API Release Notes

See Finding Your Alation Version for help determining which version of Alation you're using.

2025.1.3 API Release Notes

Updated

Aggregated Context API

The Aggregated Context API (Beta) has been updated to work with queries that use a table and tables that are mentioned by a query.

  • The signature parameter's query > fields_required and query > fields_optional properties can now specify mentioned_tables as a required or optional field. The query object now has a child_objects property where you can specify which fields to return for tables that are mentioned by the query, as well as for child columns of those tables.
  • The signature parameter's table > fields_required and table > fields_optional properties can now specify common_queries as a required or optional field. The table > child_objects property now has a common_queries property where you can specify which fields to return for queries that use the table.
  • When returning table information, the relevant_tables object will have a new property, common_queries, that gives information about queries that commonly use the table. This property is not returned when tables are returned as children of another object.
  • When returning query information, the relevant_queries object will have a new property, mentioned_tables, that gives information about tables used in the query. This property is not returned when queries are returned as children of another object.

(AL-187564)

Data Dictionary API

The Data Dictionary API's Get data dictionary task details endpoint has been updated to return information about partial successes. The following changes have been made to the endpoint's 200 response:

  • The status property now returns a value of PARTIALLY_SUCCEEDED if some objects were updated correctly but some weren't.
  • A new property, results, contains details on the total number of rows in the data dictionary, the number that failed, and the number that succeeded.
  • A new property, ts_created, indicates when the task was created.
  • A new property, ts_updated, indicates when the task was last updated.
  • Properties of the dd_resource object have been renamed.
    • The object_id property has been renamed to oid.
    • The object_type property has been renamed to otype.
  • Properties of the progress object have been renamed.
    • The total_number_of_batches property has been renamed to total_batches.
    • The number_of_batches_completed property has been renamed to batches_completed.
  • We fixed some errors in the documentation:
    • The property report_download_link was not documented. This property contains a link to download the report file.
    • The property job_id has been removed from the documentation. It was included in error. The response doesn't include this property.

(AL-175320)

Deprecation and sunset notices

Upload Logical Metadata (ULM) API

The Upload Logical Metadata (ULM) API has now been deprecated.

Definitions

  • Deprecation: The API is no longer supported. The API will still be accessible to end users.
  • Sunset: The API is no longer supported. The API will be removed from the product and will no longer function.

What is happening

  • ULM Deprecation: 2025.1 Release (March 2025)
  • ULM Sunset: 2025.3 Release (September 2025)

What to expect

  • Alation does not recommend the usage of the ULM API. Use the alternative APIs listed in the table below instead.
  • Alation will no longer prioritize support efforts on the ULM API after the 2025.1 release and reserves the right to decline support requests.

If you have any questions, please contact Alation Support.

Alternative APIs

Object TypeFieldsAlternative API
ArticleTitle and bodyArticles API
ArticleCustom field valuesNone. Migrate articles to Document Hubs and then use the Documents API. See Risks with the ULM API .
Data source (OCF) objectTitle and descriptionData Sources API (OCF)
Data source (native) objectTitle and descriptionData Sources API
DocumentTitle, description, and custom field valuesDocuments API
Schema, table, and columnTitle and descriptionRelational Integration API
Schema, table, and columnCustom field valuesCustom Field Values Async API
TermTitle, description, and custom field valuesTerms API
Other supported object typesCustom field valuesCustom Field Values Async API

Risks with the ULM API

Alation Cloud Services (ACS) customers using the Upload Logical Metadata (ULM) API may not see Title, Description, or Custom Field Value updates reflected correctly in the Alation UI.

Why this is a risk

Alation is enabling Logical Metadata Services for all customers on ACS. This is a new infrastructure designed to bring performance and scalability benefits anywhere title, description, and custom field value metadata is involved. When Logical Metadata Services are enabled, the Alation UI serves content from Logical Metadata Services, instead of a legacy infrastructure. Updates made via the Upload Logical Metadata (ULM) API reflect in the legacy infrastructure only, and are not supported by Logical Metadata Services.

What are my options

Alation Cloud Service

  • The ULM API is deprecated as of the 2025.1 Release (March 2025). Alation does not recommend using the ULM API. Use alternative APIs listed above instead.
  • Temporary opt-outs of Logical Metadata Services enablement have also ceased as of 2025.1.

Customer-managed (on-premises)

  • Alation does not recommend using the ULM API. Use alternative APIs listed above instead. The ULM API is deprecated as of the 2025.1 Release (March 2025).
  • No action is required regarding Logical Metadata Services enablement. Logical Metadata Services are not available in customer-managed instances of Alation.