Data Engineering Basics for Everyone from edX

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Welcome to Data Engineering Basics. This course is designed to familiarize you with data engineering concepts, ecosystem, lifecycle, processes, and tools.

The Data Engineering Ecosystem includes several different components. It includes data, data repositories, data integration platforms, data pipelines, different types of languages, and BI and Reporting tools. Data pipelines gather raw data from disparate data sources. Data repositories, such as relational and non-relational databases, data warehouses, data marts, data lakes, and big data stores, store and process this data. Data Integration Platforms combine data into a unified view for secure and easy access by data consumers. Data consumers use BI, reporting, and analytical tools on data so they can glean insights for better decision-making. You will learn about each of these components in this course.

A typical Data Engineering lifecycle includes architecting data platforms and designing data stores. It also includes the process of gathering, importing, wrangling, cleaning, querying, and analyzing data. Systems and workflows need to be monitored and finetuned for performance at optimal levels. In this course, you will learn about the architecture of data platforms and things you need to consider in order to design and select the right data store for your needs. You will also learn about the processes and tools a data engineer employs in order to gather, import, wrangle, clean, query, and analyze data.

Through a series of hands-on labs, you will be guided to provision a data store on IBM cloud, prepare and load data into the data store, and perform some basic operations on data.

Data Engineering is recognized as one of the fastest-growing fields today. The career opportunities available, and the different paths you can take to become a data engineer, are discussed in the course. Seasoned data professionals advice you on the practical and day-to-day aspects of being a data engineer and the skills and qualities employers look for in a data engineer.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Explain what data engineering is and the responsibilities and skillsets of a data engineer.
List tasks that need to be performed in a typical data engineering lifecycle.
Identify the different layers of a data platform's architecture and the key tasks performed in each layer.

Describe different learning paths that can lead you to a career in data engineering.
Explain what big data is, how it impacts the collection, monitoring, storage, analysis, and reporting of data, and list some big data processing tools.

Explain what data engineering is and the responsibilities and skillsets of a data engineer.
List tasks that need to be performed in a typical data engineering lifecycle.
Identify the different layers of a data platform's architecture and the key tasks performed in each layer.
Describe different learning paths that can lead you to a career in data engineering.
Explain what big data is, how it impacts the collection, monitoring, storage, analysis, and reporting of data, and list some big data processing tools.

Syllabus

Module 1: What is Data Engineering

Module 2: Data Engineering Ecosystem

Module 3: Data Engineering Lifecycle

Module 4: Career Opportunities and Learning Paths

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive study of data engineering concepts, ecosystem, lifecycle, processes, and tools

Helps learners build skills as a Data Engineer

Develops key skills in data gathering, importing, wrangling, cleaning, querying, and analyzing

Taught by experienced data professionals, providing insights into real-world applications

Provides hands-on labs for practical application of learned concepts

Covers the key tasks performed in a typical data engineering lifecycle

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Data Engineering Basics for Everyone with these activities:

Organize and review notes and assignments

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Consolidate your learning materials for better retention and recall

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Gather notes, assignments, and other learning materials
Organize and review the materials regularly

Review Python

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Lay down a solid foundation for data engineering by refreshing your understanding of Python

Browse courses on Python

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Review basic syntax and data structures
Solve practice problems on coding platforms

Attend a data engineering workshop

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Gain hands-on experience and learn from experts in the field

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Find a relevant data engineering workshop
Register and attend the workshop

Four other activities

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Follow tutorials on data engineering tools

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Familiarize yourself with the tools and technologies used in data engineering

Browse courses on Big Data Tools

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Identify popular data engineering tools
Find tutorials for those tools
Complete the tutorials

Join a data engineering study group

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Connect with peers and discuss concepts, share ideas, and work on projects together

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Find a study group or create one
Meet regularly to discuss course materials

Practice data cleaning and wrangling

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Develop proficiency in preparing and cleaning data for analysis

Browse courses on Data Cleaning

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Find datasets with messy data
Clean and wrangle the data

Build a data pipeline using a data engineering tool

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Apply your knowledge by creating a real-world data pipeline project

Browse courses on Data Pipeline

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Choose a project idea and dataset
Design and build the data pipeline
Test and validate the pipeline

Career center

Learners who complete Data Engineering Basics for Everyone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer builds and maintains data pipelines and data processing systems. This course may be very useful for Data Engineers who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge is essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as data pipeline design, data cleaning, and data analysis, which are all core responsibilities of a Data Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Data Architect

A Data Architect designs and builds data platforms and data management solutions. This course may be very useful for Data Architects who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge is essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as data platform architecture, data storage design, and data integration, which are all core responsibilities of a Data Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer builds and deploys machine learning models. This course may be useful for Machine Learning Engineers who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Machine Learning Engineers to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are essential for building and deploying machine learning models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst uses data to solve business problems and make better decisions. This course may be useful for Data Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Data Analysts to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to build models and make predictions. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Data Scientists to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases. This course may be useful for Database Administrators who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Database Administrators to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for managing and maintaining databases.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, builds, and tests software systems. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Software Engineers to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for designing, building, and testing software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Technical Architect

A Technical Architect designs and builds technology solutions. This course may be useful for Technical Architects who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Technical Architects to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for designing and building technology solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Architect

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst protects an organization's data from unauthorized access and use. This course may be useful for Information Security Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Information Security Analysts to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for protecting an organization's data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Software Architect

A Software Architect designs and builds software systems. This course may be useful for Software Architects who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Software Architects to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for designing and building software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst analyzes and designs business systems. This course may be useful for Systems Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Systems Analysts to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for analyzing and designing business systems.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Project Managers to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for managing projects.

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Web Developer

A Web Developer designs and builds websites. This course may be useful for Web Developers who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Web Developers to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for designing and building websites.

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Enterprise Architect

An Enterprise Architect designs and builds enterprise-wide IT solutions. This course may be useful for Enterprise Architects who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the data landscape and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Enterprise Architects to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which are valuable for designing and building enterprise-wide IT solutions.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst works closely with stakeholders to understand and define business requirements and translate those requirements into technical specifications. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of data engineering concepts, as this knowledge can help them to better understand the technical aspects of data-related business requirements and to more effectively collaborate with data engineers. Additionally, the course may help Business Analysts to develop the skills needed to gather, clean, and analyze data, which can be valuable for informing business decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst