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Adobe Experience Platform
Data Prep
Data transformation during AEP ingestion
Data Prep transforms source fields into XDM during ingestion. It can derive values, normalise structures, and apply functions before writing to the dataset.
- When it applies
- It is useful when the source contract does not match XDM and the transformation belongs at the AEP boundary without justifying another upstream pipeline.
- What it is confused with
- It does not replace source quality or an enterprise transformation model. A rule repeated across several connections remains debt even when the interface makes it easy to copy.
- Architecture consequence
- Every transformation needs ownership, tests, and traceability back to the source field. If logic changes business meaning, it may belong earlier in the chain.
Related concepts
- XDM schema
- Dataset
- Profile
- Computed attribute
Related patterns
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- Fix the data or fix the report?
A misclassified channel can be fixed at source, during ingestion or in CJA. Compare who receives the correction and what happens to historical data.