**Why Delta Log matters**: Enables ACID, time travel, schema evolution. **Format**: JSON files in `_delta_log/`; each transaction = new file. Records add/remove file actions, metadata. **Significance**: Single source of truth for table state; concurrent readers see consistent snapshot. **Scalability trade-offs**: Log grows; VACUUM removes old files beyond retention. **Cost implications**: Log = small storage; many small transactions = many small log files....
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