Data Architecture and Modeling Flashcards

What distinguishes OLTP systems from OLAP systems in terms of design purpose?

Answer: OLTP is optimized for high-volume, short transactions; OLAP is optimized for complex analytical queries

OLTP systems are designed for high-volume, short-duration transactions (insert/update/delete), while OLAP systems are designed for complex, read-heavy analytical queries.

What is a data catalog's primary function in a modern data architecture?

Answer: Provide a searchable inventory of data assets with metadata, lineage, and business context

A data catalog acts as an organized inventory of data assets, providing metadata, lineage, and business context to help users discover and understand available data.

In enterprise data architecture, what is a 'Data Domain'?

Answer: A logical grouping of related data assets under a common subject area or business function

A Data Domain is a logical grouping of related data (e.g., Customer, Product, Finance) organized around a common business subject area or function.

Which architectural pattern separates compute from storage to allow independent scaling in cloud data platforms?

Answer: Decoupled Storage-Compute Architecture

Decoupled Storage-Compute Architecture allows storage (e.g., S3) and compute (e.g., query engines) to scale independently, reducing costs and improving flexibility.

What is the purpose of a 'reference data' table in a database?

Answer: Provide a controlled set of valid values for data fields, such as country codes or status types

Reference data tables store stable, controlled sets of valid values (like country codes, currency codes, or status enumerations) used to ensure data consistency.

In a logical data model, what is the difference from a physical data model?

Answer: Logical models define business entities and relationships without platform specifics; physical models include DBMS-specific implementation details

Logical models define entities, attributes, and relationships in business terms without DBMS specifics, while physical models include tables, data types, indexes, and storage details.