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Working with Big Data

David Dalsveen

By the end of this project, you will set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code, MongoDB and Apache Spark. You will then use the environment to process a large dataset from NOAA showing hourly precipitation rates for a ten year period from the state of Wisconsin.

MongoDB is a widely used NoSQL database well suited for very large datasets or Big Data. It is highly scalable and adaptable as well. Apache Spark is used for efficient in-memory processing of Big Data.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Imparts skills in data processing, storage, and analytics relevant for various fields
Provides an environment for hands-on practice with industry-relevant tools and technologies
Taught by an experienced instructor with expertise in Big Data Development
Suitable for learners interested in Data Science, Big Data Analytics, and Data Engineering
Requires no prior experience in MongoDB or Apache Spark
Involves working with a large real-world dataset

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Reviews summary

Practical big data environment setup

According to students, this course provides a highly practical and hands-on experience for setting up a Big Data development environment. Learners appreciate the use of Visual Studio Code, MongoDB, and Apache Spark, and find the integration with a real-world NOAA dataset particularly relevant. While many found the instructions clear and concise for processing data, some encountered challenging setup processes due to potential dependency issues or slightly outdated steps, requiring additional troubleshooting. Overall, it's considered an excellent quick start for practical Big Data application.
Instructions for actual data processing are clear.
"Once set up, the data processing was straightforward..."
"Very useful project for understanding the workflow of big data processing. The clear instructions for VS Code and Spark were a highlight."
"The core concept of data processing was good..."
Effective for quickly getting started with Big Data tools.
"I'd recommend this to anyone wanting a quick start in Spark and MongoDB."
"Absolutely brilliant! This course provides a super quick and effective way to get started with a functional big data environment."
"Useful for beginners, if they manage the setup."
Focuses on real-world application with a hands-on approach.
"This project was incredibly helpful for setting up a practical Big Data environment. ... It felt like a real-world task."
"Excellent practical project! It quickly guided me through setting up a functional Big Data dev environment. The use of a real dataset makes it very relevant."
"Absolutely brilliant! This course provides a super quick and effective way to get started with a functional big data environment. The practical nature is its biggest strength."
May lack advanced topics for experienced professionals.
"Useful for beginners, but not much depth for someone with prior experience."
"The data processing exercise was insightful, though I wish there were more examples or alternative datasets to try."
Persistent challenges with installation and dependency setup.
"The setup part was a bit tricky for me, especially getting all the dependencies right, but the steps eventually worked."
"The course is okay, but I struggled with the setup process. Some of the tools seemed a bit outdated, or perhaps the instructions weren't fully updated."
"The course is a bit challenging to set up. I faced multiple dependency issues and some of the tools mentioned... seem to have been updated, making some instructions less relevant."
"My only minor gripe is that it could benefit from a troubleshooting section for common setup issues."

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 Working with Big Data with these activities:
Review course materials
Review key concepts covered in previous courses, particularly data structures and algorithms.
Show steps
  • Review lecture notes and textbooks
  • Complete practice problems and exercises
  • Participate in online forums and discussion groups
Explore Big Data tools and technologies
Gain hands-on experience with the tools used in Big Data development, such as MongoDB and Apache Spark.
Show steps
  • Follow online tutorials on MongoDB and Apache Spark
  • Build small projects using these technologies
  • Contribute to open-source projects
Participate in study group or online discussion
Enhance your understanding by discussing course concepts with peers.
Show steps
  • Join or create a study group
  • Meet regularly to discuss course topics
  • Participate in online discussion forums
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Solve Big Data coding challenges
Test your programming skills and problem-solving abilities in the context of Big Data.
Show steps
  • Find online coding challenges related to Big Data
  • Solve the challenges using the programming languages covered in the course
  • Participate in online contests and hackathons
Mentor other students in the course
Reinforce your understanding of concepts by helping others.
Show steps
  • Join the course discussion forums and answer questions
  • Offer to provide one-on-one support to struggling students
  • Create video tutorials or cheat sheets to share with others
Contribute to open-source projects related to Big Data
Gain practical experience and contribute to the Big Data community.
Show steps
  • Find open-source projects related to Big Data
  • Contribute to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation
  • Collaborate with other contributors and learn from their expertise
Write a blog post or article on Big Data
Demonstrate your understanding of Big Data concepts by writing a blog post or article.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to Big Data
  • Research the topic thoroughly
  • Write the blog post or article
  • Publish the blog post or article online
Build a personal project using Big Data technologies
Apply your knowledge and skills to solve a real-world problem involving Big Data.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem that can be addressed using Big Data
  • Gather and prepare the necessary data
  • Develop a solution using Big Data technologies
  • Present your project to the class or online community

