Add a way to create task with custom jobs (#5536)

This PR adds an option to specify file to job mapping explicitly during
task creation. This option is incompatible with most other job-related
parameters like `sorting_method` and `frame_step`.

- Added a new task creation parameter (`job_file_mapping`) to set a
custom file to job mapping during task creation

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
   (<https://github.com/opencv/cvat/pull/5535>)
 - \[SDK\] Class to represent a project as a PyTorch dataset
   (<https://github.com/opencv/cvat/pull/5523>)
+- Support for custom file to job splits in tasks (server API & SDK only)
+  (<https://github.com/opencv/cvat/pull/5536>)
 - \[SDK\] A PyTorch adapter setting to disable cache updates
   (<https://github.com/opencv/cvat/pull/5549>)
 - YOLO v7 serverless feature added using ONNX backend (<https://github.com/opencv/cvat/pull/5552>)

cvat-sdk/cvat_sdk/core/proxies/tasks.py

@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ class Task(
                     "stop_frame",
                     "use_cache",
                     "use_zip_chunks",
+                    "job_file_mapping",
                     "filename_pattern",
                     "cloud_storage_id",
                 ],

cvat-sdk/cvat_sdk/core/uploading.py

@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ class DataUploader(Uploader):
                 )
             response = self._client.api_client.rest_client.POST(
                 url,
-                post_params=dict(**kwargs, **files),
+                post_params={"image_quality": kwargs["image_quality"], **files},
                 headers={
                     "Content-Type": "multipart/form-data",
                     "Upload-Multiple": "",

cvat/apps/engine/backup.py

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from enum import Enum
 import re
 import shutil
 import tempfile
+from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable
 import uuid
 from zipfile import ZipFile
 from datetime import datetime
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ from cvat.apps.engine.utils import av_scan_paths, process_failed_job, configure_
 from cvat.apps.engine.models import (
     StorageChoice, StorageMethodChoice, DataChoice, Task, Project, Location,
     CloudStorage as CloudStorageModel)
-from cvat.apps.engine.task import _create_thread
+from cvat.apps.engine.task import JobFileMapping, _create_thread
 from cvat.apps.dataset_manager.views import TASK_CACHE_TTL, PROJECT_CACHE_TTL, get_export_cache_dir, clear_export_cache, log_exception
 from cvat.apps.dataset_manager.bindings import CvatImportError
 from cvat.apps.engine.cloud_provider import db_storage_to_storage_instance
@@ -133,6 +134,8 @@ class _TaskBackupBase(_BackupBase):
             'storage',
             'sorting_method',
             'deleted_frames',
+            'custom_segments',
+            'job_file_mapping',
         }
 
         self._prepare_meta(allowed_fields, data)
@@ -331,6 +334,9 @@ class TaskExporter(_ExporterBase, _TaskBackupBase):
             segment = segment_serailizer.data
             segment.update(job_data)
 
+            if self._db_task.segment_size == 0:
+                segment.update(serialize_custom_file_mapping(db_segment))
+
             return segment
 
         def serialize_jobs():
@@ -338,12 +344,28 @@ class TaskExporter(_ExporterBase, _TaskBackupBase):
             db_segments.sort(key=lambda i: i.job_set.first().id)
             return (serialize_segment(s) for s in db_segments)
 
+        def serialize_custom_file_mapping(db_segment: models.Segment):
+            if self._db_task.mode == 'annotation':
+                files: Iterable[models.Image] = self._db_data.images.all().order_by('frame')
+                segment_files = files[db_segment.start_frame : db_segment.stop_frame + 1]
+                return {'files': list(frame.path for frame in segment_files)}
+            else:
+                assert False, (
+                    "Backups with custom file mapping are not supported"
+                    " in the 'interpolation' task mode"
+                )
+
         def serialize_data():
             data_serializer = DataSerializer(self._db_data)
             data = data_serializer.data
             data['chunk_type'] = data.pop('compressed_chunk_type')
+
             # There are no deleted frames in DataSerializer so we need to pick it
             data['deleted_frames'] = self._db_data.deleted_frames
+
+            if self._db_task.segment_size == 0:
+                data['custom_segments'] = True
+
             return self._prepare_data_meta(data)
 
         task = serialize_task()
@@ -491,6 +513,20 @@ class TaskImporter(_ImporterBase, _TaskBackupBase):
 
