What is Big Data? Big Data refers to a vast collection of data characterized by its huge volume and the challenge it poses to traditional data management tools due to its size and complexity (Taylor, 2022). The data is not only massive but also grows bigger and bigger over time. Three main types of Big Data include Structured, Unstructured, and Semi-structured. Structured Data is information organized in a fixed format, easily stored, accessed, and processed. Examples include relational database entries like an 'Employee’ table containing details such as Employee_ID, Employee_Name, Gender, Department, and Salary (Taylor, 2022). Unstructured Data lacks a predefined structure and can be in the form of text files, images, or videos. Organizations often struggle to derive value from unstructured data due to its raw and varied format. Semi-structured Data combines aspects of both structured and unstructured data, often seen in formats like XML files. An example is personal data stored in XML format with elements like name, sex, and age (Taylor, 2022). Real-life Examples of Big Data 1. New York Stock Exchange: Generates approximately one terabyte of trade data daily (Taylor, 2022). 2. Social Media (e.g., Facebook): over 500 terabytes of new data daily, comprising photo and video uploads, messages, and comments (Taylor, 2022). 3. Jet Engines: A single jet engine can produce 10+ terabytes of data in just 30 minutes of flight time, accumulating to many petabytes with thousands of flights per day (Taylor, 2022). 4. Netflix: Utilizes Big Data to tailor content recommendations, resulting in a 93% user retention rate. The platform's rapid growth is attributed to its responsive approach to user preferences and the creation of original movies and TV shows (Bornfight, n.d.). 5. Uber Eats: Expanding from taxi services to food delivery, Uber Eats relies on Big Data to optimize routes and enhance the efficiency of its delivery operations (Bornfight, n.d.) These examples underscore the diverse applications of Big Data across various industries, showcasing its pivotal role in shaping business strategies and customer experiences. Word Count: 260 References: Taylor, D. (2022, March 26). What is big data? Introduction, types, characteristics, examples. Guru99. https://www.guru99.com/what-is-big-data.html Bornfight. (n.d.). 7 real-world examples of how brands are using Big Data analytics. Bornfight. https://www.bornfight.com/blog/7-real-world-examples-of-how- brands-are-using-big-data-analytics/ 365 words
