ETL is a process that gathers and transforms various kinds of data. Once the data transformation is over, ETL sends the data over to the data warehouse. With ETL, you can move multiple pieces of data all across different sources, locations, and evaluation tools. It is why ETL has become a force to reckon with when it comes to business intelligence. ETL has become more extensive and effective when it comes to executing data management strategies.
On the other hand, database testing has multiple plane procedures that include the plane for data access, the plane for business, the database plane, and the plane for the user interface. The plane for the user interface is the structure of the database interface, while the plane for the business consists of the database that aids business protocols and procedures.
What are ETL and ETL Testing?
ETL stands for Extract, Transform and Load. It is a process where you copy data from various data sources to a particular data destination. ETL can be used for the following:
Three Components of ETL Process Flow Model
ETL Process
Image source 
Extraction of data: This process involves data extraction from different sources.
Transformation of data: This process involves transforming data into the proper format
that is stored in a data warehouse.
Loading of data: This process explains how data is inserted into the targeted
data warehouse.
Benefits of ETL
ETL Uses Data to Make a Single View: Managing various kinds of data takes time and effort. It is why ETL testing tools can combine a data warehouse with several types of data to create a single view.
ETL Makes Room for More Productivity and Efficiency: ETL is just like the automated version of hand-coding data transfer. It is whborder-top-right-radius: 11px;
What is Database Testing?
Database testing is the checking of your database to see that it is in order. This includes things such as schema, tables, and triggers – all under controlled conditions for accurate results. Another interesting fact about data testing is that it also provides checking of data consistency and integrity.
Importance of Database Testing
An application’s validity can be jeopardized, resulting in enormous financial losses that might bring the company to its knees. From more minor data attributes like the number of retweets on a tweet to the actual worth of assets on a trading platform, the intensity of these effects can vary greatly. There are some data thefts and integrity breaches that database testing cannot avoid, but the worst effects are minimized by examining the database system extensively.
ETL Testing vs. Database Testing
We will discuss the difference between ETL testing and database testing in this section for better clarity.
| Function | Database Testing | Database Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Main Goal | Data integration and validation | Extract, Transform and Load data for BI Reporting |
| System Applicable | A transactional system where business flow occurs | A system that contains historical data without being in a business flow environment |
| Common tools | Selenium, QTP, etc. | Informatica, QuerySurge, etc. |
| Business Need | It helps with multiple application data integrations. | It helps with information, analytical reporting, and forecasting. |
| Modelling | ER method | Multidimensional |
| Type of Database | It is normally used in OLTP systems | It is applied to OLAP systems |
| Type of Data | Normalized data comprising of more joins | De-normalized data comprise of fewer joins, more indexes, and aggregations. |
Benefits of DataQ
It is a data validation tool that helps
companies boost their productivity and
efficiency through automation.
It can connect to various data
sources at the same time.
It is capable of consuming a
massive amount of data.
It can integrate different
file formats.
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Conclusion
Overall, this article gives you a rundown of the fundamental differences between database testing and ETL testing to enable you to carry out your validation process successfully. Also, things to keep in mind when deciding how much testing you need to do in your areas of expertise and how to plan your testing system so that relevant aspects aren’t missed in the process.
