ETL (Extract, Transform, Load)

ETL is a data integration process that extracts data from sources, transforms it, and loads it into a destination.

What is ETL?

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) is a data integration process that extracts data from source systems, transforms it to fit operational needs, and loads it into a target database or data warehouse.

ETL vs ELT

ETL transforms before loading (traditional), ELT transforms after loading (modern cloud approach).

Common misconceptions

"ETL is simple data copying" — Complex transformation logic
"ETL runs once" — Ongoing scheduled processes
"All ETL tools are similar" — Significant differences