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The Modern Data Engineering Landscape
What data engineering actually means in 2026; the modern data stack from source to serving; batch vs streaming vs hybrid; ETL vs ELT and why ELT won; lakehouse file formats (Parquet, Iceberg, Delta).
Module Content
What Data Engineering Actually Is (2026 view)
Strip away the hype. Data engineering is moving data reliably from where it lives to where it can be used. FIND_VIDEO: search 'what is data engineering modern data stack' — recommended channel: Seattle Data Guy / Kahan Data Solutions. Aim for 10 min or under.
Recap — The Modern Data Stack From Source to Serving
The 5-layer stack every modern data team operates. Knowing where you are on it shapes every decision.
Batch vs Streaming vs Hybrid
The first design decision in any pipeline. Pick the wrong one and you build operational pain. FIND_VIDEO: search 'batch vs streaming data engineering when to use' — recommended channel: Confluent / Kahan Data Solutions. Aim for 10 min or under.
Recap — Choosing the Right Processing Model
Three modes: batch, streaming, hybrid. Each has cost, complexity, and latency trade-offs. Most teams pick batch first and regret streaming.
ETL vs ELT — Why ELT Won
The architectural shift that defines the modern data stack. Why pushing transformation INTO the warehouse changed everything. FIND_VIDEO: search 'ETL vs ELT difference modern data stack' — recommended channel: Kahan Data Solutions / Fivetran. Aim for 9 min or under.
Recap — Designing ELT for the Modern Warehouse
ELT is more than a renaming. It changes how teams own data, deploy changes, and trust outputs.
File Formats & the Lakehouse (Parquet, Iceberg, Delta)
The format wars and why they matter. Iceberg has emerged as the 2026 open lakehouse standard. FIND_VIDEO: search 'apache iceberg delta parquet lakehouse explained' — recommended channel: Tabular / Databricks / Kahan Data Solutions. Aim for 11 min or under.
Recap — Why Open Table Formats Matter
The lakehouse is a real architecture. Parquet is the file; Iceberg/Delta is the table. Understanding the layers shapes 2026 builds.