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 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.
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What is quantum computing? How it works and examples
Quantum computing is an emerging area of computer science focused on building computers based on the principles of quantum theory to dramatically increase computation speeds.
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What is an initialization vector?
An initialization vector (IV) is an arbitrary number that can be used with a secret key for data encryption to foil cyber attacks.
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 biomedical informatics?
Biomedical informatics is the branch of health informatics that uses data to help clinicians, researchers and scientists improve human health and provide healthcare.
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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.
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What is assistive technology (adaptive technology)?
Assistive technology refers to devices and services that help people with disabilities and long-term health conditions perform a variety of tasks.
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 intelligent process automation (IPA)?
Intelligent process automation (IPA) is a combination of technologies used to manage and automate digital processes.
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What is data transformation? Definition, types and benefits
Data transformation is the process of converting data from one format -- such as a database file, Extensible Markup Language (XML) document or Excel spreadsheet -- into another format.
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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.
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.