         return segment_size, overlap
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _parse_custom_segments(*, jobs: Dict[str, Any]) -> JobFileMapping:
+        segments = []
+
+        for i, segment in enumerate(jobs):
+            segment_size = segment['stop_frame'] - segment['start_frame'] + 1
+            segment_files = segment['files']
+            if len(segment_files) != segment_size:
+                raise ValidationError(f"segment {i}: segment files do not match segment size")
+
+            segments.append(segment_files)
+
+        return segments
+
     def _import_task(self):
         def _write_data(zip_object):
             data_path = self._db_task.data.get_upload_dirname()
@@ -519,10 +555,23 @@ class TaskImporter(_ImporterBase, _TaskBackupBase):
         jobs = self._manifest.pop('jobs')
 
         self._prepare_task_meta(self._manifest)
-        self._manifest['segment_size'], self._manifest['overlap'] = self._calculate_segment_size(jobs)
         self._manifest['owner_id'] = self._user_id
         self._manifest['project_id'] = self._project_id
 
+        if custom_segments := data.pop('custom_segments', False):
+            job_file_mapping = self._parse_custom_segments(jobs=jobs)
+            data['job_file_mapping'] = job_file_mapping
+
+            for d in [self._manifest, data]:
+                for k in [
+                    'segment_size', 'overlap', 'start_frame', 'stop_frame',
+                    'sorting_method', 'frame_filter', 'filename_pattern'
+                ]:
+                    d.pop(k, None)
+        else:
+            self._manifest['segment_size'], self._manifest['overlap'] = \
+                self._calculate_segment_size(jobs)
+
         self._db_task = models.Task.objects.create(**self._manifest, organization_id=self._org_id)
         task_path = self._db_task.get_dirname()
         if os.path.isdir(task_path):
@@ -550,7 +599,10 @@ class TaskImporter(_ImporterBase, _TaskBackupBase):
         data['use_zip_chunks'] = data.pop('chunk_type') == DataChoice.IMAGESET
         data = data_serializer.data
         data['client_files'] = uploaded_files
-        _create_thread(self._db_task.pk, data.copy(), True)
+        if custom_segments:
+            data['job_file_mapping'] = job_file_mapping
+
+        _create_thread(self._db_task.pk, data.copy(), isBackupRestore=True)
         db_data.start_frame = data['start_frame']
         db_data.stop_frame = data['stop_frame']
         db_data.frame_filter = data['frame_filter']

cvat/apps/engine/media_extractors.py

@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class ImageListReader(IMediaReader):
         if not source_path:
             raise Exception('No image found')
 
-        if stop is None:
+        if not stop:
             stop = len(source_path)
         else:
             stop = min(len(source_path), stop + 1)

cvat/apps/engine/models.py

@@ -344,6 +344,7 @@ class Task(models.Model):
     updated_date = models.DateTimeField(auto_now=True)
     overlap = models.PositiveIntegerField(null=True)
     # Zero means that there are no limits (default)
+    # Note that the files can be split into jobs in a custom way in this case
     segment_size = models.PositiveIntegerField(default=0)
     status = models.CharField(max_length=32, choices=StatusChoice.choices(),
                               default=StatusChoice.ANNOTATION)

cvat/apps/engine/serializers.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import re
 import shutil
 
 from tempfile import NamedTemporaryFile
+import textwrap
 from typing import OrderedDict
 
 from rest_framework import serializers, exceptions
@@ -362,6 +363,41 @@ class WriteOnceMixin:
 
