22-25 April 2026

Deciphering Data Architectures full-day workshop

Proposed session for SQLBits 2026

TL; DR

This workshop defines big data and core architecture concepts, then explains warehouses, lakes, marts, virtualization, ETL vs. ELT, and compares Modern Data Warehouse, Data Fabric, Lakehouse, and Data Mesh, highlighting pros, cons, and practical considerations.

Session Details

This pre-conference workshop will begin by defining 'big data' and clarifying various data architecture concepts to establish a solid foundation of understanding before delving into specific data architectures. Topics to be covered include relational data warehouses, data lakes, data marts, data virtualization, and the differences between ETL and ELT. James will then explore and compare the architectures of the Modern Data Warehouse, Data Fabric, Data Lakehouse, and Data Mesh in considerable detail, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. While these concepts may seem appealing in theory, James will address potential concerns to consider before implementation. This workshop aims to demystify these complex topics, offering ample opportunity for questions. The content is derived from James's book "Deciphering Data Architectures: Choosing Between a Modern Data Warehouse, Data Fabric, Data Lakehouse, and Data Mesh."

3 things you'll get out of this session

Provide a foundational understanding of big data and core data architecture concepts. Explain and compare major architectures—Modern Data Warehouse, Data Fabric, Lakehouse, and Data Mesh. Equip attendees to evaluate pros, cons, and implementation considerations for each approach.