Why data contracts are obviously a good idea

Data Contracts have emerged as a contentious yet promising concept in the data community, aiming to provide clarity and stability in data exchange by formalizing agreements between data producers and consumers regarding data structure, semantics, and usability. The concept has sparked debate, with proponents arguing that Data Contracts can prevent disruptions in data applications by ensuring changes in data sources are communicated and managed effectively, while critics contend that enforcing such contracts is impractical and burdensome for data providers. The discussion highlights the challenges of relying on extracted data from sources like Salesforce, which are often volatile and difficult to manage, versus the potential of deliberately created event-based data that adheres to Data Contracts. Event-based data creation is seen as a more robust approach, as it allows for intentional data emission governed by contracts, ensuring data integrity and reducing the likelihood of breaking downstream applications. While Data Contracts are criticized for their perceived complexity, they are increasingly recognized as essential for organizations aiming to build reliable, data-driven applications by encouraging the deliberate creation and governance of data.