A data lake is a centralized repository that stores raw data (structured, semi-structured, and unstructured) at any scale.
Why it matters:
- Flexible — you don’t have to pre-structure the data.
- Ideal for advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning.
- Complements a data warehouse by holding “messier” data.
Pro tip: Without governance, data lakes can become “data swamps” — always implement organization and access controls.
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