Real Time Big Data: Defination, Need, Uses, Examples, Challenges, Technologies and Analytics

Real Time Big Data: Defination, Need, Uses, Examples, Challenges, Technologies and Analytics

This article is based on real time big data. We will discuss what is big data? What is the need of big data? We will also provide some uses and examples of big data which will let you think the actual need of real time big data. We will also discuss the various challenges in the field of real time big data and how can we face these big data challenges. Then we have some big data analytics with us.

Defination of Real Time Big Data

Big data usually includes data sets with sizes beyond the ability of commonly-used software tools to capture, curate, manage, and process the data within a tolerable elapsed time.

Big data is a popular term used to describe the exponential growth, availability and use of information, both structured and unstructured.

Need of Real Time Big Data

Many factors are there which increase the need of real time big data like Volume of data, Variety of data and Velocity of data, Variability and Complexity of data. These factors are discussed below in detail:

1. Volume: Many factors contribute to the increase in data volume – transaction-based data stored through the years, text data constantly streaming in from social media, increasing amounts of sensor data being collected, etc. In the past, excessive data volume created a storage issue. But with today's decreasing storage costs, other issues emerge, including how to determine relevance amidst the large volumes of data and how to create value from data that is relevant.

2. Variety: Data today comes in all types of formats – from traditional databases to hierarchical data stores created by end users and OLAP systems, to text documents, email, meter-collected data, video, audio, stock ticker data and financial transactions. By some estimates, 80 percent of an organization's data is not numeric! But it still must be included in analyses and decision making.

3. Velocity: According to Gartner, velocity "means both how fast data is being produced and how fast the data must be processed to meet demand." RFID tags and smart metering are driving an increasing need to deal with torrents of data in near-real time. Reacting quickly enough to deal with velocity is a challenge to most organizations.

4. Variability: In addition to the increasing velocities and varieties of data, data flows can be highly inconsistent with periodic peaks. Is something big trending in the social media? Perhaps there is a high-profile IPO looming. Maybe swimming with pigs in the Bahamas is suddenly the must-do vacation activity. Daily, seasonal and event-triggered peak data loads can be challenging to manage – especially with social media involved.

5. Complexity: When you deal with huge volumes of data, it comes from multiple sources. It is quite an undertaking to link, match, cleanse and transform data across systems. However, it is necessary to connect and correlate relationships, hierarchies and multiple data linkages or your data can quickly spiral out of control. Data governance can help you determine how disparate data relates to common definitions and how to systematically integrate structured and unstructured data assets to produce high-quality information that is useful, appropriate and up-to-date.

Uses of Real Time Big Data

So the real issue is not that you are acquiring large amounts of data (because we are clearly already in the era of big data). It's what you do with your big data that matters. The hopeful vision for big data is that organizations will be able to harness relevant data and use it to make the best decisions.

Technologies today not only support the collection and storage of large amounts of data, they provide the ability to understand and take advantage of its full value, which helps organizations run more efficiently and profitably. For instance, with big data and big data analytics, it is possible to:

1. Analyze millions of SKUs to determine optimal prices that maximize profit and clear inventory.

2. Recalculate entire risk portfolios in minutes and understand future possibilities to mitigate risk.

3. Mine customer data for insights that drive new strategies for customer acquisition, retention, campaign optimization and next best offers.

4. Quickly identify customers who matter the most.

5. Generate retail coupons at the point of sale based on the customer's current and past purchases, ensuring a higher redemption rate.

6. Send tailored recommendations to mobile devices at just the right time, while customers are in the right location to take advantage of offers.

7. Analyze data from social media to detect new market trends and changes in demand.

8. Use clickstream analysis and data mining to detect fraudulent behavior.

9. Determine root causes of failures, issues and defects by investigating user sessions, network logs and machine sensors.

 

Examples of Real Time Big Data

1. RFID (Radio Frequency ID) systems generate up to 1,000 times the data of conventional bar code systems.

2. 10,000 payment card transactions are made every second around the world.

3. Walmart handles more than 1 million customer transactions an hour.

4. 340 million tweets are sent per day. That's nearly 4,000 tweets per second.

5. Facebook has more than 901 million active users generating social interaction data.

6. More than 5 billion people are calling, texting, tweeting and browsing websites on mobile phones.

Challenges of Real Time Big Data

Many organizations are concerned that the amount of amassed data is becoming so large that it is difficult to find the most valuable pieces of information.

