Apache Spark Certification Practice Test

The default mode of operation in Apache Spark is local mode. This mode is used primarily for development and testing. In local mode, Spark runs on a single machine, which means that it creates a local Spark context that can be used to execute Spark jobs on the local machine without needing a cluster setup. This makes it easier for developers to test their code quickly without worrying about cluster configuration, resource allocation, or network issues.

When Spark is run in local mode, it can utilize the available cores of the local machine, enabling parallel processing within that single node environment. This is particularly useful for debugging and rapid development cycles where a full cluster would introduce unnecessary complexity.

In contrast, cluster, standalone, and YARN modes are designed for distributed processing across multiple nodes, which is not necessary during initial development and testing phases. The other modes require cluster configuration and resource management, which can be more complex and time-consuming to set up compared to local mode.