Which process represents the first step in the Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) method?

The first step in the Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) method is the Extract process. This process involves retrieving raw data from various source systems, which may include databases, data warehouses, spreadsheets, or external data feeds. The primary goal of this step is to gather the necessary data that will be analyzed or utilized for reporting purposes.

During the extraction phase, it is crucial to ensure that the data collected is relevant and accurate. The extracted data may come in different formats or structures, which necessitates the subsequent Transform step, where the data is cleansed, formatted, and prepared for analysis. Following the transformation, the Load stage takes place, where the processed data is stored in a target system, such as a data warehouse.

By understanding that Extraction is the foundational step in the ETL process, one can appreciate its critical role in enabling effective data integration and preparation for analytics.