Data analytics and AI
This glossary contains definitions related to customer data analytics, predictive analytics, data visualization and operational business intelligence. Some definitions explain the meaning of words used to Hadoop and other software tools used in big data analytics. Other definitions are related to the strategies that business intelligence professionals, data scientists, statisticians and data analysts use to make data-driven decisions.
Algorithms
Terms related to procedures or formulas for solving a problem by conducting a sequence of specified actions. In computing, algorithms in the form of mathematical instructions play an important part in search, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
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What is binary and how is it used in computing?
Binary describes a numbering scheme in which there are only two possible values for each digit -- 0 or 1 -- and is the basis for all binary code used in computing systems.
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What is automation bias?
Automation bias is an overreliance by human operators on automated systems, such as computer hardware, software and algorithms, to make decisions, even when the machine-generated output is incorrect or contradicts human judgment.
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What is an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and how does it work?
An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a part of a central processing unit (CPU) that carries out arithmetic and logic operations.
Artificial intelligence
Terms related to artificial intelligence (AI), including definitions about machine learning and words and phrases about training data, algorithms, natural language processing, neural networks and automation.
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What is automated reasoning? How is it used in AI?
Automated reasoning is the area of computer science concerned with applying reasoning in the form of logic to computing systems.
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What is a target function?
A target function, in machine learning, is a mathematical representation of the ideal mapping between supervised learning inputs and outputs.
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What is compliance automation?
Compliance automation, also known as automated compliance, is the practice of using technology -- such as applications with AI features -- to perform and simplify compliance procedures.
Data and data management
Terms related to data, including definitions about data warehousing and words and phrases about data management.
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What is stream processing? Introduction and overview
Stream processing is a data management technique that involves ingesting a continuous data stream to quickly analyze, filter, transform or enhance the data in real time.
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What is data preparation? An in-depth guide
Data preparation is the process of gathering, combining, structuring and organizing data for use in business intelligence, analytics and data science applications, as explained in this guide.
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What is intelligent process automation (IPA)?
Intelligent process automation (IPA) is a combination of technologies used to manage and automate digital processes.
Database management
Terms related to databases, including definitions about relational databases and words and phrases about database management.
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What is a stored procedure?
A stored procedure is a set of Structured Query Language (SQL) statements that multiple programs can reuse and share to perform specific tasks.
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What is data profiling?
Data profiling refers to the process of examining, analyzing, reviewing and summarizing data sets to gain insight into the quality of data.
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What is Active Directory (AD)?
Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft's proprietary directory service that enables network admins to manage users, permissions and their access to networking resources.