Hadoop

Apache Hadoop is a free framework that allows for the storage and processing of large datasets by distributing them across clusters of computers. Rather than depending on a single powerful machine, Hadoop utilizes the collective capabilities of multiple standard computers to process data simultaneously, which enhances its scalability and resilience against hardware malfunctions.

The Hadoop framework consists of four primary modules that collaborate to oversee distributed storage and processing. These components establish the basis of the Hadoop ecosystem, allowing it to efficiently manage big data tasks with a high degree of fault tolerance.

The strong and scalable architecture of Hadoop positions it as a fundamental tool for big data analytics in various sectors. It is particularly effective at processing extensive amounts of both structured and unstructured data, helping organizations to extract significant insights.

Although Hadoop and HDFS are often mentioned together, they fulfill different functions within the big data ecosystem.

The primary benefit of Hadoop is its extensive scalability, capable of processing petabytes of data across clusters of standard hardware. This distributed system is not only cost-effective but also resilient to faults, ensuring reliability through data replication, which safeguards against hardware failures.