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The Prometheus conference — September 11 - 12 in Berlin

Talk abstract

Inside a PromQL Query: Understanding the Mechanics

Speaker(s): Bryan Boreham

Ever wondered what happens under the hood when you execute a PromQL query? Join us for a deep dive into the internals of Prometheus as we trace the data flow from its origin to its final destination at the API.

In this session, we will explore:

  • How selectors are looked up in the "postings" index,
  • How samples are selected for instant and range queries,
  • How functions take different types of input,
  • The three different styles of aggregations,
  • How operators join rows from different series,
  • Final sorting and formatting into JSON

This talk aims to equip Prometheus users with a deeper understanding of query efficiency. We'll also highlight recent optimizations that have significantly improved query performance. Whether you're a seasoned user or just getting started, this session will provide valuable insights into making your PromQL queries more effective.

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