> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.dataspace.ch/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.dataspace.ch/platform/transformation.md).

# Transformation

A node in the Workspace lineage graph represents a Transformation, which is essentially a Python function that accepts input data frames and outputs one data frame.

While the main purpose of a Transformation is to transform data, the system is flexible enough to also serve as Ingests, Load, Artifact Storage, Plots, and Dashboards.

On a technical level, a Transform is a Docker container running user code and generating the following resources under the path:

`/data/{TRANSFORM_ID}/`

* `code/`
  * Contains the full git repository.
* `datasets/`
  * Gets populated automatically by turning the user-returned LazyFrame into a Parquet file.
* `logs/`
  * Stores the `log.txt` file containing logging data from executing the user code.
* `meta/`
  * Contains `columns.json` file describing the column-level relationship to other Transforms.
* `artifacts/`
  * Can be used to store intermediate resources or HTML files.