Apache Ignite

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about Apache Ignite
the memory-first distributed SQL database

What is Apache Ignite?

Apache Ignite is a memory-first distributed SQL database built for high-velocity data workloads where milliseconds matter.

Memory-first storage with optional persistence
Data colocation for local query execution
Distributed ACID transactions across partitions
Distributed SQL with indexes and joins
Compute and data streaming APIs

Speed Without Compromise

Memory-first architecture delivers microsecond latencies. Data lives in RAM, not behind disk I/O.

Scale Without Penalties

Data colocation keeps related data together, eliminating cross-node join penalties.

Consistency Without Tradeoffs

ACID transactions across partitions. No eventual consistency compromises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Apache Ignite?

How is Ignite 3 different from Ignite 2?

Ignite 3 represents an architectural evolution from cache-centric platform to database-first design:

Aspect	Ignite 2	Ignite 3
Primary API	Cache API	Table API
Schema	Optional via configuration	Required via SQL DDL
Transactions	6 modes	Single mode (strict serializable)
Consistency	Configurable	Strong by default (Raft)
SQL	Optional addon	Primary interface (Calcite)
Data Placement	Manual	Schema-driven colocation

Both versions remain under Apache Software Foundation governance for different use cases.

Which version should I use?

Use Apache Ignite 2 for new projects and production deployments. It is actively developed and maintained.

Status (October 2026). There are currently no plans for the next Apache Ignite 3 release. Ignite 3.1.0 remains available. For new projects and production deployments the community recommends Apache Ignite 2.x, which is actively developed and maintained. Questions: user@ignite.apache.org.

Read the Documentation

What languages and clients are supported?

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