CS-3440-01 -AY2025-T4
Big Data
Written Assignment
Unit-4
Querying Techniques for Big Data: Benefits and Implementation in Organizations
In today’s digital era, organizations generate and collect massive volumes of data from diverse
sources. To turn this big data into actionable insights, organizations must use efficient querying
techniques. Traditional data querying methods often fall short when handling large-scale, high-
velocity, and unstructured data. This paper identifies three widely used querying techniques that
benefit organizations: SQL-on-Hadoop, NoSQL querying, and stream processing querying. It
also explores how organizations are implementing these techniques to improve decision-making,
operations, and customer engagement.
1. SQL-on-Hadoop
SQL-on-Hadoop is a technique that enables querying of big data using SQL-like syntax directly
on data stored in Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS). Tools like Apache Hive, Impala, and
Spark SQL fall under this category. These platforms extend familiar SQL capabilities to the
distributed and parallel architecture of Hadoop, making it easier for analysts and data scientists
to write complex queries over massive datasets.
Organizations benefit from SQL-on-Hadoop by enabling their existing workforce to work with
big data without learning new programming languages. For example, companies in finance and
healthcare use Hive to process and analyze petabytes of historical data to discover trends and
support forecasting models (Małysiak-Mrozek et al., 2022). The ability to handle schema-on-
read and accommodate different data formats makes this technique valuable in diverse business
settings. Organizations also use Spark SQL to optimize performance through in-memory
computation, which reduces query execution time significantly.
2. NoSQL Querying
NoSQL querying techniques are designed to work with non-relational databases that store
unstructured or semi-structured data. These databases -- such as MongoDB, Cassandra, and
Couchbase -- are highly scalable and flexible. NoSQL systems allow for horizontal scaling,
faster reads/writes, and easy schema evolution.
Organizations implementing NoSQL benefit from its ability to handle large volumes of user-
generated content, logs, or sensor data. E-commerce companies, for instance, use MongoDB to
manage product catalogs, customer interactions, and recommendations based on real-time
behavior. Social media platforms rely on Cassandra for its high availability and fault tolerance.
By querying through application code or built-in query languages like MongoDB’s query API,
businesses can respond to user behavior quickly and deliver personalized content.
3. Stream Processing Querying
Stream processing querying allows organizations to analyze data in real-time as it flows into the
system. Tools such as Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, and Apache Storm support this model. They
enable continuous querying and event detection, making them ideal for applications that require
immediate insight and response.
Organizations apply stream processing techniques in domains such as cybersecurity, fraud
detection, and IoT monitoring. For example, banks use Apache Flink to detect fraudulent
transactions by querying event streams in real-time (Gurusamy et al., 2017). Similarly, logistics
firms use Kafka to track shipment updates, optimize routes, and alert users instantly when
anomalies are detected. Stream processing not only supports operational efficiency but also
enhances customer satisfaction through timely communication and decision-making.
Conclusion
The three querying techniques—SQL-on-Hadoop, NoSQL querying, and stream processing --
offer tailored solutions to the challenges posed by big data. By adopting these methods,
organizations can efficiently manage their data workloads, derive insights at scale, and respond
quickly to dynamic business needs. As big data continues to grow in complexity and volume,
these querying techniques will remain vital for competitive advantage and strategic planning.
References
1. Gurusamy, V., Kannan, S., & Nandhini, K. (2017). The real-time big data processing
framework: Advantages and limitations. International Journal of Computer Sciences and
Engineering, 5(12), 305–312. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322550872
2. Małysiak-Mrozek, B., Wieszok, J., Pedrycz, W., Ding, W., & Mrozek, D. (2022). High-
efficient fuzzy querying with HiveQL for big data warehousing. IEEE Transactions on
Fuzzy Systems, 30(6), 1823–1837. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9388934
