How to Retrieve the History Size of a Running Workflow in Temporal?

Community Support
1

I’m currently working with the Temporal Java SDK and I’m trying to retrieve the history size of a running workflow. I understand that Workflow.getInfo().getHistoryLength() gives me the number of history events, but I am looking for a way to get the actual history size (in MB) for a running workflow.

Is there a built-in method or a recommended approach to get the size of the workflow history (not just the event count) from inside the running workflow?

I have explored the DescribeWorkflowExecution API to get this information externally, but I am specifically interested in finding out if there is a way to retrieve this from within the running workflow itself.

Any insights or pointers to documentation would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

2

According to the JavaDoc, the getHistorySize returns the size in bytes. getHistoryLength returns the number of events:

  /**
   * @return length of Workflow history up until the current moment of execution. This value changes
   *     during the lifetime of a Workflow Execution. You may use this information to decide when to
   *     call {@link Workflow#continueAsNew(Object...)}.
   */
  long getHistoryLength();

  /**
   * @return size of Workflow history in bytes up until the current moment of execution. This value
   *     changes during the lifetime of a Workflow Execution.
   */
  long getHistorySize();
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3

Thanks for your quick response! I’m now able to access the history size. It turns out I was using an older version of the SDK, which is why I wasn’t able to see it. After updating to the latest version (1.28.3), I can access the history size and successfully implement the changes.

I really appreciate your support. Thanks again!

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