Description

Introduction

kdb+ is a high-performance time-series database widely used in industries such as finance, telecommunications, energy, and IoT for real-time analytics and ultra-fast data processing. Powered by the q language, kdb+ enables organizations to handle massive volumes of structured and streaming data with exceptional speed and efficiency.

This beginner-friendly training provides a solid foundation in kdb+ architecture and installation. Participants will learn how kdb+ works internally, understand its core components, and gain hands-on experience installing and configuring kdb+ across different operating systems. By the end of this course, learners will confidently set up their own kdb+ environment and understand how its architecture supports high-performance data analytics.

Prerequisites

1. Basic understanding of databases (RDBMS or NoSQL)
2. Familiarity with command-line interfaces (Windows/Linux/Mac)
3. Basic programming knowledge (any language)
4. General understanding of client-server architecture
5. Interest in time-series data or real-time analytics

Table of Contents

Module 1: Introduction to kdb+

1. What is kdb+?
2. History and Evolution of kdb+
3. Key Features and Capabilities
4. Use Cases Across Industries
5. kdb+ vs Traditional Databases

Module 2: Understanding kdb+ Architecture

1. Core Architectural Concepts
2. In-Memory vs On-Disk Storage
3. Columnar Database Structure
4. Process-Based Architecture
5. Inter-Process Communication (IPC)
6. Tickerplant Architecture Overview
7. Real-Time Database (RDB)
8. Historical Database (HDB)
9. Gateway and Feed Handlers
10. Scalability and Performance Considerations

Module 3: Environment Setup & Installation

1. System Requirements
2. Supported Operating Systems
3. Downloading kdb+ from KX
4. Installation on:
   1. Windows
   2. Linux
   3. macOS
5. Setting Environment Variables
6. Directory Structure Overview
7. Verifying Installation

Module 4: First Steps with q

1. Launching the q Console
2. Understanding the q Prompt
3. Running Basic Commands
4. Loading Scripts
5. Creating and Saving Tables
6. Simple Queries

Module 5: Working with kdb+ Processes

1. Starting kdb+ with Port Configuration
2. Client-Server Connections
3. Running Multiple Processes
4. Testing IPC Communication
5. Logging and Monitoring Basics

Module 6: Data Storage & Database Structure

1. Splayed Tables
2. Partitioned Databases
3. Creating a Simple HDB
4. Data Loading Techniques
5. Compression and Performance Basics

Module 7: Deployment & Best Practices

1. Basic Deployment Architecture
2. Security Considerations
3. Backup and Recovery Basics
4. Folder Structure Best Practices
5. Common Installation Issues & Troubleshooting