Data & Databases
Data lake
A storage system that holds large amounts of raw structured and unstructured data.
Example
Raw logs, images, and exports are retained cheaply in a data lake.
Why it matters
It keeps varied source material available for later analysis and processing.
You'll hear it
“We have the files, but we need to identify what they contain.”
Can you control it?
Set by the team
The people building or running the AI choose this setup. An everyday user generally needs their help to change how this part works.
Common questions
- Does storing raw data make it ready for AI?
- No. It may need cleaning, permissions checks and preparation.
- Can a lake become difficult to navigate?
- Yes. Poor descriptions and ownership can turn a large store into confusing unused material.
- Must every file have the same format?
- No. A lake can hold several kinds of structured and unstructured material.