         return extra_kwargs
 
+
+class JobFiles(serializers.ListField):
+    """
+    Read JobFileMapping docs for more info.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        kwargs.setdefault('child', serializers.CharField(allow_blank=False, max_length=1024))
+        kwargs.setdefault('allow_empty', False)
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+
+
+class JobFileMapping(serializers.ListField):
+    """
+    Represents a file-to-job mapping. Useful to specify a custom job
+    configuration during task creation. This option is not compatible with
+    most other job split-related options.
+
+    Example:
+    [
+        ["file1.jpg", "file2.jpg"], # job #1 files
+        ["file3.png"], # job #2 files
+        ["file4.jpg", "file5.png", "file6.bmp"], # job #3 files
+    ]
+
+    Files in the jobs must not overlap and repeat.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        kwargs.setdefault('child', JobFiles())
+        kwargs.setdefault('allow_empty', False)
+        kwargs.setdefault('help_text', textwrap.dedent(__class__.__doc__))
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+
+
 class DataSerializer(WriteOnceMixin, serializers.ModelSerializer):
     image_quality = serializers.IntegerField(min_value=0, max_value=100)
     use_zip_chunks = serializers.BooleanField(default=False)
@@ -372,12 +408,14 @@ class DataSerializer(WriteOnceMixin, serializers.ModelSerializer):
     copy_data = serializers.BooleanField(default=False)
     cloud_storage_id = serializers.IntegerField(write_only=True, allow_null=True, required=False)
     filename_pattern = serializers.CharField(allow_null=True, required=False)
+    job_file_mapping = JobFileMapping(required=False, write_only=True)
 
     class Meta:
         model = models.Data
         fields = ('chunk_size', 'size', 'image_quality', 'start_frame', 'stop_frame', 'frame_filter',
             'compressed_chunk_type', 'original_chunk_type', 'client_files', 'server_files', 'remote_files', 'use_zip_chunks',
-            'cloud_storage_id', 'use_cache', 'copy_data', 'storage_method', 'storage', 'sorting_method', 'filename_pattern')
+            'cloud_storage_id', 'use_cache', 'copy_data', 'storage_method', 'storage', 'sorting_method', 'filename_pattern',
+            'job_file_mapping')
 
     # pylint: disable=no-self-use
     def validate_frame_filter(self, value):
@@ -392,6 +430,21 @@ class DataSerializer(WriteOnceMixin, serializers.ModelSerializer):
             raise serializers.ValidationError('Chunk size must be a positive integer')
         return value
 
+    def validate_job_file_mapping(self, value):
+        existing_files = set()
+
+        for job_files in value:
+            for filename in job_files:
+                if filename in existing_files:
+                    raise serializers.ValidationError(
+                        f"The same file '{filename}' cannot be used multiple "
+                        "times in the job file mapping"
+                    )
+
+                existing_files.add(filename)
+
+        return value
+
     # pylint: disable=no-self-use
     def validate(self, attrs):
         if 'start_frame' in attrs and 'stop_frame' in attrs \
@@ -402,6 +455,7 @@ class DataSerializer(WriteOnceMixin, serializers.ModelSerializer):
 
     def create(self, validated_data):
         files = self._pop_data(validated_data)
+
         db_data = models.Data.objects.create(**validated_data)
         db_data.make_dirs()
 
@@ -424,6 +478,8 @@ class DataSerializer(WriteOnceMixin, serializers.ModelSerializer):
         server_files = validated_data.pop('server_files')
         remote_files = validated_data.pop('remote_files')
 
+        validated_data.pop('job_file_mapping', None) # optional
+
         for extra_key in { 'use_zip_chunks', 'use_cache', 'copy_data' }:
             validated_data.pop(extra_key)
 

cvat/apps/engine/task.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import itertools
 import fnmatch
 import os
 import sys
+from typing import Any, Dict, Iterator, List, NamedTuple, Optional, Union
 from rest_framework.serializers import ValidationError
 import rq
 import re
@@ -60,6 +61,17 @@ def rq_handler(job, exc_type, exc_value, traceback):
 
 ############################# Internal implementation for server API
 
+JobFileMapping = List[List[str]]
+
+class SegmentParams(NamedTuple):
+    start_frame: int
+    stop_frame: int
+
+class SegmentsParams(NamedTuple):
+    segments: Iterator[SegmentParams]
+    segment_size: int
+    overlap: int
+
 def _copy_data_from_source(server_files, upload_dir, server_dir=None):
     job = rq.get_current_job()
     job.meta['status'] = 'Data are being copied from source..'
@@ -79,37 +91,68 @@ def _copy_data_from_source(server_files, upload_dir, server_dir=None):
                 os.makedirs(target_dir)
             shutil.copyfile(source_path, target_path)
 
