In addition, many data scientists don't have JavaScript skills. However, D3 includes more than 30 modules and 1,000 visualization methods, making it complicated to learn. First released in 2011, it can be used to design various types of data visualizations and supports features such as interaction, animation, annotation and quantitative analysis. D3's developers describe it as a dynamic and flexible tool that requires a minimum amount of effort to generate visual representations of data.ĭ3.js lets visualization designers bind data to documents via the Document Object Model and then use DOM manipulation methods to make data-driven transformations to the documents. Commonly known as D3, which stands for Data-Driven Documents, it uses web standards, such as HTML, Scalable Vector Graphics and CSS, instead of its own graphical vocabulary. D3.jsĪnother open source tool, D3.js is a JavaScript library for creating custom data visualizations in a web browser. It features an extensive set of developer libraries and APIs, including a machine learning library and support for key programming languages, making it easier for data scientists to quickly put the platform to work. Spark is still often used with Hadoop but can also run standalone against other file systems and data stores. In fact, Spark initially was touted as a faster alternative to the MapReduce engine for batch processing in Hadoop clusters. However, as a general-purpose distributed processing engine, Spark is equally suited for extract, transform and load uses and other SQL batch jobs. Spark's ability to rapidly process data has fueled significant growth in the use of the platform since it was created in 2009, helping to make the Spark project one of the largest open source communities among big data technologies.ĭue to its speed, Spark is well suited for continuous intelligence applications powered by near-real-time processing of streaming data. Apache SparkĪpache Spark is an open source data processing and analytics engine that can handle large amounts of data - upward of several petabytes, according to proponents. Here's a rundown of 18 top data science tools that may be able to aid you in the analytics process, listed in alphabetical order with details on their features and capabilities - and some potential limitations. Meanwhile, market research firm IDC predicted in an August 2021 report that overall spending on big data and analytics systems will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.8% worldwide through 2025.Īs data science teams build their portfolios of enabling technologies, they can choose from a wide selection of tools and platforms. In a survey conducted by consultancy NewVantage Partners in late 2021, 91.7% of IT and business executives from 94 large companies said they're increasing their investments in data and AI initiatives such as data science programs.