RDD vs DataFrame vs Dataset in Apache Spark: Which One Should You Use and Why
Spark offers three main APIs—RDD, DataFrame, and Dataset—each with unique advantages: RDD provides low-level control, DataFrames optimize performance, and Datasets bring type safety.
Both cache() and persist() store an RDD/DataFrame/Dataset in memory (or disk) to avoid recomputation. cache() is shorthand for persist(StorageLevel.MEMORY_ONLY), while persist() offers more control.