Introducing VARIANT Data Type in Apache Iceberg V3

AWS Big Data · 2026-06-09 · data

A recent article highlights the introduction of the VARIANT data type in Apache Iceberg version 3. This is the first part of a two-part series that covers the fundamental aspects of creating an Iceberg V3 table featuring a VARIANT column. The article details the process of inserting semi-structured data into the table and demonstrates how to query this data using the variant_get() function.

The second part of the series will focus on scaling the implementation to handle millions of rows. It will include a performance benchmark comparing the VARIANT data type against traditional string storage, evaluating differences in query performance and storage efficiency. This exploration aims to provide insights into the advantages of using VARIANT for managing semi-structured data in data lakes.

Why it matters for certification candidates

Understanding data types like VARIANT is crucial for those pursuing certifications in data engineering and analytics, such as AWS Certified Data Analytics or Google Professional Data Engineer. Familiarity with modern data formats and storage solutions can enhance your skill set in handling complex data structures.

Original reporting: AWS Big Data