Overview
A data catalog (e.g., AWS Glue Data Catalog, Google Cloud Data Catalog) acts as a 'search engine' for your data. It stores metadata about your databases, tables, and files, making it easy for data scientists and analysts to find the information they need.
Key Features
- Automated Discovery: Crawlers can automatically scan data sources to identify schemas and update the catalog.
- Metadata Storage: Stores information about table structures, partitions, and data types.
- Search and Discovery: Provides a searchable interface for finding data assets.
- Data Lineage: Tracks where data came from and how it has been transformed.
Importance
Essential for data governance and for enabling self-service analytics in large organizations.