One difference in being a dba to most other work (similar to networking though) is that a main part of the job is protecting a company from it's own incompetence.

You will come across people doing ridiculous things which you will have to prevent going live. Always ask why people want things when the make requests.

I have come across all the following attempts to persuade me against changing someones design/architecture.

I've had lots of experience in this and never had a problem.

So the course I went on was a waste of time then.

It's a released product so it must work.

I've been doing this for years.

It doesn't matter if it stops other systems working - that's a support problem.

It has to be put in by the deadline.

It's nothing to do with you.

Just because the overnight job takes 8 days doesn't mean it doesn't work.

Why should I worry about archiving? Sql server is meant to be able to hold terrabytes of data.

Edited by - nigelrivett on 01/02/2002 06:03:27 AM