Introduction to Azure Data Factory
• Azure Data Factory (ADF) is a cloud-based data
integration service that orchestrates and
automates data movement and
transformation. It is used to build data
pipelines for complex workflows.
What is Azure Data Factory?
• ADF enables you to create and manage data
pipelines that transfer and transform data
across various data sources. It supports hybrid
data integration and connects on-premises
and cloud environments.
Key Features of ADF
• - Orchestrates data movement across sources.
• - Supports data transformation using Mapping
Data Flows.
• - Provides seamless integration with Azure
services.
Core Components of ADF
• The core components include Pipelines,
Activities, Datasets, Linked Services, and
Integration Runtimes.
Understanding Pipelines in ADF
• A pipeline is a logical grouping of activities
that together perform a task. Think of it as a
workflow for moving and transforming data.
Activities: Tasks in ADF
• Activities are steps within a pipeline. Examples
include Copy activity, Data Flow activity, and
Web activity.
Datasets and Linked Services
• Datasets define the schema and location of
data within a data store. Linked services
specify the connection information for data
sources.
Integration Runtimes in ADF
• Integration Runtime (IR) is the compute
infrastructure for executing activities. There
are three types: Azure IR, Self-hosted IR, and
Azure-SSIS IR.
Data Flows Overview
• Mapping Data Flows enable scalable ETL
(Extract, Transform, Load) within the ADF
pipeline. It provides a visual design interface
for transformation logic.
Triggers in ADF
• Triggers initiate pipelines. Types include
Schedule triggers, Tumbling window triggers,
and Event-based triggers.
Use Case: Copying Data (Blob to
SQL)
• Scenario: Copy data from Azure Blob Storage
to an Azure SQL Database. This involves
creating linked services, datasets, and a
pipeline with a Copy activity.
Step 1: Create Linked Services
• Define linked services for both the source
(Blob Storage) and the destination (SQL
Database). These services store connection
credentials.
Step 2: Define Datasets
• Create datasets that point to the specific data
in Blob Storage (source) and the SQL table
(sink).
Step 3: Set Up a Pipeline
• Configure a pipeline with a Copy activity to
move data from Blob Storage to the SQL table.
Step 4: Execute and Monitor the
Pipeline
• Run the pipeline and use the monitoring
dashboard to track the progress and check for
errors.
Example: Transforming Data (Data
Flow)
• Use Mapping Data Flows to transform data.
For example, filter rows, join tables, or
aggregate data before storing it in a
destination.
Step 1: Create a Data Flow
• Design a data flow with source and sink
transformations. Add logic for filters, joins,
and aggregations.
Step 2: Apply Transformations
• Apply transformation logic like sorting,
filtering, and aggregating data in the Data
Flow designer.
Step 3: Integrate Data Flow in
Pipeline
• Add the Data Flow to a pipeline and configure
its execution settings.
Step 4: Execute and Monitor Data
Flow
• Run the pipeline and monitor the Data Flow
execution using the ADF monitoring tools.
Monitoring Pipelines in ADF
• Use ADF's monitoring interface to track
pipeline executions, view logs, and diagnose
issues.
Error Handling and Logging
• Implement error handling by setting retry
policies and logging errors for
troubleshooting.
ADF Performance Optimization
Tips
• Optimize pipeline performance by partitioning
data, using parallel processing, and minimizing
data movement.
Best Practices for ADF
• Use clear naming conventions, modular
pipelines, and parameterization to improve
manageability and scalability.
Real-World Applications of ADF
• ADF is used in data warehousing, big data
analytics, and integrating data from diverse
sources.
Hybrid Data Integration with ADF
• Combine on-premises and cloud data for
seamless integration in hybrid environments.
ADF Deployment Strategies
• Use Azure DevOps or GitHub for version
control, CI/CD pipelines, and deploying ADF
resources.
ADF Use Cases in Big Data
• Example: Ingest large datasets from IoT
devices, process them using ADF, and store
them in a data lake.
Summary of ADF Capabilities
• ADF simplifies data integration by providing
scalable, secure, and efficient tools for
building data pipelines.
Resources and Further Learning
• Explore ADF documentation, tutorials, and
Azure certifications for advanced learning.
