Big Data & Cloud Analytics Flashcards

Which of the following is a primary characteristic of Big Data?

Answer: Volume, Velocity, and Variety

Big Data is primarily characterized by the '3 Vs': Volume, Velocity, and Variety. Volume refers to the immense amount of data generated; Velocity describes the high speed at which data is created, collected, and processed; and Variety encompasses the diverse types of data, from structured to unstructured. These characteristics define the challenges and opportunities in managing and analyzing large, complex datasets.

What is the primary advantage of cloud computing in analytics?

Answer: Scalability and Flexibility

The primary advantage of cloud computing in analytics is its scalability and flexibility. Cloud platforms allow businesses to dynamically scale computing resources up or down based on their analytical needs, paying only for what they use. This eliminates the need for large upfront infrastructure investments and provides the agility to adapt to fluctuating data workloads.

Which of the following is a common use case for cloud-based data lakes?

Answer: Storing and Analyzing Large-Scale Data

Cloud-based data lakes are designed to store vast amounts of raw data in its native format, regardless of structure. This makes them ideal for storing and analyzing large-scale, diverse datasets, including structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data, for various analytical workloads. They serve as a central repository for all enterprise data before it's processed or refined.

Which technology is widely used for distributed processing in Big Data?

Answer: Apache Hadoop

Apache Hadoop is a widely used open-source framework specifically designed for distributed processing and storage of extremely large datasets across clusters of computers. Its core components, HDFS (Hadoop Distributed File System) and MapReduce, enable parallel processing of Big Data. This makes it a foundational technology for handling the volume, velocity, and variety of Big Data.

What is an advantage of using serverless computing in cloud analytics?

Answer: Automatic Scaling

An advantage of using serverless computing in cloud analytics is automatic scaling. Serverless platforms automatically provision and scale compute resources in response to demand, meaning users don't have to manage servers or infrastructure. This 'pay-as-you-go' model, combined with automatic scaling, significantly reduces operational overhead and costs for analytical workloads.

Which security practice is essential for protecting cloud data?

Answer: Data Encryption

Data encryption is an essential security practice for protecting cloud data. It transforms data into a coded format, making it unreadable to unauthorized individuals, even if they gain access to the storage. Encryption ensures data confidentiality both at rest (stored) and in transit (moving across networks), safeguarding sensitive information from breaches.