Cask Data Application Platform (CDAP) is developer-centric middleware for developing and running Big Data applications. Before you learn how to develop and operate applications, this chapter will explain the concepts and architecture of CDAP.

• Anatomy of a Big Data Application: Explains the areas of concern in developing a Big Data application, and how you use CDAP to address these.

• Modes and Components: Covers the modes and components of CDAP.

• CDAP Abstractions: Describes how CDAP abstractions provide portability by decoupling your data and applications from the underlying infrastructure.

• Programming Interfaces: CDAP interfaces can be described as either Developer or Clients interfaces.

Where to Go Next

Now that you've seen the concepts and the architecture of CDAP, you are ready to start writing an application.

Here are some places to start:

• If you haven't already, go through our Getting Started with Developing, which guides you through the development and the components of a complete web log analytics application;

• The Administrator Guide describes in detail the components of CDAP and how they interact.