This book presents the first broad look at the rapidly emerging field of data-intensive science, with the goal of influencing the worldwide scientific and computing research communities and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Increasingly, scientific breakthroughs will be powered by advanced computing capabilities that help researchers manipulate and explore massive datasets. The speed at which any given scientific discipline advances will depend on how well its researchers collaborate with one another, and with technologists, in areas of eScience such as databases, workflow management, visualization, and cloud-computing technologies. This collection of essays expands on the vision of pioneering computer scientist Jim Gray for a new, fourth paradigm of discovery based on data-intensive science and offers insights into how it can be fully realized.

What is SprawlBall? The recent change in the NBA isn’t from large ball to smallball. It’s from large ball to sprawlball. Many of the most powerful areas on the court are now sprawling out from the interior, decorating the edges. And the men who thrive there are now the game’s most powerful players… Sprawlball explores the past, present, and future of a league in transition and attempts to capture the nature of this surreal time in the NBA.