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Apache Spark vs dbt: What are the differences?
Introduction:
Apache Spark and dbt are both popular tools used in data processing and analysis. While they have some similarities, there are several key differences between the two. In this article, we will explore these differences in detail.
Architecture: One of the key differences between Apache Spark and dbt lies in their architecture. Apache Spark is a distributed computing system that allows for the parallel processing of large datasets across a cluster of computers. On the other hand, dbt is an SQL-based transformation tool that operates on a single machine. This fundamental difference in architecture allows Apache Spark to handle big data workloads more efficiently, while dbt is better suited for smaller datasets.
Processing Engine: Apache Spark and dbt use different processing engines. Apache Spark leverages an in-memory computing engine, which enables it to perform real-time data processing at a much faster speed. dbt, on the other hand, uses a traditional disk-based processing engine, which is slower in comparison. This difference in processing engines gives Apache Spark an advantage when it comes to handling complex data processing tasks.
Data Source Support: Another important difference between Apache Spark and dbt is the range of data sources they support. Apache Spark has extensive support for various data sources, including Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), Amazon S3, and more. This makes it easier to integrate Apache Spark with different data platforms and extract data from diverse sources. dbt, on the other hand, has limited data source support and primarily focuses on SQL-based databases.
Transformation Capabilities: When it comes to data transformations, Apache Spark offers a wide range of built-in operators and functions that facilitate complex data transformations. It provides a flexible and powerful programming interface that allows users to manipulate data using SQL, Python, Scala, or R. dbt, on the other hand, is primarily focused on SQL-based transformations and lacks the versatility offered by Apache Spark.
Data Modeling: Apache Spark and dbt approach data modeling differently. Apache Spark provides a GraphX library that enables graph-parallel computation, making it easier to model and analyze graph databases. It also supports machine learning and graph algorithms out of the box. dbt, on the other hand, does not have built-in support for graph modeling or machine learning and is primarily designed for SQL-based data modeling.
Data Governance and Collaboration: Apache Spark and dbt have different capabilities when it comes to data governance and collaboration. Apache Spark provides features like access control, auditing, and data lineage, which are crucial for ensuring data governance and compliance. It also supports collaborative development by providing integration with version control systems like Git. On the other hand, dbt does not have built-in support for data governance or collaborative development.
In summary, Apache Spark is a distributed computing system with advanced processing capabilities, extensive data source support, and versatile transformation capabilities. On the other hand, dbt is a SQL-based transformation tool that operates on a single machine and is primarily focused on SQL-based data modeling.
We have a Kafka topic having events of type A and type B. We need to perform an inner join on both type of events using some common field (primary-key). The joined events to be inserted in Elasticsearch.
In usual cases, type A and type B events (with same key) observed to be close upto 15 minutes. But in some cases they may be far from each other, lets say 6 hours. Sometimes event of either of the types never come.
In all cases, we should be able to find joined events instantly after they are joined and not-joined events within 15 minutes.
The first solution that came to me is to use upsert to update ElasticSearch:
- Use the primary-key as ES document id
- Upsert the records to ES as soon as you receive them. As you are using upsert, the 2nd record of the same primary-key will not overwrite the 1st one, but will be merged with it.
Cons: The load on ES will be higher, due to upsert.
To use Flink:
- Create a KeyedDataStream by the primary-key
- In the ProcessFunction, save the first record in a State. At the same time, create a Timer for 15 minutes in the future
- When the 2nd record comes, read the 1st record from the State, merge those two, and send out the result, and clear the State and the Timer if it has not fired
- When the Timer fires, read the 1st record from the State and send out as the output record.
- Have a 2nd Timer of 6 hours (or more) if you are not using Windowing to clean up the State
Pro: if you have already having Flink ingesting this stream. Otherwise, I would just go with the 1st solution.
Please refer "Structured Streaming" feature of Spark. Refer "Stream - Stream Join" at https://spark.apache.org/docs/latest/structured-streaming-programming-guide.html#stream-stream-joins . In short you need to specify "Define watermark delays on both inputs" and "Define a constraint on time across the two inputs"
Pros of dbt
- Easy for SQL programmers to learn5
- CI/CD2
- Schedule Jobs2
- Reusable Macro2
- Faster Integrated Testing2
- Modularity, portability, CI/CD, and documentation2
Pros of Apache Spark
- Open-source61
- Fast and Flexible48
- One platform for every big data problem8
- Great for distributed SQL like applications8
- Easy to install and to use6
- Works well for most Datascience usecases3
- Interactive Query2
- Machine learning libratimery, Streaming in real2
- In memory Computation2
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Cons of dbt
- Only limited to SQL1
- Cant do complex iterations , list comprehensions etc .1
- People will have have only sql skill set at the end1
- Very bad for people from learning perspective1
Cons of Apache Spark
- Speed4