What Does a DBA Do?

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What Does a DBA Do?

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Eric M Russell SSC Guru Points: 125524 More actions · Answer 1

One downside of being a DBA is that we don't have interesting narratives to tell at the dinner table or at social gathering. Lawyers, school teachers, even truck drivers have interesting narratives, but nobody outside IT cares about the drama that goes on in the server room. From 9am - 5pm we're mostly isolated from the concerns of the outside world.

"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho

jeff.mason SSCrazy Eights Points: 9585 More actions · Answer 2

Eric M Russell (5/4/2016)
One downside of being a DBA is that we don't have interesting narratives to tell at the dinner table or at social gathering. Lawyers, school teachers, even truck drivers have interesting narratives, but nobody outside IT cares about the drama that goes on in the server room. From 9am - 5pm we're mostly isolated from the concerns of the outside world.

"What did you today, honey? [and don't tell me anything technical]"

"Uh, nothing interesting....."

jim.giercyk Valued Member Points: 70 More actions · Answer 3

Perhaps, but a DBA will always have to most bytes at a dinner party. 😛

FunkyDexter Hall of Fame Points: 3907 More actions · Answer 4

...and they'll always be able to find a table to join

jim.giercyk Valued Member Points: 70 More actions · Answer 5

FunkyDexter (5/4/2016)
...and they'll always be able to find a table to join

OUCH!

Eric M Russell SSC Guru Points: 125524 More actions · Answer 6

jeff.mason (5/4/2016)
"What did you today, honey? [and don't tell me anything technical]"
"Uh, nothing interesting....."

When family members ask your how our day went or express some interest in what we do for a living, it's important to give them something. Considering our odd working hours and fat paychecks, if we simply evade their questioning or reply with cryptic responses, then they'll most likely come to the conclusion that we're probably a drug dealer or spy.

"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho

jay-h SSCoach Points: 18816 More actions · Answer 7

It depends largely on the organization. Sometimes we wear a number of database related hats, in some organizations it would be highly siloed.

Interestingly in our organization we have one largish SQL database which is the back end for a complex BI application. In this case I am the DBA for the SQL server level, but there is another person who is the DBA for the BI data (including the arcane collection of business rules that feed the BI). Her 'database' is the highly dimensional structure and all the daily feeds in and out. My 'database' is the SQL server level machinery that sits underneath it. We need to work closely because neither one of us has a deep understanding of what goes on the other's world.

...

-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --

Yet Another DBA SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4299 More actions · Answer 8

Ed Wagner (5/4/2016)
sdelachapelle (5/4/2016)
Do Basically Anything 😀
Default Blame Accepter.

Does Bugger All

Devils Bloody Advocate

Andy Warren SSC Guru Points: 119902 More actions · Answer 9

I wonder if being considered a spy make just be the right way to go! What do you do? Ah, well, I can't really talk about it.

Andy
SQLAndy - My Blog!
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ZZartin SSC-Dedicated Points: 30900 More actions · Answer 10

Iwas Bornready (5/3/2016)
Andy Warren (5/3/2016)
Gary, the interesting part for me is that people ask a developer "what are you working on?" and they ask me "what do you do?". Both are about getting to know someone, but the questions come across differently (though I may be biased!).
A developer (or programmer) makes the things people see on the screen. So they know what they do, just not what they are doing today. But a Data Base Administrator administrates. That makes no sense. Heck, I want to know what a DBA does. 😉

If you're ever forced to find out what a DBA does someone messed up somewhere 😛

shoestringdba SSCertifiable Points: 6226 More actions · Answer 11

My job is to make sure my customers - be they internal or external - have the data they need when they need it to be successful in their job.

____________
Just my $0.02 from over here in the cheap seats of the peanut gallery - please adjust for inflation and/or your local currency.

Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 12

Eric M Russell (5/4/2016)
...they'll most likely come to the conclusion that we're probably a drug dealer or spy.

Tried pretending that I was a spy...the family didn't buy it.

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

xsevensinzx One Orange Chip Points: 25560 More actions · Answer 13

I've been interviewing for some new DBA positions. I've asked every single hiring manager and senior DBA what the DBA does at their organization. It's not because I don't know in general what we do, it's because there is no standard. I use the opportunity to hear what they say and formulate my own opinion.

shaneoneillis SSCommitted Points: 1750 More actions · Answer 14

Yet Another DBA (5/4/2016)
Ed Wagner (5/4/2016)
sdelachapelle (5/4/2016)
Do Basically Anything 😀
Default Blame Accepter.
Does Bugger All
Devils Bloody Advocate

Don't Bother Asking

- heard from Developers 😛

Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 15

shaneoneillis (5/5/2016)
Yet Another DBA (5/4/2016)
Ed Wagner (5/4/2016)
sdelachapelle (5/4/2016)
Do Basically Anything 😀
Default Blame Accepter.
Does Bugger All
Devils Bloody Advocate
Don't Bother Asking
- heard from Developers 😛

Definitely Bring Alcohol

- heard from DBAs everywhere :w00t:^*

_{*Not all DBAs drink alcohol.}

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!