# data migration

> process of selecting, preparing, extracting, and transforming data and permanently transferring it from one computer storage system to another

**Wikidata**: [Q1932543](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1932543)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_migration)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/data-migration

## Summary
Data migration is the process of selecting, preparing, extracting, and transforming data and permanently transferring it from one computer storage system to another. It is a critical component of data management, ensuring data integrity and continuity when transitioning between systems.

## Key Facts
- Data migration is a subclass of data management, which involves managing data as a resource.
- It is distinct from schema migration, which involves changes to database structure rather than data transfer.
- The process includes selecting, preparing, extracting, transforming, and permanently transferring data.
- Data migration is part of a broader list of Wikidata reasons for deprecation.
- It is also related to live migration, which involves migrating virtual machines or applications without shutting them down.
- The term has aliases in multiple languages, including "Migracion de datos" (Spanish) and "データマイグレーション" (Japanese).
- Data migration is referenced in various academic and technical contexts, including the TaDiRAH vocabulary for digital humanities.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary goal of data migration?
A: The primary goal of data migration is to transfer data from one storage system to another while ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and continuity.

### Q: How does data migration differ from schema migration?
A: Data migration involves transferring data between systems, while schema migration involves changes to the structure or schema of a database.

### Q: What are some common challenges in data migration?
A: Common challenges include data loss, corruption, downtime, and ensuring compatibility between the source and target systems.

### Q: Is data migration the same as live migration?
A: No, live migration refers specifically to migrating virtual machines or applications without shutting them down, whereas data migration is a broader process of transferring data between storage systems.

### Q: What industries or fields commonly use data migration?
A: Data migration is used in various fields, including IT, archival science, research, and digital humanities, to ensure data is accurately transferred and preserved.

## Why It Matters
Data migration is essential for organizations and individuals who need to upgrade systems, consolidate data, or move to new platforms. It ensures that critical data is not lost or corrupted during transitions, which is vital for business continuity, research integrity, and historical preservation. Without proper data migration, organizations risk data loss, operational disruptions, and inefficiencies. It plays a crucial role in modern data management, enabling seamless transitions between technologies and ensuring that data remains accessible and usable over time.

## Notable For
- Being a fundamental process in data management, ensuring data integrity during system transitions.
- Its distinction from schema migration, highlighting its focus on data transfer rather than structural changes.
- Its application in diverse fields, from IT and archival science to digital humanities and research.
- The inclusion of data migration in academic and technical vocabularies, such as TaDiRAH.
- Its role in live migration processes, where virtual machines or applications are moved without downtime.

## Body
### Definition and Scope
Data migration is defined as the process of selecting, preparing, extracting, transforming, and permanently transferring data from one computer storage system to another. It is a critical component of data management, which encompasses disciplines related to managing data as a resource.

### Relationship to Other Concepts
Data migration is part of a broader category of migration processes, which includes live migration (migrating virtual machines without shutdown) and media migration (copying records between physical carriers in archival science). It is distinct from schema migration, which involves changes to database structure rather than data transfer.

### Technical Process
The data migration process typically involves several key steps:
- **Selection**: Identifying the data to be migrated.
- **Preparation**: Cleaning and organizing data to ensure accuracy.
- **Extraction**: Retrieving data from the source system.
- **Transformation**: Converting data into a format compatible with the target system.
- **Transfer**: Moving the data to the new system.
- **Verification**: Ensuring data integrity and completeness post-migration.

### Applications
Data migration is used in various contexts, including:
- **IT Systems**: Upgrading or replacing hardware and software.
- **Archival Science**: Preserving records by transferring them to new media.
- **Research**: Moving data between research platforms or repositories.
- **Digital Humanities**: Ensuring the longevity and accessibility of digital resources.

### Challenges
Common challenges in data migration include:
- **Data Loss**: Risk of losing data during transfer.
- **Corruption**: Potential for data to become corrupted.
- **Downtime**: System unavailability during migration.
- **Compatibility**: Ensuring data formats are compatible between systems.

### Tools and Standards
Various tools and standards support data migration, including:
- **TaDiRAH**: A vocabulary for digital humanities that includes data migration.
- **GND ID**: A unique identifier for data migration in the Integrated Authority File (GND).
- **STW Thesaurus for Economics**: Includes data migration as a defined term.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "data migration",
  "description": "process of selecting, preparing, extracting, and transforming data and permanently transferring it from one computer storage system to another",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_migration",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1130550", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_migration"],
  "additionalType": "https://vocabs.dariah.eu/tadirah/migration"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora
3. [Source](https://vocabs.dariah.eu/tadirah/migration)
4. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)