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Explain ETL process flags and segregation of steps.

SQLeasy0.4 min read

**Architectural Logic**: Flags enable observability, restartability, and audit. **Flags**: STARTED, RUNNING, SUCCESS, FAILED; custom: DATA_QUALITY_FAILED, PARTIAL_SUCCESS. **Segregation**: Extract, Transform, Load as distinct tasks; each has status. **Why**: Monitoring; resume...

🤖 Analyze Your Answer
Frequency
Low
Asked at 1 company
Category
487
questions in SQL
Difficulty Split
130E|271M|86H
in this category
Total Bank
1,863
across 7 categories
Asked at these companies
Gartner
Key Concepts Tested
airflowetl

Why This Question Matters

This easy-level SQL question appears frequently in data engineering interviews at companies like Gartner. While less common, it tests deeper understanding that distinguishes strong candidates. Mastering the underlying concepts (airflow, etl) will help you answer variations of this question confidently.

How to Approach This

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.

Expert Answer
72 words

Architectural Logic: Flags enable observability, restartability, and audit. Flags: STARTED, RUNNING, SUCCESS, FAILED; custom: DATA_QUALITY_FAILED, PARTIAL_SUCCESS. Segregation: Extract, Transform, Load as distinct tasks; each has status. Why: Monitoring; resume from failed step; audit trail. Example: Log batch_id, step_name, status, rows_processed, timestamp. Orchestrators (Airflow) use task states. Scalability: Idempotent steps; flags enable partial rerun. Cost: Minimal; status tables or metadata store. Best Practice: Separate concerns; use flags for observability; allow resume; implement idempotency.

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