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Unlock the power of Databricks with this in-depth guide to Liquid Clustering! If your Databricks jobs are slow, expensive, or hard to explain, this video is for you. Learn how Liquid Clustering can transform your data pipelines, cut costs, and make you stand out in job interviews. We’ll break down the differences between partitioning, Z-ordering, and Liquid Clustering, show you how to implement it, and share expert tips for interview success. Plus, discover common pitfalls and how to avoid them!
What you’ll learn:
Why traditional partitioning and Z-ordering fall short
How Liquid Clustering works and why it’s a game-changer
Real-world performance and cost benefits
How to explain Liquid Clustering in interviews
Common mistakes and best practices
Interview Template: https://www.gambilldataengineering.com/gambill-data-business-templates#liquid-clustering
If you are looking for a book recommendation to learn more about Data Engineering on Databricks Check this out: https://amzn.to/4mCVdCD
Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction: The Databricks Performance Problem
0:24 – Why Liquid Clustering Matters
1:21 – What is Liquid Clustering?
2:09 – Key Benefits: Performance, Cost, Governance
3:14 – Comparing Partitioning, Z-ordering, and Liquid Clustering
4:27 – How to Implement Liquid Clustering
4:51 – The “Cluster by Auto” Secret
5:15 – Interview Tips: How to Stand Out
6:01 – Common Pitfalls to Avoid
6:41 – Key Takeaways
7:08 – Call to Action & Next Steps

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Chris Gambill is a data engineering consultant and educator with 25+ years of experience helping organizations modernize their data stacks. As founder of Gambill Data, he specializes in data strategy, cloud migration, and building resilient analytics platforms for mid-market and enterprise clients. He’s passionate about making real-world data engineering accessible.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn or learn more at gambilldata.com.