What is the difference between ETL and ELT?

What is the difference between ETL and ELT?

ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load, while ELT stands for Extract, Load, Transform. In ETL, data is transformed before loading it into the target system, whereas in ELT, data is loaded first and then transformed.

Can you give me an example of when to use ETL?

Sure! ETL is often used when dealing with structured data from multiple sources that need to be cleaned and transformed before analysis, like in traditional data warehousing.

And when would I use ELT instead?

ELT is typically used in cloud-based data lakes where you can store raw data and perform transformations later, allowing for more flexibility and scalability.

Which one is more efficient?

It depends on the use case. ELT can be more efficient for large volumes of data and real-time analytics, while ETL may be better for complex transformations.