The ETL Process: Pros and Cons of Low-Code Software

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IBM 350 Disk Storage: a huge stack of metal plates that could store up to 5,000,000 characters

In school, you learn the ropes of programming and might even find yourself tackling odd assignments, like creating a cricket simulator in C++ in just two weeks. 

In the professional world, ad hoc report requests can cause anxiety.

Gone are the days of set deadlines. 


Fear not, as you can now utilize low-code software to easily create programs by dragging and dropping tools for a wide range of tasks.

Today, our focus will be on the ETL process.

In case you're not familiar with the acronym ETL, it stands for Extract, Transform, and Load - the essential steps in the data pipeline.

This process involves extracting data from multiple sources, transforming it into a desired format or structure, and loading it into a target system for analysis or reporting.

However, this repetitive process can be time-consuming as it often involves cleaning, joining, filtering, and aggregating data.

As a result, tech giants such as Microsoft and IBM have developed ETL tools to cater to the needs of professionals who work with data on a daily basis.

Below are two benefits and two drawbacks of using low-code software within an organization:


Pros

Increased Productivity

It can significantly increase productivity by reducing the time and effort required for development, testing, and deployment.

Lower Learning Curve

Low-code software typically has a lower learning curve compared to traditional coding, making it accessible to a wider range of users, including those with limited coding experience.


Cons

Limited Customization

The pre-built components and templates provided by low-code platforms may not always meet the specific needs or requirements of complex applications, resulting in limited customization options.

Potential for Vendor Lock-In

Low-code software with proprietary components may result in vendor lock-in, making future platform or vendor switching challenging.


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