This chapter defines the field of data engineering. We establish what data engineering involves and its position relative to other data roles. A clear grasp of these basics provides the necessary context for the techniques discussed later.

In this chapter, you will cover:

• The definition and scope of data engineering.
• The specific tasks and responsibilities of a data engineer.
• Distinctions and overlaps between data engineering, data science, and data analysis.
• The sequence of stages in the data lifecycle.
• The foundational role data engineering performs for AI applications.