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 Conceptual question about "ETL"

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Joozh
Posting Yak Master

145 Posts

Posted - 2004-12-18 : 02:56:28
Hi,

A simple question but I just want to clarify my understanding:

E = Extract
T = Transform
L = Load


I clearly understand the "E" part which simply means extracting data from the data sources e.g. your OLTP systems or whatever into your Data Mart/ Data Warehouse.

However I am now fully clear as to what do the "T" and the "L" really represent.

Does the "T" (Transform) represent the processing that we do in our Datamart/DW (which some also refer to as the 'Staging Area') or ??? Can you please help be conceptually be clear about this?

Does the "L" (Load) part represent the process of updating our dimensions and Cubes?


I'll appreciate your reply. Thanks

Thanks & Regards.

-J

AjarnMark
SQL Slashing Gunting Master

3246 Posts

Posted - 2004-12-18 : 16:11:11
J, my understanding is that ETL has two different connotations, but similar meaning. In one, like you discuss, it is related to data warehousing / OLAP. In the other, it is about bringing together data from heterogeneous (different) data sources.

Either way, the Transform is talking about any manipulations of data whether that is converting data types, aggregating, filtering, or otherwise modifying from its source structure to the destination structure.

And Load would be either updating your dimensions and cubes or simply importing into the new schema.

Hope that helps!

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Joozh
Posting Yak Master

145 Posts

Posted - 2004-12-19 : 01:22:30
Thanks AjarnMArk. That helps.

Thanks & Regards.

-J
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