How do you version large datasets in practice, and when do you reach for DVC versus lakeFS?

You cannot put a 2 TB dataset in git, and copying it per experiment bankrupts you. The signal is knowing how content-addressed versioning works and when file-level (DVC) versus branch-level (lakeFS) fits. Here is the decision.

Updated Aug 2026 · Grounded in real Applied AI Engineer interview loops and written to a senior-engineer editorial bar.