The Lake Is Not the Database. The Engine Is.

This post emphasizes that the execution engine, not just the storage layer (like object storage in a lakehouse), is the defining characteristic of a database system. It highlights the trade-offs of a storage-first model, where frequent writes lead to fragmentation and performance degradation, necessitating background optimization and caching layers. The post argues that a lakehouse requires a robust engine designed for interactive workloads to achieve low and predictable latency, handle concurrency, and support transactional and analytical processing simultaneously, enabling it to function as more than just a data repository.