-def _get_task_segment_data(db_task, data_size):
-    segment_size = db_task.segment_size
-    segment_step = segment_size
-    if segment_size == 0 or segment_size > data_size:
-        segment_size = data_size
+def _get_task_segment_data(
+    db_task: models.Task,
+    *,
+    data_size: Optional[int] = None,
+    job_file_mapping: Optional[JobFileMapping] = None,
+) -> SegmentsParams:
+    if job_file_mapping is not None:
+        def _segments():
+            # It is assumed here that files are already saved ordered in the task
+            # Here we just need to create segments by the job sizes
+            start_frame = 0
+            for jf in job_file_mapping:
+                segment_size = len(jf)
+                stop_frame = start_frame + segment_size - 1
+                yield SegmentParams(start_frame, stop_frame)
+
+                start_frame = stop_frame + 1
+
+        segments = _segments()
+        segment_size = 0
+        overlap = 0
+    else:
+        # The segments have equal parameters
+        if data_size is None:
+            data_size = db_task.data.size
+
+        segment_size = db_task.segment_size
+        segment_step = segment_size
+        if segment_size == 0 or segment_size > data_size:
+            segment_size = data_size
+
+            # Segment step must be more than segment_size + overlap in single-segment tasks
+            # Otherwise a task contains an extra segment
+            segment_step = sys.maxsize
 
-        # Segment step must be more than segment_size + overlap in single-segment tasks
-        # Otherwise a task contains an extra segment
-        segment_step = sys.maxsize
+        overlap = 5 if db_task.mode == 'interpolation' else 0
+        if db_task.overlap is not None:
+            overlap = min(db_task.overlap, segment_size  // 2)
 
-    overlap = 5 if db_task.mode == 'interpolation' else 0
-    if db_task.overlap is not None:
-        overlap = min(db_task.overlap, segment_size  // 2)
+        segment_step -= overlap
+
+        segments = (
+            SegmentParams(start_frame, min(start_frame + segment_size - 1, data_size - 1))
+            for start_frame in range(0, data_size, segment_step)
+        )
 
-    segment_step -= overlap
-    return segment_step, segment_size, overlap
+    return SegmentsParams(segments, segment_size, overlap)
 
-def _save_task_to_db(db_task, extractor):
+def _save_task_to_db(db_task: models.Task, *, job_file_mapping: Optional[JobFileMapping] = None):
     job = rq.get_current_job()
     job.meta['status'] = 'Task is being saved in database'
     job.save_meta()
 
-    segment_step, segment_size, overlap = _get_task_segment_data(db_task, db_task.data.size)
+    segments, segment_size, overlap = _get_task_segment_data(
+        db_task=db_task, job_file_mapping=job_file_mapping
+    )
     db_task.segment_size = segment_size
     db_task.overlap = overlap
 
-    for start_frame in range(0, db_task.data.size, segment_step):
-        stop_frame = min(start_frame + segment_size - 1, db_task.data.size - 1)
-
-        slogger.glob.info("New segment for task #{}: start_frame = {}, \
-            stop_frame = {}".format(db_task.id, start_frame, stop_frame))
+    for segment_idx, (start_frame, stop_frame) in enumerate(segments):
+        slogger.glob.info("New segment for task #{}: idx = {}, start_frame = {}, \
+            stop_frame = {}".format(db_task.id, segment_idx, start_frame, stop_frame))
 
         db_segment = models.Segment()
         db_segment.task = db_task
@@ -214,6 +257,41 @@ def _validate_data(counter, manifest_files=None):
 
     return counter, task_modes[0]
 
+def _validate_job_file_mapping(
+    db_task: models.Task, data: Dict[str, Any]
+) -> Optional[JobFileMapping]:
+    job_file_mapping = data.get('job_file_mapping', None)
+
+    if job_file_mapping is None:
+        return None
+    elif not list(itertools.chain.from_iterable(job_file_mapping)):
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping cannot be empty")
+
+    if db_task.segment_size:
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping cannot be used with segment_size")
+
+    if (data.get('sorting_method', db_task.data.sorting_method)
+        != models.SortingMethod.LEXICOGRAPHICAL
+    ):
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping cannot be used with sorting_method")
+
+    if data.get('start_frame', db_task.data.start_frame):
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping cannot be used with start_frame")
+
+    if data.get('stop_frame', db_task.data.stop_frame):
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping cannot be used with stop_frame")
+
+    if data.get('frame_filter', db_task.data.frame_filter):
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping cannot be used with frame_filter")
+
+    if db_task.data.get_frame_step() != 1:
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping cannot be used with frame step")
+
+    if data.get('filename_pattern'):
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping cannot be used with filename_pattern")
+
+    return job_file_mapping
+
 def _validate_manifest(manifests, root_dir, is_in_cloud, db_cloud_storage, data_storage_method):
     if manifests:
         if len(manifests) != 1:
@@ -325,12 +403,20 @@ def _create_task_manifest_based_on_cloud_storage_manifest(
     manifest.create(sorted_content)
 
