Data science is an interdisciplinary field that combines statistical analysis, machine learning, and programming to extract insights and knowledge from data. It involves data collection, cleaning, processing, analysis, and visualization to make data-driven decisions. Traditional data analysis primarily focuses on applying statistical methods to summarize and interpret historical data, often using simpler tools and techniques. In contrast, data science employs advanced algorithms and computational methods to handle large, complex datasets, predict future trends, and uncover patterns that traditional methods might miss. It integrates multiple disciplines to provide more comprehensive and actionable insights.