5 Amazing HBase Use Cases & Real time Applications

Today, in this article “HBase Use Cases and Applications”,  we will learn HBase working first, then we will learn the key areas of HBase. Moreover, in this HBase tutorial, we will see applications of HBase and its example.

In order to use HBase in our applications, we need to know how HBase actually works. Further, we will see some top companies currently using HBase Technology. This will help to understand the concept of HBase more efficiently.

So, let’s start HBase Use cases.

How Does HBase work?

Built on top of Hadoop and HDFS (Hadoop Distributed File System), HBase is a distributed, scalable, and consistent NoSQL database. It adheres to the Bigtable data format and has an architecture that enables real-time random read and write access while handling significant amounts of structured and semi-structured data. Here is a high-level explanation of how HBase functions:

Modelling Data:

Data is arranged by HBase into tables, which are made up of rows and columns. Rows are ordered lexicographically according to their row keys and each row has a unique identification number known as a row key. Each table may have one or more column families, which group similar columns together.

RegionServers and the HBase Master:

An array of RegionServers and a master node make up the HBase architecture. The cluster’s coordination and metadata management are the responsibilities of the master node. It manages duties including allocating regions to RegionServers and keeping track of their wellbeing.

The read and write requests for particular areas of the table’s data are handled by region servers. Multiple regions are managed by each RegionServer.

Distribution of Data:

To spread the data over several RegionServers for load balancing and parallel processing, HBase automatically divides tables into regions. New regions are formed and spread around the cluster as the amount of data increases.

Data Retention:

In HDFS, where each region is implemented as an HFile, a file format designed for quick read and write operations, HBase stores data. The “Write Ahead Log” (WAL) method is one used by HBase to guarantee data longevity. Data is initially written to a log file called the HLog before being written to an HFile. Data can be retrieved from the HLog in the event of failure.

Reading and writing abilities:

Clients submit requests to the relevant RegionServer for read operations depending on the row key. The required row(s) from the related HFile are then retrieved by the RegionServer to fulfil the read request. There are two steps involved in write operations. For durability, the data is first written to the HLog. The information is then written to an in-memory data structure called a MemStore. It is flushed to an HFile on disc when the MemStore is full.

Scalability:

By sharing data among several cluster nodes, HBase is scalable. More nodes can be added to the cluster to fulfil the rising demand as the workload and data size rise.

In general, HBase’s architecture and design allow for large-scale data storage and quick, real-time data access. It is a solid option for applications demanding high-throughput, low-latency data access and processing because of its connection with Hadoop and HDFS.

HBase Use Cases

Before finalizing HBase for our application, here we are listing are some of the key areas, which needs  to be considered, such as:

HBase Use Cases

i. Data volume

It is must process petabytes of data in this distributed environment else it will be a misuse of technology framework. The reason behind this is for a small amount of data, it keeps all other nodes idle, it will be stored and processed in a single node only.

ii. Application Types

While we have a variable schema with slightly different rows and when you are going for a key dependent access to our stored data, we prefer to use HBase.

iii. Hardware Environment

If you have good hardware support, as HDFS works efficiently with a large number of nodes (minimum 5), and HBase runs on top of HDFS, then, HBase can be a right choice.

iv. No requirement of relational features

If we do not need features like transaction, triggers, complex query, complex joins etc. then go for HBase.

v. Quick Access to data

Moreover, while we require random and real-time access to our data, then we can use HBase. Also, for storing large tables with multi-structured data, it is a perfect fit. In addition, for fetching data in a particular instance of time, it gives ‘flashback’ support to queries, which makes it more suitable.

Instead of all, also when we need fault tolerant, fast and usable data management in a non-relational environment, HBase is suitable.

Applications of HBase

There are many applications of HBase. Some of them are:

HBase Applications

i. Medical

In the medical field, HBase is used for the purpose of storing genome sequences and running MapReduce on it, storing the disease history of people or an area, and many others.

ii. Sports

For storing match histories for better analytics and prediction, HBase is used in the sports field as well.

ii. Sports

In order to store user history and preferences, Web also uses HBase for better customer targeting.

iv. Oil and Petroleum

To store exploration data for analysis and predict probable places where oil can be found, we use HBase in the oil and petroleum industry also.

v. E-Commerce

Further, for the purpose of recording and storing logs about customer search history, as well as to perform analytics and then target advertisement for the better business, even e-commerce sector uses HBase.

vi. Other Fields

Moreover, while we need to store petabytes of data and run analysis on it, for which traditional systems may take months, we use HBase.

Companies Using HBase

There are many popular companies using HBase, some of them are:

Companies Using HBase

i. Mozilla

“Mozilla” uses HBase to store all crash data in HBase

ii. Facebook

To store real-time messages, “Facebook” uses HBase storage.

iii. Infolinks

to process advertisement selection and user events for the In-Text ad network, Infolinks uses HBase. It is is an In-Text ad provider company. Moreover,  to optimize ad selection, they use the reports which HBase generates as feedback for their production system.

iv. Twitter

A company like Twitter also runs HBase across its entire Hadoop cluster. For them,  HBase offers a distributed, read/write the backup of all MySQL tables in their production backend. That helps engineers to run MapReduce jobs over the data while maintaining the ability to apply periodic row updates.

v. Yahoo!

One of the most famous companies Yahoo! also uses HBase. There HBase helps to store document fingerprint in order to detect near-duplicates.

So, this was all HBase Use Cases. Hope you like our explanation.

Conclusion: HBase Use Cases and Applications

Hence, we will have seen all the HBase Use Cases and Applications along with the list of popular companies which are using it. Moreover, we saw HBase application examples and when to use HBase. Still, if any doubt regarding HBase Use Cases, ask in the comment tab.