parse_bytes
This page explains how to use the parse_bytes function in APL.
The parse_bytes function parses a string representation of data size (like 1 KB, 500 MB) and returns the numeric value in bytes. Use this function to convert human-readable byte strings from logs or configuration files into numeric values for calculations and comparisons.
Usage
Syntax
parse_bytes(bytes_string, base)Parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| bytes_string | string | Yes | A string representing a data size with units (for example, 1 KB, 500 MB, 2 GB). |
| base | int | No | Either 2 (default, 1024-based) or 10 (1000-based) for unit calculations. |
Returns
Returns the numeric value in bytes, or 0 if the string can't be parsed.
Use case examples
Parse human-readable size strings to analyze and aggregate data transfer volumes.
Query
['sample-http-logs']
| extend size_bytes = parse_bytes('512 KB')
| where req_duration_ms > 3
| summarize total_bytes = sum(size_bytes), request_count = count() by status
| sort by total_bytes desc
| limit 10Output
| status | total_bytes | request_count |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | 4587520 | 8765 |
| 500 | 1048576 | 2341 |
| 404 | 524288 | 1234 |
This query parses size strings to calculate total data transfer by HTTP status code, enabling volume-based analysis of API usage.
Convert size strings from span attributes to numeric bytes for threshold-based analysis.
Query
['otel-demo-traces']
| extend payload_size = parse_bytes('256 KB', 2)
| where duration > 100ms
| summarize avg_size = avg(payload_size), span_count = count() by ['service.name']
| sort by avg_size desc
| limit 10Output
| service.name | avg_size | span_count |
|---|---|---|
| checkout | 262144 | 3421 |
| frontend | 262144 | 4532 |
| cart | 262144 | 2987 |
This query converts size strings to bytes for numeric analysis of payload sizes across different services.
List of related functions
- format_bytes: Formats numeric bytes as human-readable strings. Use this to reverse the parsing operation.
- strlen: Returns the length of a string. Use this when you need string length rather than byte parsing.