Data Engineering Basics: From What is Data to Modern Lakehouse Architecture

This post explains data fundamentals , databases , data warehousing , data lakes , and modern lakehouse architecture . What is Data ? Data is raw facts or raw information collected from applications, users, and machines . On its own, data has little meaning. When we process, clean, and analyze data , it becomes useful information for business decisions . Examples of data: Customer name , email , Order amount , order time , Website clicks , error logs , Sensor readings An e-commerce app stores every order as data. When analysts look at monthly sales trends and top-selling products, that processed data becomes insights. Types of Data (Structured, Semi-Structured, Unstructured) Aspect Structured Data Semi-Structured Data Unstructured Data What it means Data stored in rows and columns with a fixed schema . Data with some structure (keys/tags), but no fixed table schema. Data with no predefined structure . Where it is stored Relational Databases , Data Warehouses Data Lakes , modern warehou