What Is a Semantic Layer?
A semantic layer is a layer of interpreting data that sits between an application and a database. It is used to present data in a way that is more meaningful and easily understood by the user or application. The semantic layer acts as a bridge between the technical details of the database and the more user-friendly business concepts.
It is also used to provide a consistent view of data across different applications, even if the underlying data structures change. This allows for more efficient data integration and reduces the need for custom coding in each application. Additionally, the semantic layer helps enforce data security and governance policies, by masking sensitive data and enforcing data access controls.
Benefits of a Semantic Layer
Semantic layers are beneficial because it presents data in a way that is more meaningful and easily understood by its users. By defining a set of business terms and concepts and mapping them to the underlying physical data structures, the semantic layer acts as a bridge between the technical details of the database and the more user-friendly business concepts. This improves the efficiency and effectiveness of data-driven decision making.
Another benefit of a semantic layer is the ability to provide a consistent view of the data across different applications. This is particularly useful in organizations where data is spread across multiple systems and databases. This improves the efficiency of data integration and makes it easier to implement new data-driven applications. The semantic layer can also implement data governance policies, ensuring accurate, consistent, and complete information.
Semantic Layer FAQs
What is a semantic layer?
A semantic layer is a virtual layer that sits between a data source and the applications that need to access that data. It acts as an abstraction layer that simplifies the complexity of the underlying data source by creating a common business language that is easily understood by non-technical users.
What are the benefits of using a semantic layer?
It simplifies data access by providing a simplified and consistent view of data across multiple data sources, making it easier for non-technical users to access and analyze the data. Semantic layers reduce maintenance costs by insulating applications from changes in data sources and reducing the need for expensive updates and maintenance. It allows organizations to define data models, business rules, and security policies that are enforced across all applications to access data, improving data governance and compliance.
What tools can be used to create a Semantic Layer?
There are several tools available to create a Semantic Layer, including open-source tools like Apache Drill and Apache Kylin.
