In this course, you will learn about the raw ingredients and processes that are used to physically store data on disk and in memory. You’ll explore different storage systems, including object, block, and file storage, as well as databases, that are built on top of these raw ingredients. You’ll also get a chance to use the Cypher language to query a Neo4j graph database, and perform vector similarity search, a key feature behind generative AI and large language models. You will explore the evolution of data storage abstractions, from data warehouses, to data lakes, and data lakehouses, while comparing the advantages and drawbacks of each architectural paradigm. With hands-on practice, you will design a simple data lake using Amazon Glue, and build a data lakehouse using AWS LakeFormation and Apache Iceberg. In the last week of this course, you’ll see how queries work behind the scenes, practice writing more advanced SQL queries, compare the query performance in row vs column-oriented storage, and perform streaming queries using Apache Flink.
Data Storage and Queries
This course is part of DeepLearning.AI Data Engineering Professional Certificate
Instructor: Joe Reis
Top Instructor
6,678 already enrolled
(74 reviews)
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Design storage architectures for various use cases, and select appropriate technologies to implement these architectures
Practice common query patters and identify ways to improve query performance and enhance the value of your data systems
Skills you'll gain
- Category: Data Lakes
- Category: Query Languages
- Category: SQL
- Category: Apache Spark
- Category: Data Storage
- Category: Databases
- Category: Database Systems
- Category: Performance Tuning
- Category: Data Warehousing
- Category: Amazon Web Services
- Category: Database Management Systems
- Category: Data Architecture
- Category: Cloud Storage
Details to know
Add to your LinkedIn profile
3 assignments
Build your Cloud Computing expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate from DeepLearning.AI
There are 3 modules in this course
What's included
16 videos12 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment1 ungraded lab
What's included
16 videos2 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment1 ungraded lab
What's included
15 videos4 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment2 ungraded labs
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
Top Instructor
Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Learner reviews
74 reviews
- 5 stars
84%
- 4 stars
10.66%
- 3 stars
2.66%
- 2 stars
2.66%
- 1 star
0%
Showing 3 of 74
Reviewed on Oct 6, 2025
Just excellent all around (from a current practitioner)
Reviewed on Sep 15, 2025
Solid! bit of all but too in depth nor too practice oriented
Reviewed on Nov 18, 2024
Insightful overview of a simple yet complicated concept such as storage and queries.
Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.