Summary

This chapter introduced us to KNIME, the new addition to our data analytics toolbox. We learned what KNIME is in a nutshell and got started with its user interface, which enables us to combine simple computation units (nodes) into more complex analytical routines (workflows) with speed and agility, without having to write extensive code. We got started with the ever-present preliminary steps of any data work: loading and cleaning up data to make it usable for doing analytics. We got acquainted with twelve basic nodes in KNIME that empowered us to create repeatable routines, which include: opening files in different formats, sorting and filtering data following some logic, manipulating strings, and managing missing values and duplicate rows. Not bad for being just on the second chapter!

Having the basics clearly explained, we can now dare to go further with KNIME. In the next chapter, Chapter 3, Transforming Data, we will learn how to work on multiple data tables and to build more complex data workflows for analyzing real-world data feeds.