Why should I learn data analysis before studying machine learning?

Machine learning depends heavily on data, so understanding data analysis makes it easier to build useful models. Before training a model, you need to understand the dataset, identify missing values, explore patterns and check whether the information is suitable for the task. Students can start with spreadsheets and then explore Python libraries such as pandas and Matplotlib. A small project analysing student marks or monthly expenses is enough to practise the basics. Learning data analysis first can help you understand why a model produces certain results instead of treating it like a black box.