Summary

Regardless of how data is being used, it is critical that the information is trusted. The practice of data reliability engineering has gained momentum recently to address that question. To help support the efforts of data teams the folks at Soda Data created the Soda Checks Language and the corresponding Soda Core utility that acts on this new DSL. In this episode Tom Baeyens explains their reasons for creating a new syntax for expressing and validating checks for data assets and processes, as well as how to incorporate it into your own projects.

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Your host is Tobias Macey and today I’m interviewing Tom Baeyens about Soda Data’s new DSL for data reliability

Interview

Introduction
How did you get involved in the area of data management?
Can you describe what SodaCL is and the story behind it?
- What is the scope of functionality that SodaCL is intended to address?
What are the ways that reliability is measured for data assets? (what is the equivalent to site uptime?)
What are the core abstractions that you identified for simplifying the declaration of data validations?
How did you approach the design of the SodaCL syntax to balance flexibility for various use cases, with structure and opinionated application?
- Why YAML?
Can you describe how the Soda Core utility is implemented?
- How have the design and scope of the SodaCL dialect and the Soda Core framework evolved since you started working on them?
What are the available integration/extension points for teams who are using Soda Core?
Can you describe how SodaCL integrates into the workflow of data and analytics engineers?
What is your process for evolving the SodaCL dialect in a maintainable and sustainable manner?
What are the most interesting, innovative, or unexpected ways that you have seen SodaCL used?
What are the most interesting, unexpected, or challenging lessons that you have learned while working on SodaCL?
When is SodaCL the wrong choice?
What do you have planned for the future of SodaCL?

Contact Info

LinkedIn
@tombaeyens on Twitter
tombaeyens on GitHub

Parting Question

From your perspective, what is the biggest gap in the tooling or technology for data management today?

Closing Announcements

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to check out our other shows. Podcast.__init__ covers the Python language, its community, and the innovative ways it is being used. The Machine Learning Podcast helps you go from idea to production with machine learning.
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Build A Common Understanding Of Your Data Reliability Rules With Soda Core and Soda Checks Language 41:02 Share

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Build A Common Understanding Of Your Data Reliability Rules With Soda Core and Soda Checks Language