Apache Polaris: The Definitive Guide

Part I. Data Lakehouses and Apache Iceberg Fundamentals

Before diving into the specifics of Apache Polaris, it’s essential to understand the broader context in which it operates: the world of data lakehouses and Apache Iceberg. The lakehouse architecture that turns data lakes into flexible data warehouses combines the scalability and cost-effectiveness of data lakes with the performance and reliability of data warehouses. Apache Iceberg is at the core of this architecture, a table format designed to bring structure, consistency, and efficiency to massive datasets stored in data lakes. This section lays the foundation for understanding how Polaris fits into this ecosystem by exploring the challenges that led to the rise of lakehouses, the pivotal role of Iceberg in enabling them, and the critical need for robust cataloging solutions to manage and govern data effectively.