1.1 Introduction
Big Data is a the generic term for data sets of structured and unstructured data that are extremely large and complex so that the traditional software, algorithm, and data repositories are inadequate to collect, process, analyze, and store the information (Asante-Korang & Jacobs, 2016; Kyoungyoung Jee & Gang Hoon Kim, 2013; Khoury & Ioannidis, 2014; Tan, Gao, & Koch, 2015), has become an intensively studied area in recent years. Cloud Computing is a new paradigm of computing which has evolved in recent times, it’s a platform where hardware and software are delivered to users in a manner that resembles the way utilities such as electricity are delivered to households today (Flanagan, 2002). Cloud computing is an online form of computing where users can access applications via a web-browser, while the application is installed and stored on a data center which comprises several servers.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Several trends are opening up the era of Cloud Computing, which is an Internet-based development and use of computer technology. The ever cheaper and more powerful processors, together with the software as a service (SaaS) computing architecture, are transforming data centers into pools of computing service on a huge scale. The increasing network bandwidth and reliable yet flexible network connections make it even possible that users can now subscribe high quality services from data and software that reside solely on remote data centers.
In the 21st century, Big Data went through a series of evolutionary steps, and software in suitable environment has been developed. With the growth of information exchanges, Big Data has been expanded to a certain scale, not only in its size but also in data technology. In terms of its five main characteristics, volume, variety, velocity, variability, and veracity, state- of-the-art techniques, technologies, and equipment are required to deal with Big Data in correlation analysis, clustering analysis, modeling, prediction, and hypothesis verification. Thus, advanced hardware and software are required for data acquisition, extraction, processing, analysis, and storage. Currently, infrastructure for Big Data includes servers, storage systems, cloud service, and networking equipment. Software for Big Data includes parallel and distributed file systems, retrieval software, and data-mining software (Anderson & Chang, 2015).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Future of Database Management in the Era of Big Data and Cloud Computing.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the processing of large volume of data has exacted numerous challenges. These computing technologies pose a lot of security issues due to the fact that it involves numerous technologies which include networks, databases, operating systems, virtualization, resource allocation, containerization, resource scheduling, transaction management, load balancing, concurrency control, managing contents distribution in a content delivery network (CDN) and memory management. The problem confronting the study is to appraise the future of database management in the era of big data and cloud computing in Nigeria.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to appraise the Future of Database Management in the Era of Big Data and Cloud Computing in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the nature of database management, big data and cloud computing; and
- To determine the future of database management in the era of big data and cloud computing in Nigeria.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the nature of database management, big data and cloud computing?
- What is the future of database management in the era of big data and cloud computing in Nigeria?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: The future of database management in the era of big data and cloud computing in Nigeria is negative.
- H1: The future of database management in the era of big data and cloud computing in Nigeria is positive.
1.7 Significance of Study
The significance of this research will provide relevant data for the effective formulation and implementation of policies to enhance the realization of envisaged objective. This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Future of Database Management in the Era of Big Data and Cloud Computing in Nigeria.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Big Data Defined
Big Data is a the generic term for data sets of structured and unstructured data that are extremely large and complex so that the traditional software, algorithm, and data repositories are inadequate to collect, process, analyze, and store the information.
Cloud Computing Defined
Cloud Computing proffers a type of computing which deliver services through the Internet or network of servers. The objective of Cloud Computing is to utilize computing power to carry out a large pool of instruction per second. Cloud Computing utilizes networks of a large group of servers with specialized connections to disseminate processed data among the servers. The use of cloud computing technologies enables the installation of a single software in a computer which is the host computer and users can log into a web-based service that host all the programs to accessed it.
Private Cloud Defined
It is an approach for designing, implementing and managing servers, applications and data center resources by reducing complexity, increasing standardization and automation, and provide elasticity.
