Skills required to be a good DBA?

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Hi there,

I'm currently in the process of teaching myself SQL using a MySQL database, submitting queries from the DOS-Prompt.

I'm thoroughly enjoying it and it's something that I could definitely see myself doing as a career in the future. However, a quick Google search teaches me that mastering SQL alone is not enough to land you a Junior DBA type role; proficiency in web technologies (JavaScript, PHP, HTML, ASP) and good networking skills are also highly desirable.

Are there any DBA's on the forums? And what would you say are the key, fundemental skills that are budding DBA should look to aquire? I'd be grateful if you could tell me about your journey of how you got to where you are today.

Thanks in advance,

Alex

 

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I use to have a vast interest in systems and especially databases and from what I have gathered a basic programming language is very useful.

Programming languages like ASP, .Net, Java script and Vb are some of the useful almost must have programming languages required.

 

Thanks Onoski.

Which of the aforementioned languages would you say is the most highly sought after currently? Am I right in thinking that ASP's not as prevelant as it once was... and that it's maybe worth discounting that one? .NET's in common use today and VB still has its place.

Is it worth also learning a language such as Java, C++ or C#?

 

I was a DBA for two years. I don't know **** about programming. It isn't necessary if you just want to be a DBA (though understanding how techologies like ODBC and ADO work can be helpful)

 

Hi Alex,

I think if you can then Java and C# or C++ is are good languages to learn as this would give you a big edge. Best wishes in whichever you decide

 

OK, that's helpful... thanks.

So in a typical day what tasks would you be expected to undertake?

 

C# seems to be very popular at the moment. I think after Christmas I'll look to invest in a decent book.

 

Maintain backups, ensure indexes are OK, perform ad-hoc queries, DTL (data extracts & tranformations), maybe log shipping/clustering, working with product development by using staging/deployment environments that mirror production to test new systems or functionality, designing/improving transaction processing (stored procedures etc), using Business Intelligence systems for reporting, perhaps designing and implementing new databases etc.

Bear in mind that a good DBA will understand relational theory (normalisation) very well and, whilst they will understand all the elements that make up what people consider to be a 'database' will specialise in one particular RDBMS (Oracle, SQL Server, Postgres, MySQL etc)

 

Right, just as I thought, though I wouldn't have been able to word it as well as you have! For now I think it's worth me just concentrating on mastering SQL and one of the RDBMS. There's a lot to learn and I think that learning C# in addition at this stage might be too much.

Zeb, again, thanks. Rep given.

 

Hey - no probs. If Crit ever stops by again he can give you a better idea of what a 'modern world' DBA does... My experience is a good five years out of date!

 

Hi Alex,
it is nice to learn that your DBA ambitions are similar to mine. Iam not yet a certified DBA (less one certifiaction), but a practising DBA!!!!. I have also learnt over previous certifications and work experience, that yes, you need basically the skills, experience and motivation in:1. relational database management software- RDBMS (for both design/ implementation and administration); 2. operating system management (the server system that hosts the RDBMS) or the server network environment (for systems that shall be tiered- the database server doesnot reside with the client). these are the core requirements for a DBA certification. however a good DBA needs a through and wide understanding of the specialist areas like scripting for data query designs, mailing/ messaging systems for management of data tranfer, in addition to what my colleagues have said above- like ADO,ODBC etc
gochieng

 

OK, thanks for that mate. Let the learning commence!

 

Having done Helpdesk and Desktop Support I hope that I've already acquired those skills! Point taken though Ken, thanks.