Hadoop Guide

Understanding Big Data:

Who what why when where and how

What is Data?

Data is distinct pieces of information but not information by itself. Data is raw in nature containing
facts and figures. Data is useless until it is organized. When data is organized in some way to create a
meaning then it is useful. When data is processed, organized, structured and presented in a given
context so as to make it useful, then it is called information.

Data can be generated from various different sources. In today’s era, the volume of data being
generated each day is very huge. Humans, machines, various applications are generating data. There
is no use for this huge volume of data until it is processed, organized and structured in some way
such that we can deduce some meaning out of it.

In technology terms, we are calling this huge volume of data as Big Data. We are referring to the
various technologies that help to process, structure and organize this huge volume of data or Big
Data as Big Data technologies eco system.