tidyr
tidyr replaced separate() with a family that says what it does.
Comparison · Analytics
Apache TsFile vs iris
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Apache TsFile and iris — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Apache TsFile vs iris: at a glance
What is Apache TsFile?
TsFile is quietly rebuilding itself as an Arrow-speaking interchange format
Apache TsFile is the columnar time-series file format underlying IoTDB, maintained as three parallel implementations in Java, C++ and Python. Recent releases have concentrated on the C++ and Python ends: SIMD paths and parallel reads in 2.4.0, an Arrow-compatible result path from C++ through to Python DataFrames in 2.3.0, and conversion scripts from CSV, Parquet and Arrow into TsFile in 2.3.1. The Java side gets steadier, smaller work — serialized-size calculation, schema modification during writes, encryption configuration.
What is iris?
Iris ships steadily on a two-a-year cadence, but its feed publishes only pointers.
Iris tags a release candidate roughly every four to five months — 3.13 through 3.16 over the past year — and the cadence is the only thing the feed actually reports. Every entry is the same seven-line template: a line saying this is a release candidate, conda-forge and PyPI install commands, and a link to a 'What's New' page held elsewhere. No release notes reach the feed at all.
Apache TsFile vs iris: editorial side-by-side
Apache TsFile
2.5ANALYTICS
TsFile is quietly rebuilding itself as an Arrow-speaking interchange format
◆ Current state
Apache TsFile is the columnar time-series file format underlying IoTDB, maintained as three parallel implementations in Java, C++ and Python. Recent releases have concentrated on the C++ and Python ends: SIMD paths and parallel reads in 2.4.0, an Arrow-compatible result path from C++ through to Python DataFrames in 2.3.0, and conversion scripts from CSV, Parquet and Arrow into TsFile in 2.3.1. The Java side gets steadier, smaller work — serialized-size calculation, schema modification during writes, encryption configuration.
◆ Where it's heading
The centre of gravity has moved from format features to ecosystem reach. Arrow-backed DataFrames and format converters are not about storing time series better; they are about making TsFile readable by the Python analytics stack without a translation layer, which is the gap that keeps a specialized format confined to its own database. The C++ performance work in 2.4.0 serves the same end, since the Python bindings sit on top of it. Version numbering runs on two lines at once, with 1.1.x backports still shipping alongside the 2.x series.
◆ Prediction
Given the direction of the Arrow work, the Python interface is the most likely target for further capability rather than the Java one. The notes do not indicate when the 1.1 maintenance line ends.
iris
2.5ANALYTICS
Iris ships steadily on a two-a-year cadence, but its feed publishes only pointers.
◆ Current state
Iris tags a release candidate roughly every four to five months — 3.13 through 3.16 over the past year — and the cadence is the only thing the feed actually reports. Every entry is the same seven-line template: a line saying this is a release candidate, conda-forge and PyPI install commands, and a link to a 'What's New' page held elsewhere. No release notes reach the feed at all.
◆ Where it's heading
The version numbers say a mature Met Office library is being maintained on a predictable schedule; nothing in the published entries says what is being maintained. Until the project puts release content in the tag body, its public trail will read as cadence without substance, and readers have to leave the feed to learn anything. The pattern has been identical across four consecutive releases, so it is a deliberate publishing choice rather than an oversight.
◆ Prediction
Expect v3.17.0rc0 around late 2026 on the same schedule, carrying the same boilerplate — the notes will again live on the documentation site rather than in the release entry.
Alternatives to Apache TsFile and iris
Other Analytics products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Apache TsFile or iris.
modeltime
modeltime built conformal intervals in, then went quiet on features.
performance
performance keeps adding ways to check a model you have already fitted.
cmdstanpy
CmdStanPy is clearing deprecations ahead of a 2.0 it keeps announcing.
dowhy
DoWhy adds one estimation method a year and keeps its identification edge.
OpenHouse
OpenHouse is hardening the seams where table policies and jobs quietly fail.
See all Apache TsFile alternatives → · See all iris alternatives →
Recent activity from Apache TsFile and iris
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 13d agoirisv3.16.0rc0
- 20d agoApache TsFileSIMD and parallel read paths in Apache TsFile 2.4.0
- 2mo agoApache TsFileCSV, Parquet and Arrow conversion scripts for TsFile 2.3.1
- 3mo agoApache TsFileArrow-backed DataFrames and paginated reads in TsFile 2.3.0
- 3mo agoApache TsFileWrite-time schema changes and read/write encryption in TsFile 2.2.1
- 4mo agoirisv3.15.0rc0
- 7mo agoApache TsFilePython text types and C++ tag filtering in TsFile 2.2.0
- 7mo agoApache TsFileBackport maintenance on the TsFile 1.1 line
- 9mo agoirisv3.14.0rc0
- 1y agoirisv3.13.0rc0
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Apache TsFile and iris?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Apache TsFile and iris are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 2.5 vs 2.5, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is Apache TsFile better than iris?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Apache TsFile and iris are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 2.5 vs 2.5, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Analytics products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to Apache TsFile?
Top Apache TsFile alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Apache TsFile alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/apache-tsfile for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to iris?
Top iris alternatives in Analytics are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "iris alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/scitools-iris for the full list with editorial commentary on each.