Introduction to Data on the Internet

This chapter presents information that I am not familiar with, and after reading I still have a lot of learning to do. However, data is something that we can relate to in some way. In high school, online gradebooks list the averages for all assignments. This gave us some data, information, and knowledge of how we were doing compared to my other classmates. We were never given the complete dataset, but all of us knew what the information was. The information we were given did not break down into metadata for a better analysis. It presented on gradebook as a spreadsheet with structured data for all assignments, and the gradebook was just apart from a larger database called skyward. This is really the only kind of example I can produce.

The process of data acquisition, aggregation, anonymization, cleansing, and visualization are all new concepts I intend to become familiar with. Computational skills such as abstraction, decomposition, generalization, pattern recognition, and algorithmic design are also new concepts. I would have to say that I unknowingly have used abstraction and decomposition more than I have thought. I had asked my dad if he ever heard of the fundamental counting theorem, he said no, but after he looked at it, he said I heard of that before but did not know it was called that. Next, I used modularization without realizing. The above grades were inputted; the computer processed them and outputted the average.

I do have some computer programming experience. My computer programming one class in high school had us use C++, and I took a free class at Penn State that used Python. It never stated the three pillars of programming: sequence, selection, and repetition but I assume it was used. We did not reach the stage of parallel processing or data structures. The most basic structure, stack structure, I have used many times with the back and forward buttons on a browser. The queue structure I have also used when printing stuff off the printer. Linked list structure and binary tree structure both used nodes and pointers, but I still need to learn more about them.

Application programming interfaces are rules for writing programs that interact with the data and routines of application. This allows the user interface to help humans interact with the computer. Many of us use this application by ATMs, web browsers, and video devices every day. Many everyday items operate off these principles. Even new versions will use the same interfaces, but it will work better because of the implementation of a better algorithm behind the scenes. Social networks commonly use this practice and update by collecting data by their users. The data collected can be used, sold, traded, and analyzed. This is why it is important for people to read the privacy and data policies when using social networks. A person can set their browser to private browsing but that will not prevent a website from saving your data. To stop your data from being given to other websites a do not track option can be used, but many websites do not support it. I do not have Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram but I am sure TikTok has saved my data.

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