Is web crawling and scraping a must-have skill for data science?

When I refer to web crawling and scraping, I mean applying sophisticated extraction methods across several websites to collect information such as product details and prices. This harvested data can then be used to enhance strategic planning and execute comprehensive business analytics. Do you consider mastering this technique an essential component of a data science portfolio, or is it simply a valuable bonus to round out one’s skill set?

hey, im wondering if a mix of light scraping and using apis might be enough sometimes? i feel like that balance can make data gathering less daunting. anyone here tried that approach with some success? would love to hear more ideas

i think web scraping can be a neat side skill - not always essential though. if you’re dabbling in dealing with messy, unstructured data, it can be a lifesaver. but hey, sometimes simple methods work better when the data is kinda already cleaned up.

Web crawling and scraping have proven to be influential assets in my work, particularly when direct access to comprehensive datasets is limited. They enable the design of tailored solutions to address specific analytic questions. However, despite their utility, these techniques require careful adherence to legal and ethical standards. Integrating them alongside traditional sources can maximize data value, but investment in this skill should be balanced with other core competencies in data science.

In my experience, proficiency in web crawling and scraping can significantly enhance a data scientist’s toolkit. The ability to extract data from diverse sources often leads to unique insights not readily available through structured databases. While not every role requires this expertise, it can be a decisive advantage when standard datasets are insufficient. The techniques involved also encourage a deeper understanding of data integrity and ethical guidelines in digital data extraction, making it both a practical and beneficial skill to have in one’s data science repertoire.

hey, i think while web crawling and scraping can offer unik insights, sometimes alternative methods work just as well! anyone tried mixing these techniques with more traditional data sources? would be cool to learn what schedy you prefer for diff projects.