What is Hadoop and Why Does it Matter?

Hadoop refers to an open-source software framework that supports the storage of a large amount of data and operation of applications in cluster systems. Other than a capacity of massive storage, it also provides enormous processing power. In addition, it also supports limitless simultaneous jobs or tasks.

The Importance of Hadoop

Hadoop provides the provision for excellent data management. In a distributed computing environment, it serves as the framework that processes large chunks of data sets. It is tailor-made to not only work with single servers but to also work with hundreds of thousands of machines to furnish both storage and computation.

At present, Hadoop is preferred over other frameworks for the following advantages:

• Capability to process and store massive data in quick time
• Fault tolerance
• Computing power
• Low cost
• Flexibility
• Scalability

Challenges of Using Hadoop

Notwithstanding the popularity of Hadoop for its benefits as listed above, the fact remains that it also has certain disadvantages. These are as follows:

• MapReduce programming may not be the solution to all issues
• Hadoop necessitates dexterity which a majority of programmers lack
• Hadoop has security issues pertaining to certain  tools and technologies
• Hadoop lacks full-feature tools to control or clean data and metadata

Final Thoughts

As it is evident, despite Hadoop’s advantages as a modern technology, it also comes across with certain challenges. Thus, it is important to use it in the appropriate manner in order to reap the benefits of including it in the scheme of things.