 @transaction.atomic
-def _create_thread(db_task, data, isBackupRestore=False, isDatasetImport=False):
+def _create_thread(
+    db_task: Union[int, models.Task],
+    data: Dict[str, Any],
+    *,
+    isBackupRestore: bool = False,
+    isDatasetImport: bool = False,
+) -> None:
     if isinstance(db_task, int):
         db_task = models.Task.objects.select_for_update().get(pk=db_task)
 
     slogger.glob.info("create task #{}".format(db_task.id))
 
+    job_file_mapping = _validate_job_file_mapping(db_task, data)
+
     db_data = db_task.data
     upload_dir = db_data.get_upload_dirname() if db_data.storage != models.StorageChoice.SHARE else settings.SHARE_ROOT
     is_data_in_cloud = db_data.storage == models.StorageChoice.CLOUD_STORAGE
@@ -387,11 +473,17 @@ def _create_thread(db_task, data, isBackupRestore=False, isDatasetImport=False):
     media = _count_files(data)
     media, task_mode = _validate_data(media, manifest_files)
 
+    if job_file_mapping is not None and task_mode != 'annotation':
+        raise ValidationError("job_file_mapping can't be used with sequence-based data like videos")
+
     if data['server_files']:
         if db_data.storage == models.StorageChoice.LOCAL:
             _copy_data_from_source(data['server_files'], upload_dir, data.get('server_files_path'))
         elif is_data_in_cloud:
-            sorted_media = sort(media['image'], data['sorting_method'])
+            if job_file_mapping is not None:
+                sorted_media = list(itertools.chain.from_iterable(job_file_mapping))
+            else:
+                sorted_media = sort(media['image'], data['sorting_method'])
 
             # Define task manifest content based on cloud storage manifest content and uploaded files
             _create_task_manifest_based_on_cloud_storage_manifest(
@@ -486,24 +578,44 @@ def _create_thread(db_task, data, isBackupRestore=False, isDatasetImport=False):
         extractor.filter(lambda x: not re.search(r'(^|{0})related_images{0}'.format(os.sep), x))
         related_images = detect_related_images(extractor.absolute_source_paths, upload_dir)
 
-    if isBackupRestore and not isinstance(extractor, MEDIA_TYPES['video']['extractor']) and db_data.storage_method == models.StorageMethodChoice.CACHE and \
-            db_data.sorting_method in {models.SortingMethod.RANDOM, models.SortingMethod.PREDEFINED} and validate_dimension.dimension != models.DimensionType.DIM_3D:
-        # we should sort media_files according to the manifest content sequence
-        # and we should do this in general after validation step for 3D data and after filtering from related_images
-        manifest = ImageManifestManager(db_data.get_manifest_path())
-        manifest.set_index()
+    # Sort the files
+    if (isBackupRestore and (
+            not isinstance(extractor, MEDIA_TYPES['video']['extractor'])
+            and db_data.storage_method == models.StorageMethodChoice.CACHE
+            and db_data.sorting_method in {models.SortingMethod.RANDOM, models.SortingMethod.PREDEFINED}
+            and validate_dimension.dimension != models.DimensionType.DIM_3D
+        ) or job_file_mapping
+    ):
         sorted_media_files = []
 
