Page 102 - E1 Integrated Workbook STUDENT 2018

Chapter 7

Big Data

7.1 What is Big Data?

There are several definitions, for example:

 Big Data refers to extremely large collections of data that may
be analysed to reveal patterns, trends and associations.

 Data collections so large that conventional methods of storing
and processing the data will not work.

7.2 Characteristics of Big Data – the 3 Vs

1. Volume 2. Variety 3. Velocity

Organisations Financial and non- Data only useful if
hold huge financial, internal turned into
volumes of data, and external, information in real-
for example structured and time or quickly.
supermarkets via unstructured.
loyalty cards.

A fourth ‘V’, Veracity is sometimes added, i.e. is the data accurate?

7.3 Processing Big Data

 The processing of Big Data is known as Big Data analytics. For example:

– Hadoop software allows the processing of large data sets by utilising large
multiple servers simultaneously.

– Google Analytics tracks many features of website traffic.

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