# Messages: delete

# Overview

The Data API does not support deleting specific message records.

Instead the database automatically deletes expired messages records. The message expires when its insertion time is older than current time minus the Time to Live (TTL) interval.

Expiration is based on the insertion time (time when the database received the message), as opposed to the message record time.

# Retention Settings

The TTL interval is set with the messages.timeToLive setting on the Settings > Server Properties page. The setting is specified in seconds. The default interval is 31536000 (365 * 24 * 3600 = 1 year).

To modify the TTL, open the Settings > Configuration File page or the /opt/atsd/atsd/conf/server.properties file.

Calculate the new retention interval in seconds, for example 14 days is 14 * 24 * 3600 = 1209600.

Add or modify messages.timeToLive setting with the new value.

messages.timeToLive = 1209600

Restart the ATSD process. Restarting HBase and HDFS is not necessary.

/opt/atsd/bin/atsd-tsd.sh stop

/opt/atsd/bin/atsd-tsd.sh start

# Deleting All Messages

Open the Settings > Storage > Clear Messages page.

Click Clear Messages to remove all message records.