Before loading data, we need to explain one crucial Qlik Sense concept. Data connections are the entry points of data into Qlik Sense. It does not matter if you are loading text files, spreadsheets, database data, or big data. Data that will be loaded into Qlik needs to be referenced by a data connection—that way, Qlik Sense will know the data path. These are as follows:

• Reusable across your script and across all applications that you create.
• Consistent, meaning that it can be used in the same way, whether no matter what type of data is being retrieved and no matter if it is a SQL database or Big Data. Regardless, the final user has the same experience.
• In an enterprise environment, data connections can be governed, have a security policy, and be shared across users.