Lance is a modern columnar data format designed for machine learning workflows, offering significantly faster random access and features like zero-cost schema evolution and rich secondary indices. It integrates with popular data tools such as Pandas, DuckDB, and Pyarrow, making it ideal for applications like search engines, large-scale ML training, and managing complex datasets. Lance's design optimizes data handling across various stages of machine learning development, outperforming traditional formats like Parquet and JSON in multiple scenarios.