Compilers are a great example of taking a very complicated task and breaking it down into simpler (though not necessary simple) steps. Just going through the pr

Compilers are a great example of taking a very complicated task and breaking it down into simpler (though not necessary simple) steps. Just going through the practice of building one might change how you look at other projects you've worked on in the past. And I think the insights you take from designing a compiler translate into data processing as a whole, as other commenters have noted.