Data Structures, Types, and Formats
This chapter is all about data storage. Occasionally, a data analyst will have to collect their own data, but for many, the company already has data stored and ready for use. During their career, a data analyst may encounter data stored in several different formats, and each format requires a different approach. While there are hundreds, if not thousands, of different formats, the exam only covers the most common, and this chapter will go over what you need to know about them.
Here, we will discuss things such as how data is actually stored in a database, which includes whether or not it is structured, deciding what kind of data is stored in it, and whether the database is organized to follow a specific data schema to make it more efficient. We will also cover common database archetypes, or data storage solutions that are arranged in a specific way for a specific purpose, such as a data warehouse or a data lake. After that, we will discuss why...