
	extract, transform, load


	Home > Data Management Definitions - Extract, transform, load

SearchDataManagement.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)

EMAIL THIS

LOOK UP TECH TERMS		Powered by:

Browse tech terms alphabetically:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

extract, transform, load

Digg This!

StumbleUpon

Del.icio.us

- 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.

LAST UPDATED:

04 Nov 2005

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Digg This!

StumbleUpon

Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT

	Data warehousing, data mining and data querying: Terms and definitions Learn the difference between data warehousing, data mining and data querying.
	What is an operational data store vs. a data warehouse? Operational data stores (ODSs) and data warehouses have different functions and meet different data needs. Learn when to use each term.
	Can a dimension table be a fact table for another data mart? Find out if a dimension table can be a fact table for another data mart -- and get an explanation of the answer.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS

Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary

data modeling (SearchDataManagement.com)
Data modeling is the analysis of data objects that are used in a business or other context and the identification of the relationships among these...

OLAP (SearchDataManagement.com)
OLAP (online analytical processing) enables a user to easily and selectively extract and view data from different points-of-view.

SEARCH

TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.


TechTarget Corporate Web Site \| Media Kits \| Reprints \| Site Map All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2005 - 2008, TechTarget \| Read our Privacy Policy