Troubleshoot delta datasets

This article describes a unique situation where, if certain steps are taken, records in the dataset may not accurately update.

Basically, when delta datasets is enabled, the system takes a snapshot and saves it in the DllsFolder (as defined in the site connections file) under a folder called DeltaDataSets. It creates an xml file of the snapshot and temporarily names the file "processing" while the job is running. Upon notification from the server that the job was successful, it renames the file to "success" (name = connection_jobname_hashcode_success.xml) - which is how the system "finds" the 'last successful snapshot' for the delta or change.

Then Optimizely {user["product-name"]} uses a hash (previously from step parameters, changed to the select string in Version 4.1) to determine the basic format of the dataset. It generates a new dataset and compares it against the last 'successful' dataset and persists the differences to the {user["product-name"]} database.

If deltas are enabled and the format is changed, the next snapshot will then become the new baseline since there is nothing for comparison.

When a step parameter is used and it is changed at runtime, a new hash value is created. This results in certain records being missed and ultimately not being deleted.

If, for example, the data changes (mostly affects deletions) between the last refresh and the current changed delta, then these deletes will be skipped and will forever remain active in the database.

If delta datasets are established AND the selection is changed: