Change Data Capture (CDC)
Change data capture (CDC) is a technique for detecting and streaming every insert, update, and delete in a database as it happens, so other systems can react to changes in real time.
In Depth
CDC taps the database's transaction log—the internal record of every change—and turns it into an event stream: "row 4182 in orders changed status from pending to shipped at 14:03". Tools like Debezium use this to sync warehouses, refresh caches, and trigger downstream processes within seconds of a change, without repeatedly polling tables. CDC matters because batch syncs leave you acting on yesterday's data; CDC closes the gap to near zero. The trade-off is operational complexity—log-based CDC requires infrastructure and database configuration that many teams only need for their most time-sensitive flows.
How AI for Database Helps
AI for Database gives you CDC-style outcomes without the infrastructure: define a condition in plain English and a workflow watches your database and fires Slack, email, or webhook actions when it changes.
Related Terms
Database Webhook
A database webhook is an HTTP callback triggered by a database condition—such as a new row, a changed value, or a threshold crossing—that pushes the event to an external system in real time.
Real-Time Analytics
The practice of analyzing data immediately as it is created or received, enabling instant insights and actions.
Data Pipeline
An automated series of data processing steps that moves and transforms data from sources to destinations.
Threshold Alert
A threshold alert is an automated notification that fires when a monitored metric crosses a defined boundary—revenue below a floor, error counts above a ceiling, inventory under a minimum.
Ready to try AI for Database?
Query your database in plain English. No SQL required. Start free today.
Free plan available · No credit card required