Career center

Learners who complete Working with Big Data will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use data to solve problems and make better decisions. They collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Data Analyst by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Data Engineer
Data Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports Big Data applications. They work with data scientists and other data professionals to design and implement data pipelines and data warehouses. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Data Engineer by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to build predictive models and make informed decisions. They work with data engineers and other data professionals to develop and implement machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Data Scientist by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. They work with database developers and other IT professionals to ensure that databases are running smoothly and efficiently. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Database Administrator by teaching you how to use MongoDB to manage and maintain large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with other software engineers and IT professionals to create software solutions that meet the needs of businesses and organizations. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Software Engineer by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use data to identify and solve business problems. They work with business stakeholders and other data professionals to develop and implement data-driven solutions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Business Analyst by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Marketing Analyst
Marketing Analysts use data to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They work with marketing managers and other marketing professionals to develop and implement data-driven marketing strategies. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Marketing Analyst by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Analyst
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use data to analyze financial markets and make investment recommendations. They work with financial advisors and other financial professionals to develop and implement investment strategies. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Financial Analyst by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use data to solve complex business problems. They work with operations managers and other business professionals to develop and implement operations research models. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Operations Research Analyst by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst
Statistician
Statisticians use data to collect, analyze, and interpret data. They work with researchers and other professionals to design and conduct statistical studies. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Statistician by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers design, develop, and maintain machine learning models. They work with data scientists and other machine learning professionals to develop and implement machine learning solutions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Machine Learning Engineer by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer
Data Architect
Data Architects design and manage data architectures. They work with data engineers and other data professionals to develop and implement data management solutions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Data Architect by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect
Big Data Architect
Big Data Architects design and manage Big Data architectures. They work with data engineers and other data professionals to develop and implement Big Data solutions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Big Data Architect by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Big Data Architect
Cloud Architect
Cloud Architects design and manage cloud computing architectures. They work with cloud engineers and other IT professionals to develop and implement cloud computing solutions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Cloud Architect by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers work with developers and operations teams to develop and maintain software applications. They use a variety of tools and techniques to automate the software development and deployment process. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful DevOps Engineer by teaching you how to use MongoDB and Apache Spark to process and analyze large datasets. You will also learn how to set up an environment for Big Data Development using Visual Studio Code.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Working with Big Data.
Cover image
Big Data Analytics
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of Big Data analytics, from strategic planning to enterprise integration. It covers the key concepts, technologies, and best practices for managing and analyzing Big Data.
Big Data Analytics: From Strategic Planning to...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Spark: The Definitive Guide
Save
Is the definitive guide to Apache Spark, the leading Big Data processing framework. It covers everything from basic concepts to advanced topics such as machine learning and graph processing.
Spark: The Definitive Guide
Paperback
Check
Spark: The Definitive Guide
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Spark: The Definitive Guide
Save
Provides a comprehensive reference to Apache Spark, the leading Big Data processing framework. It covers the key concepts, technologies, and best practices for managing and analyzing Big Data.
Spark: The Definitive Guide: Big Data Processing...
Paperback
$$
Spark: The Definitive Guide: Big Data Processing...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Pro Tableau
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to Big Data analytics with R and Hadoop. It covers the key concepts, technologies, and best practices for managing and analyzing Big Data.
Pro Tableau: A Step-by-Step Guide
Paperback
$$$
Pro Tableau: A Step-by-Step Guide
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Big Data for Dummies
Save
Provides a gentle introduction to Big Data analytics for beginners. It covers the key concepts, technologies, and best practices for managing and analyzing Big Data.
Big Data for Dummies
Paperback
Check
Big Data for Dummies
Kindle Edition
Check
NoSQL for Mere Mortals
Save
Provides a simple guide to NoSQL databases, including MongoDB. It covers the key concepts, technologies, and best practices for managing and analyzing Big Data.
NoSQL for Mere Mortals
Paperback
Check
NoSQL for Mere Mortals
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
2 hours
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
Coursera Project Network
Instructor
David Dalsveen
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Imparts skills in data processing, storage, and analytics relevant for various fields
Provides an environment for hands-on practice with industry-relevant tools and technologies
Taught by an experienced instructor with expertise in Big Data Development
Suitable for learners interested in Data Science, Big Data Analytics, and Data Engineering
Requires no prior experience in MongoDB or Apache Spark
Involves working with a large real-world dataset
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