Apache Hop, the beacon of innovation!

Delta, Iceberg, Summits and more

Author

Tom Barber
January 15, 2024

The Data Science Dossier

Ahoy there! Welcome to this week's Data Science Dossier. This week, we're looking at Apache Hop, Delta Tables and more.

I was fiddling around with LLMs earlier, so I asked ChatGPT to write me two paragraphs about Apache Hop, and it gave me this:

"Apache Hop, short for Hop Orchestration Platform, stands as a beacon of innovation in the world of data integration and orchestration. Its journey began as a fork of the renowned Pentaho Data Integration (Kettle) project, driven by a desire for a more open, agile, and versatile tool. Apache Hop's inception marked a significant milestone, as it was designed to meet the escalating demands of modern data professionals. This cutting-edge platform, now a part of the Apache Software Foundation, has rapidly evolved, distinguishing itself through a user-friendly interface and a robust set of features geared towards efficient data integration, data migration, and workflow automation.

The question of why to use Apache Hop can be answered by its core strengths: versatility, scalability, and ease of use. With its ability to handle a wide range of data formats and sources, Apache Hop is an invaluable asset for businesses navigating the complex data landscapes of today. Its lightweight, extensible nature allows for seamless integration with existing systems, making it an ideal choice for both small-scale projects and large enterprise environments. Whether it's transforming data, orchestrating complex workflows, or facilitating continuous integration and deployment, Apache Hop empowers organizations to streamline their data processes, thereby enhancing efficiency and driving business growth."

ChatGPT

It made me laugh, mostly because it writes in a way that I would never write. But it also called Apache Hop a beacon of innovation! But the more I thought about it, the more I realized ChatGPT was actually more accurate than I was giving it credit for. Apache Hop was spawned out of the Pentaho Data Integration project. Today, it stands as one of the most user-friendly ETL toolings on the market, not to mention its open-sourced aspect and the fact that businesses can use it for free. So, if you're new to data and need some ETL tooling, then go check it out!

Jobs

This isn’t a regular section, but I did want to call out some resources for folks in the UK looking for data related jobs because there is concern in the market and I want to ensure people have the best chance to find work as possible. None of these are sponsored or offered with any type of assurance, I just wanted to spread the knowledge.

There are more, including some in my brain that I can’t find right now, but as I come across places that deal specifically with data I will include them in the newsletter.

From the community

  • Datavin3's new Apache Hop fundamentals training course is a smash hit, and the first iteration sold out, so they're doing a second round! If you're new to Apache Hop and want to find out how to spin up great ETLs on baremetal or Apache Beam then this is well worth investigating.

  • Where to use replaceWhere? If you're a Delta table user, you might wonder where best to use replaceWhere for effective selective overwrites. Luckily, you need to wonder no more as the Delta blog has come to the rescue with this very useful blog post.

  • Keeping on the Databricks train, Ryan Chynoweth shows you how to deal with multi-cloud data sharing. Which, whilst complex, is pretty epic for larger organisations or projects that have come together from different origins. Ryan has a load of great content on his blog. Go give him a follow!

  • Coming to folks in New York on Feb 6th, Upsolver, the data movement folks are hosting their new Chill Data Summit. Which, as you may have figured, allows their guests to show off a range of iceberg-related tooling and products. With people from Snowflake, Dremio, Starburst and more showing you how to get ahead in the Iceberg Data Lake space. Free registration; if you're in the area get down and show some support!

  • Not entirely new, but an interesting read I spotted on Wired the other day how Indirect Prompt Attacks for LLMs aren't an easy fix.

  • Lastly, a quick one that might pass you by but is important for our European friends and partners. Microsoft have updated their Cloud to keep EU data within the EU, allowing european users to process personal data within the bloc. A win for the data protection stalwarts out there!

On the blog

This week's blog post, we take a look at Kubernetes. What is it good at, and should you be using it?

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the question on every tech enthusiast's mind is: Should I be using Kubernetes? This groundbreaking technology has revolutionized the way we handle containerized applications, but is it the right fit for everyone? Our latest blog post dives deep into the world of Kubernetes, demystifying its complexities and highlighting its unparalleled advantages. From enhancing scalability to ensuring robust security, Kubernetes emerges as a frontrunner in the orchestration of modern-day applications.

But it's not all smooth sailing. The intricacies of Kubernetes also bring forth particular challenges that require careful consideration. Is your team ready to navigate its learning curve? How does Kubernetes align with your specific project needs? Our insightful article offers a balanced perspective, helping you make an informed decision. Don't let this opportunity to stay ahead in the tech game pass you by. Visit our blog now for a comprehensive understanding of Kubernetes and determine if it's the game-changer your project needs!

I’m Tom Barber

I assist businesses in maximizing the value of their data, enhancing efficiency, performance, and gaining deeper insights. Find out more on my website.

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