DAC Big Data & Cloud Analytics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a primary characteristic of Big Data?
- Low Latency
- Small Volume
- Volume, Velocity, and Variety (Correct answer)
- Fixed Data Structure
Correct 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.
Question 2: What is the primary advantage of cloud computing in analytics?
- Fixed Infrastructure
- Scalability and Flexibility (Correct answer)
- Higher Latency
- Limited Storage Capacity
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which of the following is a common use case for cloud-based data lakes?
- Only Structured Data Storage
- Transaction Processing
- Storing and Analyzing Large-Scale Data (Correct answer)
- Hosting Static Websites
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which technology is widely used for distributed processing in Big Data?
- Apache Hadoop (Correct answer)
- SQL Databases
- Blockchain
- Excel Spreadsheets
Correct 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.
Question 5: What is an advantage of using serverless computing in cloud analytics?
- Requires Dedicated Servers
- Higher Maintenance Costs
- Automatic Scaling (Correct answer)
- Fixed Resource Allocation
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which security practice is essential for protecting cloud data?
- Data Duplication
- Data Encryption (Correct answer)
- Load Balancing
- Higher Network Latency
Correct 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.
DAC Big Data & Cloud Analytics 1
Which of the following is a primary characteristic of Big Data?