How to Efficiently Load Data into DuckLake with Estuary

Architecture Components

• Capture connectors that extract data from source systems using change data capture (CDC)
• Collections stored in object storage (S3, GCS, or compatible systems)
• Materialization connectors that load data into destinations

Key Capabilities

• Support for hundreds of source and destination systems
• Native CDC for databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle
• Real-time extraction from SaaS applications like Salesforce and HubSpot
• No-code setup with managed service

Source Configuration

1. Connect to your source database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.)
2. Enable change data capture to track real-time changes
3. Configure schema evolution settings for automatic handling of schema changes

DuckLake Setup

1. Create a DuckLake database in MotherDuck
2. Configure access to your S3 bucket where data will be stored
3. Set up appropriate access tokens for read/write permissions

Pipeline Configuration

• Choose sync frequency (from real-time to scheduled batches)
• Select specific fields to materialize
• Configure merge queries for maintaining latest state

Instant SQL Feature

MotherDuck introduces Instant SQL, which provides query results at the speed of typing by:

• Pre-caching data for immediate feedback
• Validating SQL syntax in real-time
• Enabling rapid iteration on complex queries

Storage Trade-offs

When deciding between DuckLake and MotherDuck native storage:

DuckLake advantages:

• Open format with broader ecosystem compatibility
• Support for Spark and other compute engines
• Better suited for petabyte-scale workloads

MotherDuck storage advantages:

• 2-10x faster query performance
• Optimized for read/write throughput
• Better caching and regional performance

Data Architecture

• Keep raw data in DuckLake for openness and flexibility
• Move silver/gold layer data to MotherDuck storage for performance
• Use Estuary's intermediate storage for reliability and replay capabilities

Partitioning Strategy

While Estuary doesn't natively configure partitions, you can:

1. Allow Estuary to create initial tables
2. Use ALTER TABLE commands to add partitions
3. Subsequent writes will respect partition configuration

Error Handling and Reliability

The architecture prevents common streaming issues:

• Intermediate storage prevents message loss
• Automatic handling of destination unavailability
• Support for backfills without re-querying sources