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December 8, 2023
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For any data to be classified as Big Data, we must look at the three Vs: volume, velocity (at which it accumulates), and variety (referring to its many types and the degree to which it is structured). If those aspects are too big for traditional data management software to compute or store, it’s classified as Big Data.
Data from disparate sources and applications are first integrated and formatted into a form that business analysts can use. It is then stored so that it may be analyzed again to answer more complex business problems or offer solutions that can be monetized. Many ways have been developed to manage Big Data, including building data models with machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Perhaps the most well-known use of Big Data is made by companies that gather data from social media, web visits, call logs and other sources. Big Data has also revolutionized media advertisement by making targeted and personalized ads the norm on the internet. Big Data is also used to maximize operational efficiency, like predicting how and when maintenance is required.
The possibilities for putting Big Data to use are endless. These include everything from suggesting what to watch on Netflix to making high-risk financial decisions on your mobile money app. In addition, big Data continues to be used in medical research. For example, it analyzes vast amounts of medical data from different demographics and populations to predict the treatment most suitable for a given patient. Similarly, it is used in disaster management to help predict a hurricane’s landfall
One of the main problems Big Data technology faces is that data volume has been increasing exponentially. As a result, it is becoming more and more challenging to store it effectively. For example, an average smartphone user generates more than 40 Exabytes of data in just one month. Ironically with the help of Big Data, these challenges will soon be resolved as new advancements are made daily.
Data storage is the collection of methods and technologies that captures and retains digital information on electromagnetic storage media. Although there are many different data storage means, the most common ones include SSD (solid state device), HDD (hard disk drive), and cloud storage. A comparison of their pros and cons follows.
One of the benefits of HDD is that it is relatively cheaper than SSD. SSD costs twice as much with the same storage capacity as an HDD. In addition, HDD has a larger storage capacity range. Its starting capacity is 500GB in comparison to 128GB of SSD. Also, due to a higher read-write cycle, HDD has a longer life span than an SSD.
HDD has a slower read-write speed than SSD, which means a computer with HDD boots slower, and the file transfer is slower. Another disadvantage of HDD is that it gets damaged easily. In addition to that, HDD has a rotating disk that requires more energy as compared to SSD.
Performance-wise, SSD is considerably faster. It boots and runs the applications several times faster than HDD. Unlike HDD, it has no moving parts, so it consumes less energy and makes no noise. On top of that, it is lightweight, making it ideal for smartphones
ISSD costs way more than an HDD for the same storage capacity. It is also worth mentioning here that that SSD offers less base storage capacity than an HDD. Moreover, SSD is not very enduring as its life span is short.
Data can be accessed anywhere on any device when stored in the cloud. It enables the user to access the data on multiple devices by syncing. Cloud providers automate the backup process, so you don’t have to worry about data loss. Cloud storage is faster than HDD, so it also saves time. Moreover, it is cheaper as you only have to pay for your needed storage.
You cannot control or customize the data on the cloud, as some aspects will always be under the company’s control. In addition, once you have the information in the cloud, transferring the data to another cloud provider may get challenging. Finally, perhaps the most significant problem people face is cloud storage requires an internet connection. If your Internet connection fails, you obviously cannot have access to the stored data.
Local hard drives and clouds both have their merits. If you are looking for something easy to get and simple to use, a local hard drive — SSD for smaller storage and HDD for a larger one — may be what you need. HDD is typically used for Big Data. However, if you want to be able to have access to your data anywhere on any device, cloud storage is the best option for you.
