>>>>> are >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> officially supported, and causes broken Javadoc >> > references. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> *Proposal:* >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> This KIP proposes to: >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> 1. Include "Bytes" and "Time" in Javadoc generation, >> > > > > >>>> officially >> > > > > >>>>>>>> making >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> them part of the public API >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> 2. Move other internal utility classes to an >> "internals" >> > > > > >>>>>> subpackage >> > > > > >>>>>>>> to >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> prevent similar issues in the future >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> *Impact:*This change has no compatibility impact - all >> > > > > >>> classes >> > > > > >>>>>> remain >> > > > > >>>>>>>> in >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> their current locations and no user code changes are >> > > > > >>> required. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> You can find more details in the attached KIP link. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> Looking forward to your thoughts. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> Thank you. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> Best regards. >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> Siddhartha >> > > > > >>>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>>> >> > > > > >>>>> >> > > > > >>>> >> > > > > >>> >> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> >
