Who is a Data Engineer and What Do They Do

As a data engineer, your job involves handling lots of information (we call it data). You need to think about where all this information is coming from, what it looks like, and how it might need to be changed or fixed up. You also need to think about where it's going and what questions it can help answer.

The main task of a data engineer is to ensure that all this information moves smoothly from one place to another, like a well-oiled machine, so that it can be used by data scientists. Data scientists are like detectives, they use this data to solve business mysteries by examining it, understanding it, and then suggesting solutions.

Data engineers are like the kitchen helpers who prepare all the ingredients for a chef to cook with. They make sure that the data is all set and ready for the data scientists to use. This helps the data scientists to work more efficiently and focus on their main job.

Data engineering is a very crucial job because it helps businesses to understand and make decisions based on the data they have. It's like having a good roadmap that guides you to make the right decisions.

As a data engineer, your primary responsibility is to manage and prepare data for analysis by data scientists. You need to consider various aspects of the data:

• Data Sources: You have to identify where the data is coming from. It could be databases, files, external systems, APIs, or sensors.

  
  

  For Example: Different tools available in Azure that allow you to store and retrieve data from

  Azure SQL Database, Blob Storage, Azure Data Lake Storage, Cosmos DB Azure Event Hubs, Azure IoT Hub.

  
  

• Data Structure: You need to understand the structure and format of the data. This includes the organization of the data, such as tables, fields, and relationships.

  
  

  Example: SQL (Structured Query Language), JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), Avro, Parquet, CSV (Comma-Separated Values)

  
  

• Data Transformation: Sometimes, the raw data you collect may need to be modified or cleaned before it can be used effectively. You perform tasks like data cleaning, filtering, merging, or reshaping to ensure the data is accurate and consistent.

  
  

  Example: The tools available for data transformation are Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks (with languages like Python, Scala, or R) Azure Functions, SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), Apache Spark, Azure Logic Apps.

  
  

• Data Integration: In many cases, data comes from multiple sources, and it needs to be combined or integrated to provide a complete picture. You merge data from different systems or databases to create a unified dataset.

  
  

  Example: The tools available for integration are Azure Data Factory, Azure Logic Apps, Azure Databricks, Apache Kafka, Azure Event Grid

  
  

• Data Storage and Management: You determine the appropriate storage solution for the data, considering factors such as scalability, performance, and security. This could involve using databases, data warehouses, or big data platforms.

  
  

  Example: Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Blob Storage, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure HDInsight (for big data processing)

  
  

• Data Pipeline Development: Data engineers build and maintain data pipelines, which are automated processes that move and transform data from source to destination. These pipelines ensure a smooth flow of data and enable real-time or batch processing.

  
  

  Example: In Azure, there are various storage options available for data storage and management - Azure Data Factory, Apache Airflow, Azure Logic Apps, Apache NiFi, Azure Databricks.

  
  

• Data Quality and Governance: Ensuring the quality of data is critical. You implement data quality checks, validation processes, and data governance policies to ensure data integrity and compliance.

  
  

  Example: In Azure, there are various tools and services available to help maintain data quality and enforce data governance policies- Azure Data Factory (data validation activities), Azure Purview (data cataloging and governance), Azure Monitor (for monitoring data pipelines and quality), Azure Data Share (for data collaboration and governance).

  
  

  Collaboration with Data Scientists: Data engineers work closely with data scientists to understand their requirements and provide them with the necessary data. You assist in setting up the data infrastructure and optimize data access for efficient analysis.

  
  

  In summary, as a data engineer, your role is to manage the data pipeline, transform and integrate data, and ensure its quality and availability for data scientists. This helps businesses make informed decisions based on reliable and well-prepared data.