July 11, 2006 at 7:44 am
Hello all. I'm giving serious thought on changing gears withing the IT world. For several years I have been a software developer who has been fortunate enough to have been involved in the needed databases. From just sketching out tables for the DBA to doing the database from the ground up and maintaining it during production. Along the way I've known that I didn't do as quality of a job as a knowledgeable DBA would do but given the situations I made do just fine.
I am considering switching gears to the database side only, coding as secondary. Since I am basically familier with most aspects of SQL Server in a general way, I am looking to take that knowledge and become a "Professional". What I am looking for is a few books to help out. Maybe a "Become a DBA for Software Developers" or something. I know that mining these and other forums are very valuble but I'd like some other training materials as well.
Have I been clear enough on what I am looking for? I don't quite feel like I have.
Basically, what would you recommend for a good software developer who is looking on switching to becoming a good database person?
I'd like to stay in SQL Server for now, since that is what they use here and it would give me an opportunity to practice.
Also, do you see value in the studying process for certifications in this area?
July 11, 2006 at 10:31 am
I take both DBA and Programmer contracts because I do data as ANSI SQL and relational Algebra. I write ANSI SQL, Java in the past and was converted to C# by Microsoft and also OOAD(object oriented analysis and design). I am also MCDBA and MCSE certified which lets employers know my knowledge of the Microsoft database platform and infrastructure. I read Joe Celko, Peter Gulutzan and Chris Date, the later writes only relational Algebra and not SQL. The SQL Server books I read are by Ken Henderson and Ken England.
In SQL Server the best book remains the product documentation. The reason I do ANSI SQL and relational Algebra is I just ask how did Microsoft implement this or Oracle or IBM. I have not used IBM for a while but use Oracle and SQL Server all the time. My advice get certified in SQL Server because it will increase your knowledge of the product and Microsoft infrastructure. My current project is .NET lab informatics using ORM(object relational mapping) with Oracle on the Algebra end and SQL Server 2005 on the Calculus end and I am a Programmer Analyst doing design now but will write code when the designs are approved. Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Gift Peddie
Kind regards,
Gift Peddie
July 11, 2006 at 11:21 am
Thanks for the informative post. I'd like to hear more about why you are studying relational algebra. I know the base thoughts behind it and such but what benefit do you get from studying it ongoing? I read why you said you do it but could you expand?
July 11, 2006 at 11:43 am
Let me use my current project as an example, some of my reports uses complex time components the reason we use Oracle on the Algebra end of the project because Oracle is one of the RDBMS(relational database management systems) with ANSI SQL Time Interval implemented by doing relational Algebra I know when requirement is not valid or it needs to be modifed to get the expected results. The relational Algebra makes what I do very easy to understand and also makes it very hard for others to understand. You can do both SQL Server and Oracle but still don't understand what I do without relational Algebra. There are things I cannot post here due to my confidential agreement with my employer but if I am given things that look normal to other developers I can tell you it is invalid. Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Gift Peddie
Kind regards,
Gift Peddie
July 11, 2006 at 12:26 pm
Yes that helps. So basically since you understand the foundations of why the RDBMS does what it does, it allows you to make informed critical decisions.
July 11, 2006 at 12:54 pm
That is correct but Joe Celko will make you understand it almost easy and Peter Gulutzan is also readable but Chris Date is very dry but very eye opening of the whys in RDBMS(relational database management systems). So just install SQL Server either the developer edition which is enterprise edition with no deployment restrictions or the eval version and have fun.
Kind regards,
Gift Peddie
Kind regards,
Gift Peddie
July 11, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Thanks for your replies. I will check out those books later tonight and make a purchase.
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