Change data capture (CDC) is a design pattern that tracks and audits changes in databases, making it possible to process data in real-time and improve operational insights. The text discusses the implementation of CDC in a MySQL database using the "binlog" change log functionality, facilitated by tools like Debezium, Kafka Connect, and Redpanda. This approach allows changes to be captured and processed instantly, supporting applications such as e-commerce platforms that require real-time updates on payment methods. The article highlights CDC's advantages over traditional extract-transform-load (ETL) methods, emphasizing its ability to reduce system load and handle hard-deletion scenarios efficiently. It also provides a step-by-step guide for setting up a CDC pipeline with MySQL, Debezium, and Redpanda, including instructions on configuring Docker containers and leveraging schema registries to ensure data consistency. By adopting CDC, organizations can design real-time dashboards and reports for better data visibility, with the flexibility to integrate with various tools and platforms.