ETL vs ELT: which approach is better for modern analytics pipelines?

ETL (Extract, Transform, Load): The traditional approach, where data is transformed before loading into the warehouse.

ELT (Extract, Load, Transform): Has become more popular, as it allows raw data to be loaded first, then transformed based on analytical needs.

Why ELT is better for modern analytics:

  • More flexible and scalable, especially with cloud-based platforms like Snowflake.
  • Allows businesses to keep raw data intact for future analysis.
  • ELT is more efficient for handling large volumes of unstructured data.

Snowplow’s pipeline follows the ELT approach, enabling fast and scalable processing of event data directly into platforms like Snowflake.

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