Writing external functions¶

External functions are user-defined functions that are stored and executed outside of Snowflake.

External functions make it easier to access external API services such as geocoders, machine learning models, and other custom code running outside of Snowflake. This feature eliminates the need to export and reimport data when using third-party services, significantly simplifying your data pipelines.

Introduction to external functions

Learn about external functions, which call executable code that is developed, maintained, stored, and executed outside Snowflake.

Remote service input and output data formats

Understand the data formats sent and received by Snowflake.

Using request and response translators with data for a remote service

Change the format of data sent to and received from remote services.

Designing high-performance external functions

Design high-performance functions with these tips on asynchronous services, scalability, concurrency, and reliability.

External functions best practices

Improve efficiency and prevent unexpected results with these best practices.

Securing an external function

Create secure external functions.