This chapter introduces another emerging and powerful technique in the field of data analysis—analyzing data in near real time using Streaming technologies. In the previous chapters, we looked at analyzing data that had already been created, using a technique known as batch-oriented data processing.
There are numerous cases where the value of data starts to diminish as the data starts to age. An excellent example of this is an online retailer that tracks customer interaction on its website. Offline batch-oriented analysis of this data to understand customer' behavior and preferences is certainly of great value to the retailer; however, a near real-time analysis of this data could have an even greater impact on the customer's experience. For example, a customer's experience could be made adaptive based on the current...
