Introduction to Big Data
Read this article and focus on the definition, types of data considered big data, and how to analyze it. Then take notes on the tools currently used to analyze big data.
Technology continues to advance an organization's ability to collect data. Next, you will learn about storing and making big data accessible by developing the infrastructure.
How is big data analyzed?
One of the best-known methods for turning raw data into useful information is what is known as MapReduce. MapReduce is a method for taking a large data set and performing computations on it across multiple computers, in parallel. It serves as a model for how to program and is often used to refer to the actual implementation of this model.
In essence, MapReduce consists of two parts. The Map function does sorting and filtering, taking data and placing it inside of categories so that it can be analyzed. The Reduce function provides a summary of this data by combining it all together. While largely credited to research that took place at Google, MapReduce is now a generic term and refers to a general model used by many technologies.