extract, transform, load (ETL)
In managing databases, extract, transform, load (ETL) refers to three separate functions
combined into a single programming tool. First, the extract function reads data from a specified
source database and
extracts a desired subset of data. Next, the transform function works with the acquired data -
using rules or lookup tables, or creating combinations with other data - to convert it to the
desired state. Finally, the load function is used to write the resulting data (either all of the
subset or just the changes) to a target database, which may or may not previously exist.
ETL can be used to acquire a temporary subset of data for reports or other purposes, or a more
permanent data set
may be acquired for other purposes such as: the population of a data mart or data warehouse;
conversion from one database type to another; and the migration of data from one database
or platform to another.
This was last updated in November 2005
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