What does pipeline complexity refer to?

Pipeline complexity pertains to how difficult it is to author and maintain the pipeline. This concept encompasses various elements such as the number of steps involved in the pipeline, the dependencies among those steps, the level of integration with other systems, and the ease or difficulty of troubleshooting issues that may arise throughout its operation. A complex pipeline may involve intricate logic, multiple data sources, and varied transformations, making it more challenging for developers to create, modify, and manage.

In a practical context, if a pipeline is overly complex, it can lead to increased development time, heightened risk of errors, and challenges in scaling the application. Therefore, understanding and managing pipeline complexity is crucial for maintaining efficient data workflows and ensuring robustness in data processing tasks.