Choosing a DBMS to Learn

I would like to gather what DBMS you guys would suggest learning? Oracle, SLQ Server, etc. As a college student I am interested in perusing a career as a production DBA. I have had a class on databases and the topic comes up frequently in other classes/projects. In my database class we learned SQL and used Oracle, primarily working in SQL Plus and just wrote the SQL statements to create tables, run queries etc.

If you could point me in the direction of some good resources and books to learn the DBMS you suggest that would be great. Secondly, if you have any good books to recommend for me to sharpen my SQL skills that would be great. Within SQL I know the basics of making tables, basic queries, sub queries, and joins.

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Comments

powerfool

Oracle seems to pay the big bucks and SQL Server is pretty common. However, I would watch out for these new cloud databases; the model of their operation has flipped things on its head.

RobertKaucher

Hoffer wrote: »

I would like to gather what DBMS you guys would suggest learning? Oracle, SLQ Server, etc. As a college student I am interested in perusing a career as a production DBA. I have had a class on databases and the topic comes up frequently in other classes/projects. In my database class we learned SQL and used Oracle, primarily working in SQL Plus and just wrote the SQL statements to create tables, run queries etc.

If you could point me in the direction of some good resources and books to learn the DBMS you suggest that would be great. Secondly, if you have any good books to recommend for me to sharpen my SQL skills that would be great. Within SQL I know the basics of making tables, basic queries, sub queries, and joins.

Please see the SQL Server forums for more information:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/sql-server-exams/52826-mcitp-dba-2008-resources.html

Hoffer

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Please see the SQL Server forums for more information:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/sql-server-exams/52826-mcitp-dba-2008-resources.html

Would you suggest learning SQL Server over Oracle?

RobertKaucher

Hoffer wrote: »

Would you suggest learning SQL Server over Oracle?

That's just what I work with. You could learn both pretty easily.I think SQL Server is a bit more common place, though, as it is used in most MS enterprise apps like SharePoint, etc. If you already have a good Windows background I would say go with SQL Server and grow into Oracle.

SteveLord

MS SQL Server without a doubt.

N2IT

MS SQL Server or Oracle 11g or whatever the newest one is.

Either of those two you are in good shape.

jdancer

If you are looking for a vendor-neutral database certificate, look at CIW Database Design Specialist

I plan on taking the exam next month.

petedude

I'd say MS SQL is the best choice, but if you're tight for cash go after MySQL certs instead.

Oracle's good, but the prep materials are pricey, the tests are expensive IIRC and there's a long path before you learn enough to really put good letters behind your name.

erpadmin

SQL Server is more common because the licensing for it isn't as ridiculous as Oracle's licensing. Not to mention that you don't need 20 applications (exageration) to manage SQL Server.

It's not even the RDBMS you want to support but also the platform. Are you a UNIX fan? Then you'll want to deal with Oracle. Do you want to support Windows boxes? Then it's SQL Server. You also have other flavors like Sybase (yes boys and girls, it's still out there) and DB2 (IBM).

The most important thing to do is just learn SQL. Syntax can come later.

blargoe

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Please see the SQL Server forums for more information:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/sql-server-exams/52826-mcitp-dba-2008-resources.html

THIS. Robert has done a great job of putting together this list of resources. Follow it.