This document provides an introduction to big data and Hadoop. It defines big data as large, complex datasets that are difficult to manage and analyze using traditional methods. Hadoop is an open-source software framework used to store and process big data across distributed systems. It includes components like HDFS for scalable storage, MapReduce for parallel processing, Hive for data summarization, and Pig for creating MapReduce programs. The document discusses how Hadoop offers advantages like scalability, ease of use, cost-effectiveness and flexibility for big data processing. It provides examples of Hadoop's real-world use in healthcare, finance, retail and social media. The future of big data and Hadoop is also examined.