From the technical chain of big data, data analysis is an important part and the core link of big data value, so many people also understand big data as data analysis. Although data analysis is more important, in the era of big data, learning data analysis also requires mastering a series of big data technologies, including big data platform knowledge, statistical knowledge and machine learning knowledge.

From the perspective of job division, the current jobs in the field of big data are mainly concentrated in three areas, namely, big data development post, big data analysis post and big data operation and maintenance post. At present, the talent gap of big data development posts is relatively large, so many graduate students in the direction of big data will also choose development posts. Although there are many big data analysis posts, job competition is still fierce, and many doctoral students prefer to choose analysis posts (algorithm posts).

From the perspective of knowledge structure, there is still a difference between learning big data analysis and learning big data development. Big data development focuses on programming ability, and data analysis focuses on the learning and application of algorithm knowledge. At present, many teams also require algorithm engineer to have certain programming ability.

Finally, the analysis of learning data requires a higher mathematical foundation. If the mathematical foundation is weak, we can consider the development direction and operation and maintenance direction.