“It’s Diwali! Let’s clean things up!” I believe that every kid in India has heard this. That weekend, just before Diwali, when everyone does all that is get the rooms and the places cleaned!
Well, with the Diwali days just passing by, we believe that you will have a very prominent memory of the entire cleanup ordeal! Well, let us get this interesting by connecting this with Data Cleaning! One of the most important steps regarding anything related to data!
Diwali Dia and Data Illumination
Let us start with the most exciting part! Remember that moment when you accidentally hit upon something years old and not so important anymore? Well, let’s say the receipts from your 2016 purchases! Exactly, those craps that you always wanted to discard but never did…
It’s the same with data. Those “dark data” always remain somewhere in the storage, occupying space and, in the worst-case scenario, creating a bias for your newer data!
So, let us clean them up. What do you suggest? Let's call this Data Illumination! Data Illumination: shedding light on cluttered data to streamline, declutter, and brighten up your data ecosystem.
Now that you know about Data Illumination, one thing that you would come up with definitely is, that its much easier said than done! You might not have touched these dark corners of your data world in decades.
Well, do not worry; there are tons of data audit tools out there that can help you. Get the tools; they will help you recognize the files that you have not accessed in ages. Would you be using them again if you haven’t used something in ages? Well, ask yourself, but we believe mostly you won’t. So, get them cleaned.
Multiple Same Items: Duplicates Create Issues
Well, with that clear, do you remember those three nail cutters you have? Do you need all of them at the same time? We know that for a long time, you have been planning to get rid of them, but somehow, you aren't able to. Just get them to the bin today!
Well, when the same happens to data, we call it data duplication. Like having the same data saved multiple times, just because you couldn’t find the previous data and decided to recreate and download the same data again!
Now lets pledge! Just like you got rid of the nail cutters for making your dressing table messy, lets get rid of these duplicate files to get your data cleaned. All that you really need is the most fresh, updated version. Once again, there are multiple tools which can help you automate the process.
Now that you are done with the things you don’t need and the things that are just too many at your place and you don’t need them all, let us understand what else we can do to be more efficient with our data!
Organized Kitchen To Organized Data
Now the house is cleaned and all that you do not need is out of the bin, the next thing that you do is get your place organized! Surely you know how peaceful it is to have a well-organized table or a completely neat and methodical kitchen.
Why not do it with your data? Get your data segregated; you can choose by type, frequency of use or purpose. Get them labelled well and easily accessible based on your requirements.
Voila! You now have structured data, which will save you tons of time and get you going faster!
Wrap Them Tightly: Better Storage Management
This Diwali, like most others, have you unpacked your tightly wrapped winter clothes? Tightly wrapped and put in the topmost shelf tightly, ensuring they take in the least space and are accessible only during the winter months.
Yes, storage issues, you got it right! Be it the winter wear or the data that you possess, this Diwali, it's all about making sure that they occupy the least space!
When dealing with your data, important ones, necessary ones, not-so-important but good-to-have ones, and many others, if you don’t need them regularly, ZIP them up! It would help reduce the space it takes, and you can quickly pull it out whenever needed!
Well, that is enough learning for one Diwali, we feel! We hope that we have impressed and excited you with our take on Diwali and Data! Please let us know your comments and input on the topic as well as some of the most exciting Diwali stories about you and your family members!
Comments