These parameters are used to make decision on when to use Map Join against Common join in hive, which ultimately affects query performance at the end.
Map join is used when one of the join tables is small enough to fit in the memory, so it is very fast. here’s the explanation of all parameters:
hive.auto.convert.join
When this parameter set to true, Hive will automatically check if the smaller table file size is bigger than the value specified by hive.mapjoin.smalltable.filesize, if it’s larger than this value then query execute through common join. Once auto convert join is enabled, there is no need to provide the map join hints in the query.
hive.auto.convert.join.noconditionaltask
When three or more tables are involved in join, and
hive.auto.convert.join = true – Hive generates three or more map-side joins with an assumption that all tables are of smaller size.
hive.auto.convert.join.noconditionaltask = true, hive will combine three or more map-side joins into a single map-side join if size of n-1 table is less than 10 MB. Here size is defined by hive.auto.convert.join.noconditionaltask.size.
hive.mapjoin.smalltable.filesize
This setting basically the way to tell optimizer the definition of small table in your system. This value defines what is small table for you and then when query executes based on this value it determines if join is eligible to convert into map join.
hive.auto.convert.join.noconditionaltask.size
The size configuration enables the user to control what size table can fit in memory. This value represents the sum of the sizes of tables that can be converted to hashmaps that fit in memory.
Here’s the very good explanation link which includes description for all 4 parameters with an example:
http://www.openkb.info/2016/01/difference-between-hivemapjoinsmalltabl.html