What does ETL stand for in data processing?

ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load, which is a critical process in data management and data warehousing. In this context:

• Extract refers to the process of retrieving data from different sources, which can include databases, CRM systems, or even flat files. The goal during this phase is to collect all the required data before any processing takes place.

• Transform involves processing the extracted data into a format that meets the needs of the target system. This can include cleaning the data, applying business rules, merging data sets, and converting the data into a suitable structure or format. The transformation phase ensures that the data is accurate, consistent, and ready for analysis.

• Load is the final step where the transformed data is written into a target database or data warehouse. This step is crucial because it makes the data available for querying and reporting.

Together, these three steps describe the workflow of moving data from source systems to a destination for analysis and reporting purposes, which is why "Extract, Transform, Load" is the correct answer. The other choices do not accurately represent the primary functions involved in the ETL process and do not reflect established terminology used in the field of data management.