Functionality
“It [WolframAlpha] works by using its vast store of expert-level knowledge and algorithms to automatically answer questions, do analysis and generate reports.” (WolframAlpha.com)
WolframAlpha is the ultimate database. It is a quick and easy way to find reliable information, examples, and answers without having to comb through and compare different sources. It provides simple breakdowns and overviews.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Information – Contains vast amounts of information on a multitude of topics
- Credibility – Provides sources and citations for each piece of information
- User-Friendly – Has an easily navigatable website with search capabilities, topic links, and examples
Cons:
- Overview Only – The amount of information provided on each topic varies and can sometimes be somewhat limited (more of an overview than a thorough report).
- Format – The data format and information is not always explained. For example, cost-of-living data is based on a scoring system, but I could not understand the scores because the system was not explained. It provided me only with raw information – no explanation.
Potential
This platform can be used to serve my educational, professional, and personal needs. Educationally, I could use the Statistics section to calculate the basic descriptive statistics for a dataset. Professionally, I could obtain information about a company I am interested in working for (company revenue, number of employees, website rank, etc.). Personally, I could find a nutritional breakdown for foods I am planning on eating. These examples just scratch the surface of WolframAlpha’s potential uses and research capabilities.
Savvy IT 