What if your data volume gets so large and varied you don't know how to deal with it?

1. Do you store all your data?
2. Do you analyze it all?
3. How can you find out which data points are really important?
4. How can you use it to your best advantage?

 

Until recently, organizations have been limited to using subsets of their data, or they were constrained to simplistic analyses because the sheer volumes of data overwhelmed their processing platforms. What is the point of collecting and storing terabytes of data if you can't analyze it in full context, or if you have to wait hours or days to get results? On the other hand, not all business questions are better answered by bigger data.

You now have two choices:

Incorporate massive data volumes in analysis. If the answers you are seeking will be better provided by analyzing all of your data, go for it. The game-changing technologies that extract true value from big data – all of it – are here today. One approach is to apply high-performance analytics to analyze the massive amounts of data using technologies such as grid computing, in-database processing and in-memory analytics.

Determine upfront which big data is relevant. Traditionally, the trend has been to store everything (some call it data hoarding) and only when you query the data do you discover what is relevant. We now have the ability to apply analytics on the front end to determine data relevance based on context. This analysis can be used to determine which data should be included in analytical processes and which can be placed in low-cost storage for later availability if needed.

Technologies of Real Time Big Data

A number of recent technology advancements are enabling organizations to make the most of big data and big data analytics:

1. Cheap, abundant storage and server processing capacity.

2. Faster processors.

3. Affordable large-memory capabilities, such as Hadoop.

4. New storage and processing technologies designed specifically for large data volumes, including unstructured data.

5. Parallel processing, clustering, MPP, virtualization, large grid environments, high connectivity and high throughputs.

6. Cloud computing and other flexible resource allocation arrangements.

Big data technologies not only support the ability to collect large amounts of data, they provide the ability to understand it and take advantage of its value. The goal of all organizations with access to large data collections should be to harness the most relevant data and use it for optimized decision making.

It is very important to understand that not all of your data will be relevant or useful. But how can you find the data points that matter most? It is a problem that is widely acknowledged.

What is an EXE (Executable) File?

What is an EXE (Executable) File?

An exe file (executable file) is a computer file that ends with the extension ".exe" known as an executable file. When one clicks on an exe file, a built-in routine automatically executes code that can set several functions into motion. Exe files are used to install and run programs and routines.

An executable file is a file that is used to perform various functions or operations on a computer. Unlike a data file, an executable file cannot be read because it has been compiled.

EXE File Format

An exe file is just one of several file format types that are recognized by various operating systems. Text files, which are files that do not generate code but simply display text, end in txt. Microsoft Word saves files with the doc extension, short for document. Another common file type is the compressed or zipped file, which uses the zip extension.

On an IBM compatible computer, common executable files are .BAT, .COM, .EXE, and .BIN. Depending on the operating system and its setup, there can also be several other executable files.

Precautions while downloading and opening an exe file

The exe file is one of the most useful types of files precisely because it runs programs; however, this also makes it potentially harmful. It can be used as a delivery system for viruses or other malicious routines. Outwardly, the infected exe file might seem quite benign. Clicking on it might appear to launch nothing more than an animated cartoon or simple arcade game. However, unseen code can be running in the background, infecting or compromising the computer.

If one clicks on a malicious exe file, over the next several hours or days the computer might become unstable. Often the user does not relate the problem back to the cause and attributes it to other factors, such as the need to defragment or replace a disk. Personal information or password keystrokes might be handed over to an unknown website without knowledge of the user, or the machine might delete its own files and crash altogether. Any of these scenarios and more can be set in motion by simply clicking on a 'bad' exe file.

Because of the potential harm, when downloading any exe file it's a good idea to scan it with a reputable virus scanner before clicking on it. To this end, security experts recommend setting browsers so that websites cannot load programs automatically. This gives the surfer the chance to monitor which programs get passed to his or her computer.

Exe files are generally not meant to be edited, and changing an exe's file size will render it inoperable. Since the exe file is most often a program, it is routinely protected by copyright laws, per the linked license agreement issued by its author. Hacking an exe file is illegal in this case. The exception is public domain software. Public domain software belongs to the public and can legally be altered by anyone.

