In this article, we’ll take a look at what the Hadoop framework is, how to learn it, and what mistakes to avoid making while using it.
What is Hadoop?
Hadoop is an open-source framework that is used for managing big data. It is a Java-based platform that lets you store and process data. It uses a network of computers to manage large amounts of data.
Hadoop consists of three main components.
Hadoop distributed files system
The first component is the Hadoop distributed file system (HDFS). This storage unit lets you distribute data among many computers. HDFS splits up the data into multiple blocks which can be stored on multiple data nodes in a cluster.
A benefit of HDFS is that it makes copies of data and stores that data on different data nodes. This is called the replication method and ensures that there will be no loss of any data even in the event that a data node crashes.
HDFS consists of five areas: Name Node, Secondary Name Node, Job Tracker, Data Node, and Task Tracker.
MapReduce
MapReduce is the second component of Hadoop, which is related to the processing of the data. Instead of the time-consuming practice of processing data on a single machine with one processor, MapReduce provides a more efficient way.
With MapReduce, the data is separated into various parts. These parts of data are then processed separately on different data nodes. The final output is calculated by aggregating the individual results.
YARN
The third component of Hadoop is the YARN (Yet Another Resource Negotiator). There are four parts to YARN including a resource manager, node manager, application master, and containers.
Is it hard to learn Hadoop?
So long as you have the background knowledge and skills required to learn Hadoop, it will not be difficult to learn. Like any other skill, the more you practice using it the more proficient you will become.
Learning Java is something you will need to do before you start working with Hadoop. The Hadoop framework is written using the Java programming language, so having knowledge of Java will help with your understanding of Hadoop.
You will also want to have some experience with Linux. Since the Linux operating system is used for installing the Hadoop framework, having some knowledge of Linux will make it simpler to install and use Hadoop.
Lastly, you will need some skills with using SQL prior to learning Hadoop. Having an understanding of SQL commands and queries will be helpful with your ability to use Hadoop.
Where can I learn Hadoop?
If you don’t have any experience using Hadoop, it is recommended that you take a course to prepare you for this framework. An excellent choice is The Ultimate Hands-On Hadoop course offered through Udemy.
Over 140,000 students have enrolled in this bestselling course. It is taught by members of the Sundog Education Team, who specialize in machine learning, big data, artificial intelligence, and data science.
The course contains over 100 lectures and starts with step-by-step instructions on how to install Hadoop, as well as an overview of the Hadoop ecosystem. The course provides instruction on HDFS, MapReduce, and YARN.
Other topics you will learn while taking this class include programming Hadoop with Pig and Spark and using relational and non-relational data stores. You’ll gain an understanding of how to use Hive, HBase, Cassandra, and MongoDB.
The course wraps up with instructions on feeding data to your cluster and analyzing streams of data. You’ll learn how to design real-world systems using Hadoop. This course provides lifetime access to all materials.
Common mistakes when using Hadoop
If you are new to using Hadoop you will likely experience some mistakes and errors while learning. Here are some of the mistakes that people make with Hadoop architecture.
Not having a plan
The first step, before getting started with Hadoop, is to understand how it will be useful for your business. Having an idea of the big picture will help with the implementation of the framework. You need a well-thought-out plan to successfully transition to using Hadoop.
Not providing training and support
When transitioning to Hadoop, you can’t expect that your team will know how to use it efficiently. If your team previously used a relational database, the skills required to use Hadoop will need to be learned. Providing training on how to use this framework will ensure that your team has success with it.
Not thinking about security solutions
Working with a big data project requires that you give some consideration to the safety and security of that data. You’ll want to think about who will have access to clusters and what they can do with the data in them. It is advisable to automate the tracking of all actions and have this recorded in a log.
Where can I get help with Hadoop?
While learning Hadoop can present some challenges, there is plenty of support available in online communities to help you get comfortable with using this framework. You’ll also find assistance when it comes to troubleshooting.
A great resource for getting help with Hadoop is Stack Overflow. This community of developers and programmers has over 14 million users. Take advantage of this expertise by reading through the information and asking questions when you’re stuck. There are currently over 43,000 topics related to Hadoop on Stack Overflow.
Another great option is using YouTube to help you with your understanding of Hadoop. There are hundreds of videos and tutorials available at no cost that explain different aspects of the framework.
Final Thoughts
Learning Hadoop can be a great way to build your skill set and market yourself to employers. Many companies are prioritizing big data analytics so having knowledge of this framework will increase your hire-ability.
There is an increasing demand for professionals who are skilled with Hadoop and these job opportunities tend to pay a high salary. You can take your knowledge of this framework and move into a lucrative career.
Being aware of some of the common mistakes made with Hadoop and how to avoid them will help you succeed in this area.