Parquet is a file storage format that stores data in columnar format, as part of the Apache Hadoop Ecosystem. It can store huge amounts of data and can enable fast processing of the said data. It is a free resource so storing data in it requires no additional cost. Every data set is accompanied by metadata so it can be termed as a self-describing format for file storage.

Why Parquet?

• Optimizes storage space because data can be easily compressed to make the file size smaller. There are three ways in which Parquet compresses data. These include dictionary encoding, bit packing, and RLE.
• It gives much greater performance than other file formats partly because it stores data in column format. Hence, it is easier and quicker to identify and extract the relevant information as compared to formats that are row-wise.
• Allows for merging schemas together – if a user enters an initial schema and adds on to it, it can simply be merged to avoid the hassle.
• Secures sensitive and confidential files through a modular transcription mechanism.