What is ETL?
ETL, an acronym for Extract, Transform, Load, is a fundamental part of the data warehousing process. It provides a method for moving data from various sources into a cleaned, useful format that can frame decision-making processes.
In essence, the ETL process allows businesses to aggregate data from multiple sources, standardize it, and feed it into a target data warehouse. Powering both big and small-scale applications, ETL tools use data transformation to serve as the backbone for any reliable business intelligence (BI) platform.
Converting any data using ETL involves a process where data is loaded from the source system to the data warehouse. It extracts, transforms, and loads complex customer data in a data warehouse or data lake, where it can be used for future purposes.
Just like loading data, you can use the ETL to convert any data to any output format such as CSV to XML. In other words, it can be used to convert CSV files to XML files with ease and speed.
This blog post covers two approaches to implementing the CSV to XML conversion setup:
- Using Data Interface to define the Source, Target, and Mapping (conversion) rules
- Using Process Designer and building a custom orchestration to convert data
What Are the Three Steps in ETL processing?
As an ETL example, consider a multinational firm trying to analyze its operations using data from multiple sources: sales figures, inventory records, customer feedback, etc. Here’s how ETL process steps come into play.
1. Extract: This is the initial stage where raw data is extracted from various data source systems. The sources can range from databases, CRM systems, files, or even web APIs.
2. Transform: After extraction, the target is the transformation of data into a standard format. This step involves cleaning, normalizing, applying business rules, checking data integrity, and creating aggregates or summary data.
3. Load: The final step is to load data into a data warehouse, ready for future queries and analysis.
ETL vs. ELT
While the ETL pipeline follows a stepwise flow – extract, transform, and then load, another process, ELT (Extract, Load, and Transform), has been gaining traction recently.
In an ELT process, raw business data is first loaded into the target data warehouse and then transformed as needed. This approach offers a higher degree of flexibility as it allows decision-makers to apply transformations according to their specific needs.
Both ETL systems and ELT systems have their strengths, and both help companies make informed business decisions. ETL offers more control over data quality and security, while ELT is faster and works excellently with larger data volumes. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs and resources of a business.
Advanced Considerations in ETL
Beyond the basics of ETL, there are also some advanced considerations worth explaining.
Stream and Batch Processing in ETL
ETL workflows can be implemented either through stream processing or batch processing. Stream processing extracts and processes data continuously and in real-time, while batch processing handles large volumes of data at fixed intervals.
Understanding Data Pipelines in ETL
The ETL process is integral to maintaining a data pipeline, an automated system that moves and prepares data for intelligent analysis. A data pipeline consists of several stages: data extraction, transformation, and loading, all arranged in a sequence to streamline the data flow.
Why Use an ETL Tool for Data Integration?
ETL tools aim to provide a streamlined way to complete data extraction actions, enhancing the efficiency of managing big data resources. It’s essential to understand the wide range of advantages brought forth by ETL tools. These include data validation capabilities, automation of batch processing, compatibility with various data warehouses, real-time data integration, and much more.
For instance, consider a supermarket that wants to analyze sales data to improve its performance. The raw data from cash registers, online orders, customer service, etc., are all extracted using an ETL tool. This data is then transformed into a standardized format and loaded into a target data warehouse. Now, the supermarket can employ various BI tools to evaluate extracted data, driving decisions based on insights gained.
Using a Data Interface to Define the Source, Target, and Mapping Rules
In any data pipeline, a proper definition of the source, target, and mapping rules is crucial. The source refers to where the data comes from, the target indicates where data is meant to end up, and mapping rules dictate how data transitions from source to target.
Mapping rules augment the extraction process by providing a mechanism to convert source data into a form suitable for the target data warehouse. They act as the ‘transform’ aspect in the extract transform load process. To illustrate, one may employ mapping rules to convert currency, correct misspellings, merge fields, break down composite fields, etc.
Sources can be databases, APIs, XML files etc., and targets can be data warehouses or data marts. The data interface tool allows you to specify these sources and targets and define the mapping rules to be applied during the Extract Load Transform process.
Experts state that doing so ensures stream processing, preventing data inconsistencies, and providing a clean, high-quality dataset that is ready for use. Having a data interface to define these aspects is like giving clear instructions to your ETL tool to handle and optimize data in a specific way.
Regardless of the ETL tools used, it’s paramount to avoid mistakes like not testing the mapping rules, assuming all sources produce consistent data, or neglecting real-time data warehousing needs. Redefine your extract transform load process understanding and improve data flow in your information systems.
Date Interface approach:
Using Process Designer and Building a Custom Orchestration to Convert Data: Unlock the Potential of Process Designer
Balancing between the extraction of data from various sources to loading it into your target data warehouse can be a daunting task. It’s where batch processing and stream processing come into play.
One way we optimize this process is by using a tool called ‘Process Designer.’ It’s a feature-rich tool that helps you design your data pipeline effectively.
Orchestration approach:
Data Mapping is used in both approaches for conversion:
Batch Processing Vs. Stream Processing
Batch processing involves handling large volumes of data all at once. It’s ideal when dealing with massive amounts of raw data that doesn’t require real-time analytics. An ETL example would involve loading data into a data warehouse.
On the flip side, Stream processing, offers real-time data processing. It’s used in applications where real-time analytics are required such as financial transactions or social media feeds.
If you want to transform your new business customer digital onboarding through the power of automation, machine learning, and self-service design, see what Adeptia can do for you. Adeptia puts the power of data integration in the hands of everyday business professionals, streamlining the onboarding process and freeing up your IT team to focus on the work that matters most. Get in touch with us today to request your live demo.
FAQs
What is a simple example of ETL?
A simple example of ETL process could be retrieving data from a CSV file, transforming it by cleaning and formatting it, and then loading it into a database. For instance, let’s say we have a CSV file containing customer information, including names, addresses, and phone numbers. The extraction step involves reading and parsing the CSV file to retrieve the relevant data. The next step would be transforming the data by fixing any inconsistencies, removing duplicates, and converting formats if needed, such as standardizing phone numbers. Finally, the data would be loaded into a database table, making it easily accessible for further analysis or use by other systems.
What is ETL in SQL with an example?
ETL is a process used to migrate data from multiple sources into a target system. In SQL, ETL involves extracting data from different databases, transforming it to match the structure of the target database, and loading it into the target database or data warehouse. For example, let’s say we have an e-commerce company with data stored in multiple databases. We want to consolidate this data into a single database for analysis purposes. First, we extract data from the different databases by writing SQL queries to retrieve the relevant information. Next, we transform the extracted data to a standardized format that matches the structure of our target database. Finally, we load the transformed data into our target database or data warehouse.
What are the steps of the ETL process?
The ETL process typically involves three main steps: extraction, transformation, and loading. In the extraction step, data is gathered from various sources, such as databases, files, or APIs. This data is then moved to a staging area where it can be cleaned and transformed in the next step. In the transformation step, the data is processed and converted into a format that is suitable for the target system or database. This may include data cleaning, sorting, filtering, and aggregating. Finally, in the loading step, the transformed data is loaded into the target database or data warehouse, where it can be used for analysis, reporting, or other business purposes.