March 1, 2002 at 10:41 pm
#1. Can people make a living on DBA, Achitect, engineer, etc?
#2. What are the fundamentals of Database?(mainly SQL, sometime people don't know what the heck this is but still they got the job and flowing around)
#3. What is the most popular SQL server? Is it Oracle, Sybase, Inres, IBM, MYSQL or something else? Which is the best platform?
#4. I am currently in college, is it a good idea to shoot for Oracle since they teach it at my school?
#5. I am seeking your professional advices, you don't have to answer all of them, just give me a picture how the elephant look like since i am blind-folded.
Edited by - harrywwh on 03/01/2002 10:45:28 PM
March 2, 2002 at 5:42 am
Yes, you can make a pretty good living in the database business. Couldnt say for which is most popular, most of us visiting this site obviously use SQL Server and like the product. I think you'd be ill advised to select Oracle or any other database at this time - you don't enough about each to know if you're making a good decision AND you don't know enough about the profession to decide yet either.
I'd suggest looking for an internship first so you have a chance to see where exactly your interests and talents are.
Andy
March 2, 2002 at 6:25 pm
1) Yes, but you should also have other knowledge in programming so that you understand what people are doing to your database and OS to understand how your files and SQL runs in its evironment.
2) Too many to go thru, but there are several books and websites dedicated to that on the basic level (which is what all systems have in common) that you should dig thru.
3) I believe the largest market is still Oracle due to UNIXs capability to scale (handles more processors and RAM than NT) however on benchmark SQL Server tends to out perform and once 64bit Windows becomes available this may change if businesses start looking closely at cost savings with SQL Server. However, I have noticed Oracle has been restructuring their policies to be more competitive for the future.
4) Most likely you will work in a mixed, Oracle , or MS SQL Server environment. Yes Oracle will at least for the foreseeable future be benneficial to you.
5) Large and grey and pi***d off since your first shot missed.
"Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)
March 2, 2002 at 8:00 pm
I'm making enough to comfortably support a family of six and am confident I'll get a raise in May. And I've only been working with databases for about 3 years.
If you're main interest is to earn as much money as possible then I think Oracle is the database of choice to learn. I am an SQL programmer and enjoy developing with SQL Server. I only know SQL Server and have never worked with other databases. I wouldn't mind learning Oracle but don't think I'd ever want to stop using SQL Server.
Robert Marda
Robert W. Marda
Billing and OSS Specialist - SQL Programmer
MCL Systems
March 4, 2002 at 10:20 am
Been working with SQL for ten years. You can make a living, of course, you can do that in most any area. I live in Denver and commented on the situation here:
Regarding your questions:
1. Yes
2. This is a tough one because it encompasses so many things. Look here for some info:http://qa.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/bknight/dbaroles.asp
A DBA is responsible for the storage, integrity, and quality of data. Of course, others affect this, but your job to to try and insure the db works as smoothly, reliable as possible and provides accurate data. Data modeling, app design, networking, security, backups, etc. all fall in here.
3. Probably debatable. Used to be DB2, ran on mainframes to pcs. Oracle is widely popular and SQL Server is gaining. Of course, MySQL is growing for small sites and personal use, along with Access, so it's tough. For a job, I'd say Oracle, SLQ Server and DB/2 are best bets.
4. If you can learn it, do it. It won't hurt.
5. Check this out:http://qa.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones/thedbadotcombust.asp. I'm getting ready to update this again now.
Steve Jones
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March 13, 2002 at 9:15 am
Yes, you can make a good living working with databases. I found that it helped having been a developer for 5+ years. It also helps in knowing the OS you are working with very well. I think Oracle is big, especially for bigger businesses. SQL Server seems more cost effective for small-medium sized companies.
I am both a SQL Server DBA (2years) and Oracle DBA (4+years). Find the right company and you don't have to choose just one database to work with.
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