Applying machine learning algorithms to subset of attributes in dataframe
Applying a machine learning algorithm on only a subset of the data and including other subsets later does not allow the algorithm to assess the importance of each attribute equally. 

For example, say you have a data set called A, which has subsets B and C. Without loss of genearality, if you fit a model ('apply an algorithm') on subset B, and then include subset C later, then you're saying 'given subset B is already in the model, assess the impact of including subset C'. Instead, if you apply the entire algorithm on the entire data set (A), then you're allowing the algorithm to discover which features are most important for the desired outcome.

That being said, it may be wise to process the different elements of your data set differently. That is, categorical covariates may be modelled differently from continuous covariates. If you're using something like a feed-forward neural network, then it's not a big deal, but if you're using a more traditional statistical model you may need to take that into account. For example, in R, you need to specify that a categorical covariate is in fact a 'factor' variable.