Data is raw, unorganized facts that need to be processed. When data is processed, organized, structured, or presented in a given context to make it useful, it becomes information.
Example: A tech company collects vast amounts of data from user interactions on its platform. By processing this data, they gain valuable insights into user behavior and preferences.
Data Terminologies
- Database: A collection of organized data that allows for easy access, management, and updating.
- Data Mining: The process of discovering patterns and relationships in large data sets.
- Data Warehouse: A central repository of integrated data from multiple sources, used for reporting and analysis.
- Data Evolution Roadmap: The progression of data management from basic storage to advanced analytics.
- Big Data: Extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations.
Types of Data
- Numeric: Quantitative data that can be measured and counted.
- Categorical: Data that can be categorized based on characteristics.
- Graphical: Data represented in graphs and charts.
- High Dimensional Data: Data with a large number of attributes or features.
- Hot Data: Frequently accessed and used data.
- Cold Data: Rarely accessed data stored for archival purposes.
- Warm Data: Data that is accessed occasionally.
- Thick Data: Rich qualitative data providing context.
- Thin Data: Quantitative data with limited context.
Classification of Digital Data
- Structured Data: Data that is organized in a fixed format, like databases.
- Semi-Structured Data: Data that does not conform to a fixed schema, like XML or JSON.
- Unstructured Data: Data without a predefined format, like text and multimedia content.
Example: Social media platforms handle a mix of structured (user profiles), semi-structured (posts and comments), and unstructured data (images and videos).
Data Sources
- Time Series: Data points indexed in time order.
- Transactional Data: Data generated from transactions, such as sales.
- Biological Data: Data derived from biological sources, like genetic sequences.
- Spatial Data: Data related to physical locations.
- Social Network Data: Data generated from social interactions and relationships.
Example: A logistics company uses time series data from GPS trackers to optimize delivery routes and improve efficiency.
Data Science
- Data Science vs. Statistics
- Data Science: An interdisciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data.
- Statistics: The study of the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and organization of data.
Example: A sports team uses data science to analyze player performance and develop strategies, while statistics are used to understand historical performance trends.
- Data Science vs. Mathematics
- Data Science: Focuses on extracting insights from data using computational techniques.
- Mathematics: The abstract science of number, quantity, and space.
Example: In financial services, data science models predict market trends, while mathematics provides the theoretical foundation for these models.
- Data Science vs. Programming Language
- Data Science: Involves programming but focuses on data analysis and insights.
- Programming Language: Tools used to write software and scripts for various applications.
Example: Data scientists at a tech company use Python for data analysis, while software engineers use the same language for developing applications.
- Data Science vs. Database
- Data Science: Uses databases to store and retrieve data for analysis.
- Database: A structured set of data held in a computer.
Example: A retail company executive uses databases to store customer data, which data scientists analyze to understand buying patterns.
- Data Science vs. Machine Learning
- Data Science: Broad field encompassing data analysis, visualization, and insights.
- Machine Learning: Subset of data science focused on building algorithms that learn from data.
Example: An e-commerce platform executive uses machine learning to recommend products, while data science provides insights into overall customer behavior.
Data Analytics
Data analytics involves examining data sets to draw conclusions about the information they contain. It uses statistical analysis, data mining, and predictive modeling to discover patterns and relationships.
Example: A telecommunications company executive uses data analytics to understand customer churn and develop strategies to retain customers.
Relationship: Data Science, Analytics, Big Data Analytics
- Data Science: Encompasses data analytics and big data analytics, using scientific methods to extract insights.
- Analytics: Focuses on analyzing data to find actionable insights.
- Big Data Analytics: Deals with analyzing large and complex data sets.
Example: A healthcare company executive uses data science to predict patient outcomes, data analytics to understand treatment effectiveness, and big data analytics to process large volumes of patient data.
Data Science Components
- Data Engineering: Involves preparing data for analysis by building pipelines and managing data infrastructure.
- Data Analytics: Uses statistical methods and algorithms to analyze data.
- Data Visualization: Represents data graphically to communicate insights.
Example: A finance firm uses data engineering to manage data flows, data analytics to detect fraud, and data visualization to present findings to stakeholders.