-        for idx in range(len(extractor.absolute_source_paths)):
-            properties = manifest[idx]
-            image_name = properties.get('name', None)
-            image_extension = properties.get('extension', None)
+        if job_file_mapping:
+            sorted_media_files.extend(itertools.chain.from_iterable(job_file_mapping))
+        else:
+            # we should sort media_files according to the manifest content sequence
+            # and we should do this in general after validation step for 3D data and after filtering from related_images
+            manifest = ImageManifestManager(db_data.get_manifest_path())
+            manifest.set_index()
+
+            for idx in range(len(extractor.absolute_source_paths)):
+                properties = manifest[idx]
+                image_name = properties.get('name', None)
+                image_extension = properties.get('extension', None)
+
+                full_image_path = f"{image_name}{image_extension}" if image_name and image_extension else None
+                if full_image_path:
+                    sorted_media_files.append(full_image_path)
+
+        sorted_media_files = [os.path.join(upload_dir, fn) for fn in sorted_media_files]
+
+        for file_path in sorted_media_files:
+            if not file_path in extractor:
+                raise ValidationError(
+                    f"Can't find file '{os.path.basename(file_path)}' in the input files"
+                )
 
-            full_image_path = os.path.join(upload_dir, f"{image_name}{image_extension}") if image_name and image_extension else None
-            if full_image_path and full_image_path in extractor:
-                sorted_media_files.append(full_image_path)
         media_files = sorted_media_files.copy()
         del sorted_media_files
+
         data['sorting_method'] = models.SortingMethod.PREDEFINED
         extractor.reconcile(
             source_files=media_files,
@@ -720,4 +832,4 @@ def _create_thread(db_task, data, isBackupRestore=False, isDatasetImport=False):
             db_data.start_frame + (db_data.size - 1) * db_data.get_frame_step())
 
     slogger.glob.info("Found frames {} for Data #{}".format(db_data.size, db_data.id))
-    _save_task_to_db(db_task, extractor)
+    _save_task_to_db(db_task, job_file_mapping=job_file_mapping)

cvat/apps/engine/views.py

@@ -932,6 +932,9 @@ class TaskViewSet(viewsets.GenericViewSet, mixins.ListModelMixin,
             self._object.save()
             data = {k: v for k, v in serializer.data.items()}
 
+            if 'job_file_mapping' in serializer.validated_data:
+                data['job_file_mapping'] = serializer.validated_data['job_file_mapping']
+
             data['use_zip_chunks'] = serializer.validated_data['use_zip_chunks']
             data['use_cache'] = serializer.validated_data['use_cache']
             data['copy_data'] = serializer.validated_data['copy_data']

tests/python/rest_api/test_tasks.py

@@ -10,18 +10,22 @@ import subprocess
 from copy import deepcopy
 from functools import partial
 from http import HTTPStatus
+from itertools import chain
+from pathlib import Path
 from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
 from time import sleep
 
 import pytest
+from cvat_sdk import Client, Config
 from cvat_sdk.api_client import apis, models
 from cvat_sdk.core.helpers import get_paginated_collection
+from cvat_sdk.core.proxies.tasks import ResourceType, Task
 from deepdiff import DeepDiff
 from PIL import Image
 
 import shared.utils.s3 as s3
 from shared.fixtures.init import get_server_image_tag
-from shared.utils.config import get_method, make_api_client, patch_method
+from shared.utils.config import BASE_URL, USER_PASS, get_method, make_api_client, patch_method
 from shared.utils.helpers import generate_image_files
 
 from .utils import export_dataset
@@ -431,6 +435,23 @@ class TestPostTaskData:
             (task, response) = api_client.tasks_api.create(spec, **kwargs)
             assert response.status == HTTPStatus.CREATED
 
+            if data.get("client_files") and "json" in content_type:
+                # Can't encode binary files in json
+                (_, response) = api_client.tasks_api.create_data(
+                    task.id,
+                    data_request=models.DataRequest(
+                        client_files=data["client_files"],
+                        image_quality=data["image_quality"],
+                    ),
+                    upload_multiple=True,
+                    _content_type="multipart/form-data",
+                    **kwargs,
+                )
+                assert response.status == HTTPStatus.OK
+
+                data = data.copy()
+                del data["client_files"]
+
             (_, response) = api_client.tasks_api.create_data(
                 task.id, data_request=deepcopy(data), _content_type=content_type, **kwargs
             )
@@ -833,6 +854,49 @@ class TestPostTaskData:
             status = self._test_cannot_create_task(self._USERNAME, task_spec, data_spec)
             assert "No media data found" in status.message
 
