MapReduce is a programming model for distributed computation on big data sets in parallel. It's a module in the Apache Hadoop open source ecosystem, and a range of queries may be done based on the algorithms available. Here's when it's suitable (and not suitable) to use MapReduce for generating and processing data.

When working with an outside company to develop a new product, there are many things to consider. You need to find a service provider that can make your vision a reality on time and on budget. Here are five questions you should ask prospective service providers to make sure they will be a good fit for what you need.

Some people think a good indication that a piece of work is done is if it's been tested. But by whom, and how? Testing alone doesn’t specifically determine whether you are done—especially when we probably don’t mean the same thing when we all talk about testing. Here are two ways to know when your work is truly done.