Re:Engineers Shouldn’t Write ETL
by mikestew on Friday March 18, 2016 @12:20PM
(#11312778)
I do love reading an article that supports my contention that ETL is the Charlie Work [0] of software engineering.
Though I've never formally done work with the "ETL" label, what I've seen of it reminds me of the work I used to do for client years ago where I'd take some CSV file (or what have you) and turn it into something that their FoxBase-based accounting system could use. It was boring grunt work (or shall we say, "Charlie work"), but I billed it at my usual rate and it paid the mortgage. I would never, ever wish to make a career of it, however. (And if my assessment of what someone knee-deep in ETL does all day is completely off base, I apologize.)
Re:Engineers Shouldn’t Write ETL
by jboggan on Friday March 18, 2016 @09:09PM
(#11316651)
The thing is, I kinda identify with Charlie. I rather enjoy getting it done and it's the kind of thing that keeps the ship sailing smoothly. Sometimes you can derive a strange appreciation from thwacking rats in the basement, so to speak.
Though I've never formally done work with the "ETL" label, what I've seen of it reminds me of the work I used to do for client years ago where I'd take some CSV file (or what have you) and turn it into something that their FoxBase-based accounting system could use. It was boring grunt work (or shall we say, "Charlie work"), but I billed it at my usual rate and it paid the mortgage. I would never, ever wish to make a career of it, however. (And if my assessment of what someone knee-deep in ETL does all day is completely off base, I apologize.)