UDF

Technology & Computing abbreviation · Data & Database

UDF
Stands forUser-defined function
CategoriesTechnology & Computing

UDF stands for User-defined function, a data & database abbreviation.

A function written by a database or data-platform user, in SQL or another language, and then called inside queries like a built-in function. Spark, BigQuery, Snowflake and traditional databases all support UDFs.

Example: Write a UDF to normalize phone numbers, then call it in the SELECT list.

Usage notes

UDFs extend the query language but can be slow, because the optimizer cannot see inside them and some engines run them row by row; Python UDFs in Spark, for example, move data between the JVM and Python. In file systems UDF means Universal Disk Format, the format of DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

More data & database abbreviations

  • 3NF – Third normal form
  • ACID – Atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability
  • BASE – Basically available, soft state, eventual consistency
  • BI – Business intelligence
  • BLOB – Binary large object
  • BSON – Binary JSON
  • CAP – Consistency, availability, partition tolerance (CAP theorem)
  • CDC – Change data capture
  • CTE – Common table expression
  • DAG – Directed acyclic graph
  • DAX – Data Analysis Expressions
  • DB – Database

See all 53 data & database abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.