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Businesses need data experts who can build secure systems to process real-time information from multiple sources. Apache Flink powers this infrastructure. Learn Flink with online courses delivered through edX.

What is Flink?

Apache Flink is an open-source framework for large-scale stream processing that can write, read, and consume data from processing systems. All data can be seen as a stream of events, such as clicks, transactions, or logs.

Unbounded streams have no defined end and must be continuously processed. Flink provides a framework to process this kind of data and run applications at any scale. It can also handle bounded streams, which have a defined end point and are processed in batch streaming.1

Apache Flink also features two relational APIs: the Table API and SQL. With the Table API, you can compose data queries for both data analytics and data pipelining, as well as extract, transform, and load processes. With Flink SQL, you can implement a standard, structured query language for storing and processing information in a relational database, whether you’re using a streaming or batch query. There are a number of other APIs via Apache Flink that can help you build scalable workloads in data analysis and machine learning. For instance, PyFlink Table makes it simpler to write powerful relational queries. Also, Flink Python’s DataStream API lets you control Flink building blocks, like state and time, to build more complex stream processing cases.2

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Apache Flink tutorial curriculum

While an Apache Fink tutorial can be a focused way of learning, a standalone Apache Fink course may be difficult to find. However, instruction on stream processing with Apache Flink can be part of a larger “big data” or data engineering curriculum.

In these kinds of courses, learners may spend time on some of the following topics:

  • Understanding challenges businesses face given the upsurge of data

  • Using ETL (extract, transform, load) tools

  • Managing data pipelines

  • Processing large-scale data streams

  • Querying data streams

  • Creating machine learning models with streaming frameworks

It could be helpful to have a basic understanding of Python or Java programming before getting started with Apache Flink. Other skill areas that could make learning the stream processing service easier include, basic statistics, SQL, and business intelligence analytics.

Jobs that use Apache Flink

With Apache Flink processing skills in your wheelhouse, you could be qualified for a variety of different jobs, such as:

  • Data scientist: Builds machine learning and automation systems to leverage data.3

  • Software engineer: Develops back-end solutions to improve user experience.4

  • Database administrator or data engineer: Migrates and converts cross-platform data.5

For learners interested in advancing their knowledge of the field, edX offers a variety of educational pathways, including specialized boot camps, full programs that enable you to earn a bachelor's degree or pursue a master’s degree. Find the right course for you.

How to conduct stream processing with Apache Flink

Today’s data scientists are handling real-time data from web activity, internet of things (IoT) devices, financial service transactions, and location-based tracking feeds. Stream processors like Apache Flink provide an open-source framework for creating stateful, fault-tolerant stream processing at scale, and providing immediate insights.

Once you install Apache Flink, you can begin using Flink’s DataStream API to stream and filter data inputs. You will need to select a deployment mode: Local, Cluster, or Cloud. From there, learners could implement basic operations on streaming data, or start incorporating multiple stream sources.6

If you are interested in adding new skills to your resume, explore how online learning opportunities such as a data analytics boot camp or even a bachelor’s degree in data science can help you build the expertise and experience you need to pursue roles in this field.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What Is Apache Flink? — Architecture. Apache Flink. Retrieved March 9, 2023

    2. Table API & SQL. (2023). Apache Flink. Retrieved January 23, 2023

    3. What Data Scientists Do. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved March 9, 2023

    4. What Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers Do. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved March 9, 2023

    5. What Database Administrators and Architects Do. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved March 9, 2023

    6. Intro to the DataStream API. Apache Flink. Retrieved March 9, 2023