Apache Iceberg: Architecture, Performance, and Ecosystem

Overview of Apache Iceberg, an open table format designed to bring database-like reliability and performance to data lakes. It explains Iceberg's three-layered architecture—the Catalog, Metadata, and Data layers—and details core features such as safe schema evolution, hidden partitioning, and data versioning with time travel.

The text also compares Iceberg to alternative formats like Delta Lake and Apache Hudi, highlighting its engine-agnostic philosophy and broad ecosystem support.

Furthermore, it discusses integration with processing engines like Spark and Flink, provides best practices for performance optimization and table maintenance, and addresses governance, security, and common adoption challenges.

Overall, the source positions Iceberg as a foundational technology for modern, high-performance data lakehouses.