processingfrom

Processingfrom is a term used in data processing and software architecture to describe the practice of starting a data processing workflow from a defined point in the data stream or state, rather than from the beginning. It encompasses the idea of resuming or initiating processing at a specified checkpoint, offset, timestamp, or other resume point. While not a formal standard, the concept is widely referenced in documentation and configuration for streaming, batch, and event-driven systems.

In practice, processingfrom can indicate several concrete starting points. In streaming systems, it may specify where a consumer should begin reading messages, such as from a given offset in a log, from a particular timestamp, or from the latest available messages. In batch or ETL pipelines, it can denote resuming processing after an error by loading a stored checkpoint. In event-sourced or CDC-based architectures, processingfrom relates to replaying events starting at a chosen version or eventID.

Key considerations include ensuring correctness and idempotence. Systems supporting processingfrom often require idempotent transformations or compensating logic to avoid duplicating work when reprocessing data. Robust handling is needed for missing, corrupted, or out-of-range starting points, along with clear semantics for how reprocessing interacts with downstream state.

See also: checkpoint, offset, timestamp, resume, replay, fault tolerance, idempotence.