Loading data

As previously discussed, there are several ways to load data into a warehouse. In this section, we will explore two methods: the Data Factory copy activity and T-SQL. The loading method you choose will largely depend on two factors: developer skillset and data source connectivity.

Data warehouse professionals are very likely to be proficient in writing T-SQL and may, therefore, gravitate toward a code-based approach that uses the COPY command. While analysts may not have as deep of a T-SQL skillset, they may opt for a GUI-based approach with Data Factory. While an individual may want to use a code-based approach, the fact that T-SQL requires the data to come from a narrow set of locations could mean the copy activity is a better fit. There are other factors to consider, such as enterprise standards and ETL frameworks, that may inform a decision on the tool used.

Note

In a real-world scenario, it is unlikely that you would load data from the same source using different...