+    def test_can_specify_file_job_mapping(self):
+        task_spec = {
+            "name": f"test file-job mapping",
+            "labels": [{"name": "car"}],
+        }
+
+        files = generate_image_files(7)
+        filenames = [osp.basename(f.name) for f in files]
+        expected_segments = [
+            filenames[0:1],
+            filenames[1:5][::-1],  # a reversed fragment
+            filenames[5:7],
+        ]
+
+        data_spec = {
+            "image_quality": 75,
+            "client_files": files,
+            "job_file_mapping": expected_segments,
+        }
+
+        task_id = self._test_create_task(
+            self._USERNAME, task_spec, data_spec, content_type="application/json"
+        )
+
+        with make_api_client(self._USERNAME) as api_client:
+            (task, _) = api_client.tasks_api.retrieve(id=task_id)
+            (task_meta, _) = api_client.tasks_api.retrieve_data_meta(id=task_id)
+
+            assert [f.name for f in task_meta.frames] == list(
+                chain.from_iterable(expected_segments)
+            )
+
+            assert len(task.segments) == len(expected_segments)
+
+            start_frame = 0
+            for i, segment in enumerate(task.segments):
+                expected_size = len(expected_segments[i])
+                stop_frame = start_frame + expected_size - 1
+                assert segment.start_frame == start_frame
+                assert segment.stop_frame == stop_frame
+
+                start_frame = stop_frame + 1
+
 
 @pytest.mark.usefixtures("restore_db_per_function")
 @pytest.mark.usefixtures("restore_cvat_data")
@@ -952,3 +1016,91 @@ class TestGetTaskPreview:
         assert len(tasks)
 
         self._test_assigned_users_cannot_see_task_preview(tasks, users, is_task_staff)
+
+
+class TestUnequalJobs:
+    def _make_client(self) -> Client:
+        return Client(BASE_URL, config=Config(status_check_period=0.01))
+
+    @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+    def setup(self, restore_db_per_function, tmp_path: Path, admin_user: str):
+        self.tmp_dir = tmp_path
+
+        self.client = self._make_client()
+        self.user = admin_user
+
+        with self.client:
+            self.client.login((self.user, USER_PASS))
+
+    @pytest.fixture
+    def fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs(self):
+        task_spec = {
+            "name": f"test file-job mapping",
+            "labels": [{"name": "car"}],
+        }
+
+        files = generate_image_files(7)
+        filenames = [osp.basename(f.name) for f in files]
+        for file_data in files:
+            with open(self.tmp_dir / file_data.name, "wb") as f:
+                f.write(file_data.getvalue())
+
+        expected_segments = [
+            filenames[0:1],
+            filenames[1:5][::-1],  # a reversed fragment
+            filenames[5:7],
+        ]
+
+        data_spec = {
+            "job_file_mapping": expected_segments,
+        }
+
+        return self.client.tasks.create_from_data(
+            spec=task_spec,
+            resource_type=ResourceType.LOCAL,
+            resources=[self.tmp_dir / fn for fn in filenames],
+            data_params=data_spec,
+        )
+
+    def test_can_export(self, fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs: Task):
+        task = fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs
+
+        filename = self.tmp_dir / f"task_{task.id}_coco.zip"
+        task.export_dataset("COCO 1.0", filename)
+
+        assert filename.is_file()
+        assert filename.stat().st_size > 0
+
+    def test_can_import_annotations(self, fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs: Task):
+        task = fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs
+
+        format_name = "COCO 1.0"
+        filename = self.tmp_dir / f"task_{task.id}_coco.zip"
+        task.export_dataset(format_name, filename)
+
+        task.import_annotations(format_name, filename)
+
+    def test_can_dump_backup(self, fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs: Task):
+        task = fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs
+
+        filename = self.tmp_dir / f"task_{task.id}_backup.zip"
+        task.download_backup(filename)
+
+        assert filename.is_file()
+        assert filename.stat().st_size > 0
+
+    def test_can_import_backup(self, fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs: Task):
+        task = fxt_task_with_unequal_jobs
+
+        filename = self.tmp_dir / f"task_{task.id}_backup.zip"
+        task.download_backup(filename)
+
+        restored_task = self.client.tasks.create_from_backup(filename)
+
+        old_jobs = task.get_jobs()
+        new_jobs = restored_task.get_jobs()
+        assert len(old_jobs) == len(new_jobs)
+
+        for old_job, new_job in zip(old_jobs, new_jobs):
+            assert old_job.start_frame == new_job.start_frame
+            assert old_job.stop_frame == new_job.stop_frame