ETL

Database migration process

ETL stands for extract, transform, load—a process for moving data between systems.

Data is extracted from source systems, transformed into a usable format (cleaned, restructured, aggregated), then loaded into a destination like a data warehouse.

The ETL pipeline runs nightly to update the analytics database.

The term is standard in data engineering and business intelligence.

architecture

data warehouse

Consolidated repository for analysis

data lakeMass storage for unprocessed information
staging areaIntermediate gathering location
landing zoneDesignated arrival surface

schema · star schema · snowflake · dimension · incremental · full load · delta · CDC · sink · connector

process

extract

Concentrated derived substance

transformChange completely in form
loadCarried weight or burden
pipelineLong-distance fluid transport tube

workflow · batch · staging · integration · orchestration · scheduling · job · run · execution · source

versus

ELT

Instructing non-native speakers

real-timeOccurring without processing delay
streamingReal-time digital delivery
batch processingRunning queued jobs automatically

Kafka · event-driven · federation · replication · synchronization · CDC

tools

Luigi

Italian masculine name

Opposites

data processing paradigm

ETLCDC

U.S. public health agency

transformation timing

ETLELT

Instructing non-native speakers

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G