As it is safest to err on the side of caution, the best defense is a good offense. Experts recommend keeping virus checkers up to date and deleting email from unknown sources. If you receive an exe file from someone you trust, scan it first before clicking on it. Even files that appear to be coming from reputable sources can be maligned by third parties without the source's knowledge.

Online Professional IT Certification Courses

Online Professional IT Certification Courses

There are many online professional IT certifications courses available. Most popular online IT certification courses include Cisco CCNA and Microsoft certifications. You can get online certification training and can give online certification exams. Beside these, there are also testing and ethical hacking online certification courses available. Here is the list of online professional IT certification courses.

1. Online Professional Cisco CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) Certification Courses

A) CCNA Discovery

CCNA Discovery provides an overview of general networking theory and opportunities for practical experience, career exploration, and soft-skills development.

B) Cisco CCNA

CCNA Exploration provides a comprehensive overview of foundational to advanced networking concepts, with an emphasis on theory and practical application.

C) CCNA Security 

CCNA Security introduces the core security concepts and skills needed to install, troubleshoot, and monitor a network to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and devices. 

D) CCNP 

CCNP teaches the advanced skills needed to install, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot enterprise-sized networks and manage wireless, security, and voice applications.

2. Online Professional Microsoft Certification Courses

Microsoft Certification has many benefits and enables you to keep your skills relevant, applicable, and competitive. In addition, Microsoft Certification is an industry standard that is recognized worldwide—which helps open doors to a lot of career options. After you earn your Microsoft Certification, you have access to a number of benefits, which can be found on the MCP, MCT, or MOS member site.

A) The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

An MCTS certification proves your ability to successfully implement, build on, troubleshoot, and debug a particular Microsoft technology, such as a Windows operating system, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, and Microsoft Visual Studio. MCTS credential enables professionals to target specific technologies, and is generally the first step toward the Professional-level certifications.

B) Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification helps validate that an individual has the comprehensive set of skills necessary to perform a particular role, such as database administrator or enterprise messaging administrator. MCITP certifications build on the technical proficiency measured in the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications. Therefore, you will earn one or more MCTS certifications on your way to earning a MCITP certification. MCITP certified professionals end up as IT support engineer, Windows server System administrator, or Senior Database Administrator.

C) Microsoft Certified Architect Program (MCA)

If you have an experience of more than ten years in IT or more than five years in a specific architecture, then MCA can give your career that much needed boost. If you are a technology architect designing IT solutions for enterprises along with the skills to execute a project from start until the end, earning a MCA might just be the right thing to do. The Microsoft Certified Architect Program is necessary for all IT professionals seeking a specialist degree to validate their expertise in the IT architecture.

3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

If you plan to build a career in information security, one of today's most visible professions, then the CISSP credential should be your next career goal. It is the credential for professionals who develop policies and procedures in information security. This certification can easily fetch you the post of security managers and security professionals.

4. IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL foundation certificate)

ITIL certifications provide demonstration of knowledge and skills involved in management positions in IT services. There are three certification levels: Foundation, Practitioner, and Manager. The Manager level certification requires completion of a two-week training program, and candidates must have the Foundation certification and five years of IT management experience. Then, they must pass two three-hour exams consisting of essay questions. ITIL is intended to assist organizations in developing a framework for IT service management.

5. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)

ISTQB is software testing qualification certification organization. It is responsible for the international qualification scheme called "ISTQB Certified Tester". As of March 2011, it has issued over 180 certifications in more than 70 countries. The qualifications are based on a syllabus, and there is a hierarchy of qualifications and guidelines for accreditation and examination. It is the ISTQB's role to support a single, universally accepted, international qualification scheme, aimed at software and system testing professionals, by providing the core syllabi and by setting guidelines for accreditation and examination for national boards.

6. Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC)

For those interested in working with the Mac OS X, this is one rare and necessary certification. It targets entry level system administrators, who provide support and maintain Mac OS X client server environments.

7. Project Management Professional (PMP)

PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP) credential is the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers. Globally recognized and demanded, the PMP demonstrates that you have the experience, education and competency to successfully lead and direct projects. This recognition is seen through increased marketability to employers and higher salary.

