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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Distributed Computing with Spark SQL by University of California, Davis

4.5
stars
659 ratings

About the Course

This course is all about big data. It’s for students with SQL experience that want to take the next step on their data journey by learning distributed computing using Apache Spark. Students will gain a thorough understanding of this open-source standard for working with large datasets. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of data analysis using SQL on Spark, setting the foundation for how to combine data with advanced analytics at scale and in production environments. The four modules build on one another and by the end of the course you will understand: the Spark architecture, queries within Spark, common ways to optimize Spark SQL, and how to build reliable data pipelines. The first module introduces Spark and the Databricks environment including how Spark distributes computation and Spark SQL. Module 2 covers the core concepts of Spark such as storage vs. compute, caching, partitions, and troubleshooting performance issues via the Spark UI. It also covers new features in Apache Spark 3.x such as Adaptive Query Execution. The third module focuses on Engineering Data Pipelines including connecting to databases, schemas and data types, file formats, and writing reliable data. The final module covers data lakes, data warehouses, and lakehouses. Students build production grade data pipelines by combining Spark with the open-source project Delta Lake. By the end of this course, students will hone their SQL and distributed computing skills to become more adept at advanced analysis and to set the stage for transitioning to more advanced analytics as Data Scientists....

Top reviews

GT

Jun 9, 2020

I highly recommend this course for anyone in the BI and Data space interested in learning Spark. The course gives an easy to understand to the framework and applicable hands on examples.

KS

May 13, 2020

Amazing course that really cuts through the fundamentals of using distributed computing power to analyze and manipulate data. Well organised structure on fundamentals

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26 - 50 of 162 Reviews for Distributed Computing with Spark SQL

By Nataliya F

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Nov 6, 2023

I really liked this course. It was very informative, with a good amount of knowledge testing and practise. Some parts were slightly more challenging, but in a good way. The instructors were great, and information was given and explained well, along with on-hand experience on DataBricks. The reading sources were also very helpful. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to familiarise themselves with Spark and DataBricks and learn more about data and how everything operates.

By Daniel J

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Sep 30, 2020

While I wish I'd learned a bit of Python before taking this course (to help with troubleshooting in the final module), overall I found the course extremely well put-together and incredibly useful for understanding SQL's role in the larger world of data science. The instructors are easy to follow, and the notebooks in Databricks create great supplements to your course notes. A few of the questions were a little confusing, but overall, I was very glad I took this course.

By Suhaimi C

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Jul 1, 2021

Great well prepared course with programming exercises. Thank much for the instructors and coursera for providing excellent course about spark sql distributed computing. I learned some new things from this course. Highly recommend this course if you would like to know more about spark sql distributed computing.

By Davide C

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Dec 12, 2020

Great course for developing further your knowledge of SQL and for a nice introduction to the world of Big Data and parallel computing. Extremely recommended for anyone with a basic-intermediate knowledge of SQL who want to approach Big Data databases and parallel computing on them.

By David Y

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Jan 8, 2021

Great high level overview for Spark beginners with focus on application. Course materials are reasonably up to date and well designed. Might be nice if there was a PySpark complement to this course but I understand that it's part of the SQL specialization. Would highly recommend.

By Deepika S

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May 20, 2020

This course is a great learning source for Distributed Computing with Spark SQL. I got started with course and learnt basic concepts, dos and don'ts.

Concepts are explained well and work notebooks provided needed hands on experience.

Thanks for the course.

Best,

Deepika Sharma

By Christina F

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Oct 11, 2022

This was my favorite course of the 4 part certification path. Although I felt this wouldn't really be useful to my current position, I learned a lot and understand how data works better now and loved using Databricks. I felt it was much easier to use than Mode.

By João S

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Mar 7, 2023

This is a very good module indeed. It's not easy but it opens the horizons a lot. Although it's just a basic view of what Spark SQL can do, it puts on the table what is out there. I am really considering different paths on my career with data after this module.

By Serjesh S

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May 29, 2020

I wanted to quickly revisit spark sql on Databricks platform after last time using spark (on premise)3 years ago .This course provided perfect refresher to all the important concepts.Module 4 is specifically pleasant and take it little closer to BigQueryML.

By Takashi T

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Oct 11, 2020

The course was easy and clear to follow. The assignments and quizzes were easy to complete. Also by checking discussion forum, I can see that both instructors check and provide helps to people who posted the questions. I highly recommend this course.

By Amin N

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Feb 6, 2023

The course is a perfect choice for introduction to distributed computing notions as well the powerful tool, Spark. Learning the material in this course seems useful for me and it was definitely thrilling to dive into such techniques and tools.

By Oscar A

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Dec 30, 2020

Buen curso. Se demuestra lo íntimamente ligados que están los códigos con el hardware y cómo hacer un mejor uso del hardware disponible usando spark a través de la computación distribuida para hacer más eficientes las consultas. Recomendado.

By Alireza M

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Jan 11, 2023

Excellent course with very good instructors. The male instructor was slightly better due to his patience and deeper lectures though. It's worth reviewing the materials multiple times even after getting the certificate.

Highly recommended.

By David F

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Oct 30, 2022

Very informative on distributed computing with SQL as well as practical experience with the Community Databricks application. Good addition to accompany the other courses and skills in the UC-Davis specialization.

By POOJA.N. D

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Jul 27, 2020

Well explained course by the trainers and good assignments set by the trainers. I learnt a lot on spark, its architecture and working, which I can use in my several up coming projects. Thank you for the course!

By Anushree C

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May 9, 2021

I would like to thank all the instructors of the course and the Coursera team for preparing such a nice and very well understandable course for beginners.

By William P E O

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Nov 21, 2021

Excelente material, muy concreto y totalmente útil para comprender los conceptos. Los ejercicios son fàciles de comprender y refuerzan el conocimiento recibido en cada módulo.

By oisin d

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Mar 26, 2020

Great course, really well taught and delivered. Only thing I would say is you would really need knowledge of python to really understand this course 100%

By Jose L O T

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Jun 3, 2022

Excelente herramienta Spark SQL me interesa seguir aprendiendo. Mucha facilidad y lo más hermosos es el código siempre bien liviano las operaciones.

By Jumrus R

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Mar 17, 2022

A good introduction to Spark SQL.

A pity that the course assignment was not very challenging but more focused on understanding of Spark itself.

By Nilupa R

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Nov 1, 2020

I loved engaging in this course. It is concise course that teaches more on spark sql and machine learning capabilities in understandable manner.

By Isaac T

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Feb 23, 2020

Great introduction to Spark SQL and ML Flow. I love that they give extra resources if you want to learn more. It was a fun learning journey.

By Metodi S

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Nov 14, 2020

This was one of the best courses I've taken on Coursera. It represents a perfect blend of easy to understand Spark, Python and ML.

By Tommy F

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May 2, 2023

very good, comprehensive instroduction into BIG DATA, Apache SPARK and the Databricks enviroment. Brooke and Conor, Thank you!

By scott j

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Aug 20, 2020

Great course to learn more in depth about Apache Spark. Good instructors and course content. Thanks UC Davis and Coursera!