Definition
Ingestion refers to the process of collecting, importing, and preparing data from various sources for analysis or storage. It involves taking raw data, often in different formats, and transforming it into a usable state for downstream applications or systems. This process is crucial for making data accessible and actionable within an organization. In practice, ingestion pipelines automate the movement and cleaning of data, ensuring consistency and quality. It matters on the job because reliable data ingestion underpins effective decision making and operational efficiency. For example, a cloud platform might ingest log files from multiple servers to monitor system health. This differs from data transformation, which focuses on altering the structure or content of data that has already been ingested. You will encounter ingestion concepts in domains related to data management and cloud computing, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate.