Comparing a traditional database with an analytical database and a NoSQL database.

1.) Compare a traditional database with an analytical database and a NoSQL database.

2.) Compare THREE examples; each should be drawn from one of the following areas below:
a.) Databases (a traditional database, an analytical database, NoSQL database)
b.) Statistics Packages (such as SPSS, SAS, R, MiniTab, and MATLAB)
c.) API (including WEKA, Orange, Statistica, and Hadoop)

Describe your selected database, statistics package, and API or development environment and discuss how they are related and how each is used as part of an overall analytics system.

Full Answer Section

How a traditional database, statistics package, and API can be used as part of an overall analytics system:

A traditional database can be used to store data from a variety of sources, such as CRM systems, ERP systems, and web applications. This data can then be extracted, transformed, and loaded (ETL) into an analytical database for analysis. A statistics package can be used to perform a variety of analytical tasks on the data in the analytical database, such as statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. An API can be used to automate the ETL process and to integrate the different components of the analytics system.

For example, a company might use a traditional database to store data about its customers, sales, and products. This data could then be ETLed into an analytical database for analysis. A statistics package could be used to analyze the data in the analytical database to identify trends and patterns. The company could then use the results of the analysis to make better business decisions, such as which products to promote or where to open new stores.

Example workflow:

  1. Data is collected from various sources, such as CRM systems, ERP systems, and web applications.
  2. The data is cleaned and transformed into a format that is compatible with the analytical database.
  3. The data is loaded into the analytical database.
  4. A statistics package is used to analyze the data in the analytical database.
  5. The results of the analysis are visualized and presented to decision-makers.

An API can be used to automate the ETL process and to integrate the different components of the analytics system. For example, an API could be used to extract data from the traditional database, transform the data, and load the data into the analytical database. An API could also be used to submit analysis requests to the statistics package and to retrieve the results of the analysis.

By using a traditional database, statistics package, and API, organizations can build powerful analytics systems that can help them to make better business decisions.

Sample Answer

Comparison of Traditional, Analytical, and NoSQL Databases

Feature Traditional Database Analytical Database NoSQL Database
Data model Relational Columnar Document, key-value, graph
Scalability Vertical Horizontal Horizontal
Performance Good for OLTP (online transaction processing) Good for OLAP (online analytical processing) Good for specific types of workloads
Use cases General-purpose applications, such as CRM and ERP systems Data warehousing and analytics Web applications, social media, IoT

Examples

  • Traditional database: MySQL
  • Analytical database: Amazon Redshift
  • NoSQL database: MongoDB

Statistics packages: SPSS, SAS, R, Minitab, MATLAB

APIs: WEKA, Orange, Statistica, Hadoop