8. Ethical Hacker Certification (EHC)

The EHC Program certifies individuals in the specific network security discipline of Ethical Hacking from a vendor-neutral perspective. The Certified Ethical Hacker certification builds up the application knowledge of security officers, auditors, security professionals, site administrators, and anyone who is concerned about the integrity of the network infrastructure. A Certified Ethical Hacker is a skilled professional who understands and knows how to look for the weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker.

Phonegap Development Interview Questions and Answers for Mobile Developers

Phonegap Development Interview Questions and Answers for Mobile Developers

We have compiled a short list of phonegap development interview questions and answers for mobile developers. A phonegap mobile application developer must know the answers of these following questions of phonegap before going to phonegap interview.

1. What is PhoneGap and why should mobile developers consider using phonegap?

PhoneGap is a mobile application framework that allows developers to use HTML, JavaScript and CSS to create mobile apps that are present as first-class applications on the phone. That means the mobile apps have their own icons and operate similarly to native applications without a browser frame around them.

They are distributed via the application stores, such as the Android Market and the Apple App Store, and they have access to a set of native functions to further make them work like native apps.

Mobile developers use PhoneGap because it allows them to have a common codebase for all their application code. It doesn’t force developers to reinvent the wheel every time they move from platform to platform.

2. Are there downsides to using PhoneGap? or Limitations of Phonegap

You are subject to the limitations of the browser and the JavaScript engine that comes with your device. On Android 2.3, this isn’t too bad. Earlier versions of Android don’t support certain features, and many of them use older JavaScript interpreters, which can impact an application. Also, there are certain things that are better implemented in native code, like cryptography or 3-D graphics. Most apps don’t use features like this — they simply display information, which the web does well.

3. What’s the best way for PhoneGap developers to handle device-specific needs?

It depends on the feature set. Most mobile applications don’t need many device-specific features beyond the user interface, but there are numerous plugins that can help with this approach. The best approach is to decide what features you need and to use only those features. There are many applications that have permissions turned on that they don’t need. For example, a simple ebook doesn’t need access to your phone state, GPS or contacts.

4. What is a hybrid app?

A hybrid application is one that has features of both a web application and a native application. Certain features, such as Image Capture, NFC or Android OpenAccessory, may be implemented natively since there is currently no way to do this in JavaScript. But the application logic and the UI are implemented using web technologies to allow for a consistent and unique user experience across devices.

5. How phonegap simplifies mobile development?

Mobile development is a mess. Building applications for each device--iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile and more--requires different frameworks and languages. One day, the big players in mobile may decide to work together and unify third-party app development processes. Until then, PhoneGap will use standards-based web technologies to bridge web applications and mobile devices. Plus, because PhoneGap apps are standards compliant, they're future-proofed to work with browsers as they evolve.

PhoneGap is an open source implementation of open standards. That means developers and companies can use PhoneGap for mobile applications that are free, commercial, open source, or any combination of these.

Simple Delphi Program to Show Usage of OnCloseQuery Event in Delphi XE2

Simple Delphi Program to Show Usage of OnCloseQuery Event in Delphi XE2

Usage of OnCloseQuery Event:

OnCloseQuery Event occurs when close is attempted.

Use OnCloseQuery to specify the conditions under which the form can close. An OnCloseQuery event handler returns a Boolean CanClose value that determines whether a form is allowed to close. Its default value is true.

You can use an OnCloseQuery event handler to ask users if they are sure they really want the form closed immediately. For example, you can use the handler to display a message box that prompts the user to save a file before closing the form.

The TCloseQueryEvent type points to the method that determines whether a form can be closed. The value of the CanClose parameter determines if the form can close or not.

Requirement: When I close my delphi form by pressing cross/cancel red button on the top right corner of the delphi form or by pressing ALT + F4, I should get a confirmation message 'Do you really want to close the application?' If I press YES, then my delphi form should get closed otherwise nothing happens.

Solution: I will make a small function say 'CloseApplication' on the OnCloseQuery event of my delphi form. I will use MessageDlg asking for the confirmation to close the delphi application. Here is the simple delphi program which does all.

procedure MyForm.CloseApplication(Sender: TObject; var CanClose: Boolean);
var
  buttonSelected : integer;
begin
  buttonSelected := MessageDlg('Do you really want to close the application?',mtCustom, [mbYes,mbNo], 0);
  if buttonSelected = mrYES then
  begin
    CanClose := True;
  end
  else
  begin
    CanClose := False;
  end;
end;