---
type: concept
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  pageDirectory: concepts
  sources:
    - delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md
  confidence: 0.7
  provenanceState: inferred
  freshnessStatus: unverified
  aliases:
    - apache-iceberg-metadata-version-parsing
    - AIMVP
  citations:
    - file: delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md
title: Apache Iceberg Metadata Version Parsing
description: The requirement that Apache Iceberg metadata file names follow a specific version convention; failures in parsing the version from metadata locations can cause ingress violations.
tags:
  - iceberg
  - metadata
  - file-naming
timestamp: "2026-06-18T11:56:30.599Z"
---

---
title: Apache Iceberg Metadata Version Parsing
summary: The mechanism by which Delta Uniform reads Iceberg metadata files, including version extraction and common failure modes.
sources:
  - delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md
kind: concept
createdAt: "2026-06-18T12:00:00.000Z"
updatedAt: "2026-06-18T12:00:00.000Z"
tags:
  - iceberg
  - delta-uniform
  - metadata
  - versioning
  - error-handling
aliases:
  - iceberg-metadata-version-parsing
  - IMVP
confidence: 0.95
provenanceState: extracted
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---

# Apache Iceberg Metadata Version Parsing

**Apache Iceberg Metadata Version Parsing** refers to the process by which [Delta Uniform](/concepts/delta-uniform.md) reads and interprets Apache Iceberg metadata files to determine the current state of an Iceberg table. When Delta Uniform attempts to read an Iceberg table, it parses version information from metadata locations to identify the correct metadata file and apply the latest snapshot.

## Overview

Delta Uniform provides compatibility between [Delta Lake](/concepts/delta-lake.md) and [Apache Iceberg](/concepts/uniform-apache-iceberg-format.md) formats by maintaining Iceberg metadata alongside Delta table data. When reading an Iceberg table through Delta Uniform, the system parses version numbers from metadata file locations to determine which metadata version should be applied. ^[delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

## Version Extraction

The version of an Iceberg metadata file is embedded in its file name following a specific convention. Delta Uniform extracts this version from the metadata location path to identify the correct file and apply the appropriate snapshot. ^[delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

## Common Failure Mode

The primary failure scenario for metadata version parsing occurs when Delta Uniform cannot extract or validate version information from metadata file locations. This results in the following error: ^[delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

```
Failed to parse version from existing metadata location <existingLocation> or current metadata location <currentLocation>
```

This error indicates that the system could not determine the version number from one or both metadata file paths. ^[delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

## Causes of Version Parsing Failure

### Improper File Naming Convention

The most common cause of version parsing failure is an improperly named metadata file. Apache Iceberg requires a specific naming convention for metadata files, typically following the pattern `v<version>-<uuid>.metadata.json`. If the file name deviates from this convention (for example, due to a custom Iceberg writer implementation or manual intervention), Delta Uniform cannot extract the version number. ^[delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

### Manual Changes to Metadata

Manual modifications to Iceberg metadata files or their naming can cause version parsing to fail. The error message specifically asks: "Is there manual change to the `_delta_log`?" This suggests that unintended alterations to the underlying Delta log may invalidate the Iceberg metadata version mapping. ^[delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

## Related Error: MUST_REFRESH_SAME_TABLE

A related error occurs when attempting to refresh an existing Iceberg table with metadata from a different Iceberg table UUID. Delta Uniform does not support refreshing metadata from one table UUID onto a table with a different UUID. Additionally, the metadata location being refreshed must have a higher version number than the existing metadata location. If the version ordering is violated, the refresh fails. ^[delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

## Troubleshooting

To resolve version parsing failures: ^[delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md]

1. **Check file naming conventions** — Verify that Iceberg metadata files follow the Apache Iceberg naming convention (e.g., `v<version>-<uuid>.metadata.json`).
2. **Review the Iceberg writer** — Ensure that the tool or application writing Iceberg metadata is using standard file naming conventions.
3. **Inspect manual changes** — Review any manual modifications to the `_delta_log` or Iceberg metadata directory that might have altered file names or version mappings.

## Related Concepts

- [Delta Uniform](/concepts/delta-uniform.md) — The compatibility layer between Delta Lake and Apache Iceberg
- [Apache Iceberg](/concepts/uniform-apache-iceberg-format.md) — The open table format supported by Delta Uniform
- [Delta Lake](/concepts/delta-lake.md) — The underlying storage format for Delta Uniform tables
- Iceberg Metadata Files — Files containing the current state and schema of an Iceberg table
- MISSING_UNIFORM_TBL_PROPERTIES — A related error condition involving missing table properties

## Sources

- delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md

# Citations

1. [delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws.md](/references/delta_uniform_iceberg_ingress_violation-error-condition-databricks-on-aws-37d8ed72.md)
