dataark

Dataark is a term used in information technology to describe a data management architecture that organizes data assets within a centralized, governed repository designed to support discovery, governance, and analytics. It combines elements of data lakes and data warehouses, often referred to as a data lakehouse pattern, and emphasizes metadata, lineage, and access control.

Typical components include an ingestion layer that collects structured and unstructured data, a storage layer that may span object storage and optimized formats, a processing layer for transform and analytics, a metadata and catalog layer, and a governance layer implementing privacy, retention, and access policies. Dataark architectures typically separate storage from compute, enabling scalable analytics and multi-tenancy, and rely on APIs and query interfaces to enable data consumers.

Key features include strong metadata management, data lineage, versioning, schema evolution, data quality, and role-based access control. They support data discovery, data sharing, and collaboration across teams, and enable data governance and compliance requirements.

Common use cases include enterprise analytics, data science collaboration, regulated reporting, and consented data sharing with external partners. Dataark projects may be implemented on cloud platforms or on-premises, or as hybrid solutions, using open standards and interoperable tooling.

Critiques of dataark approach note potential complexity and cost, the need for mature governance practices and skilled personnel, and the risk of fragmentation if metadata is not standardized.