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Schema Drift

Schema drift occurs when source systems change their data structures over time, adding, removing, or modifying columns. Managing schema drift is essential for maintaining a robust and resilient data solution.

Key considerations for handling schema drift:

  • Detecting structural changes in incoming data
  • Accommodating new columns without disrupting existing processes
  • Handling removed or renamed columns gracefully
  • Maintaining historical compatibility across schema versions
  • Alerting and notification when drift is detected

The Persistent Staging Area is particularly susceptible to schema drift as it directly receives data from source systems. Proper schema drift handling ensures continuity of data loading operations.