Reviewed by Aditya Kumar · Last reviewed 2026-03-24
Architectural logic: Data Pipeline = templated, EC2/EMR-managed; Glue = serverless Spark, Catalog, modern ETL. When Data Pipeline wins: (1) Cost—simple daily RDS→S3 copy can be cheaper than Glue DPUs; (2) Legacy—existing Pipeline definitions; (3) EC2/EMR coupling—Data Pipeline...
Red Flag: Recommending Data Pipeline for net-new complex ETL. Pro-Move: 'We kept Data Pipeline for 3 daily RDS→S3 copies—$50/mo vs Glue ~$200; new ETL goes to Glue for Catalog and Spark.'
This easy-level Cloud/Tools question appears frequently in data engineering interviews at companies like EPAM. While less common, it tests deeper understanding that distinguishes strong candidates. Mastering the underlying concepts (etl, spark) will help you answer variations of this question confidently.
Start by clearly defining the core concept being asked about. Interviewers want to see that you understand the fundamentals before diving into implementation details. Structure your answer with a definition, then explain the practical application with a concise example.
Architectural logic: Data Pipeline = templated, EC2/EMR-managed; Glue = serverless Spark, Catalog, modern ETL. When Data Pipeline wins: (1) Cost—simple daily RDS→S3 copy can be cheaper than Glue DPUs; (2) Legacy—existing Pipeline definitions; (3) EC2/EMR coupling—Data Pipeline natively manages clusters for custom non-Spark code; (4) Simplicity—straight copy needs no Spark. Scalability: Data Pipeline scales via instance count; Glue via DPU. Cost: For low-frequency, simple jobs, Data Pipeline can undercut Glue. When to use Glue: Complex Spark ETL, schema evolution, Glue Catalog, serverless preference, or modern data lake. Best practice: Evaluate cost and complexity; Glue is default for new data lakes.
Red Flag: Recommending Data Pipeline for net-new complex ETL. Pro-Move: 'We kept Data Pipeline for 3 daily RDS→S3 copies—$50/mo vs Glue ~$200; new ETL goes to Glue for Catalog and Spark.'
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep DataEngPrep free.
According to DataEngPrep.tech, this is one of the most frequently asked Cloud/Tools interview questions, reported at 1 company. DataEngPrep.tech maintains an editor-reviewed database of 1,863 data engineering interview questions across 7 categories.