Most Basic SQL exam?

NavyIT

I need to learn the fundamentals of SQL because it is going to be part of a project that I will be working on here in the near future. Most of the sites still use SQL 2008. Would it be worth learning 2012 or is there too much difference? Where should I start? And, when I'm ready, what is the most basic SQL exam that Microsoft offers? Thanks!

RobertKaucher

The most basic exam is the 461; which focuses on querying. The T-SQL language is fundamentally unchanged from 2005 to 2012. I guess really one could say from 2000 to 2012. So long as you learn what is an addition to the product in 2012 you should be very easily able to apply knowledge from the exam to working on SQL Server 2008.

NavyIT

Thanks, Robert. In addition to my first post, does anyone know of where I can get some hands-on practice for free with SQL? Something I can load onto a VM?

NotHackingYou

SQL Fiddle or you can download SQL Server express for free

NotHackingYou

Do you mean that you need to learn SQL the language or about SQL Server the software? The two are intertwined but also not the same. A DBA will need to know at least some SQL but will need to know how SQL Server works (at an administration level). A SQL developer will need to know a lot of SQL and very little about administrating SQL Server.

Depending on your needs, there may be a better resource/exam.

NavyIT

I think more administering. I wont actually need to know much of the language.

N2IT

Navy while it's nice to know I agree. Especially MS it's mainly point and click. Back in the day not so much, but now everything is so GUI driven you can get away with knowing very little SQL. In UX the interfaces aren't so flexible so I would disagree in that environment.

NavyIT

Basically what I'll be doing is verifying settings and will need to know how to mitigate risks based on a set of standards that the DoD has put in place. An example of one of the checks would be:

Rule Title: A DBMS providing remote access capabilities must utilize approved cryptography to protect the integrity of remote access sessions.

Checks:

1. Review database settings to determine if database is configured to accept remote connections. If the database is not configured to accept remote connections, this is NA.
2. Check database settings to determine whether the data for remote connections is being encrypted with organization defined cryptography. If data for remote connections is not being encrypted with approved cryptography, this is a finding.

Based on this I think I’ll need to just know my way around MSSQL and know the basics of administration. For this, what book would you guys recommend to get started with? Thanks.

NavyIT

Also, know that I will not need to be an expert on this by any means. I'll be performing checks like this for all sorts of systems including Active Directory, SCCM, Cisco routers and switches, HBSS, Microsoft IIS, etc. The team I'm on just said they are weak on MSSQL knowledge so that's why I'm trying to brush up on it.

N2IT

Sounds like a great opportunity. Good luck!

NotHackingYou

In that case, you need the most basic SQL Server exam. Check out the MTA exam for SQL Server at: Database Fundamentals | Microsoft

RobertKaucher

He likely won't be eligible for an MTA exam. Aren't those academic only?

NotHackingYou

Not anymore

RobertKaucher

And it looks like they qualify for second shot. That's awesome news!

N2IT

I actually may look into this one. 433 really pounded me hard I think I was 100+ points shy of passing. This maybe more my speed. Thoughts?

NotHackingYou

I found the official study material pretty good. The exam was cake if you studied and understood the material.

N2IT

Carl that's great! Do you think the certification is okay to list on your resume or is it laughable? I ask because I don't know my friend. Also just being nosey how were the other ones Dev and Web?

NotHackingYou

Personally, I think all three are great foundationalexams. I would have no issue listing them on my resume if I were interested in changing jobs at this time.

Of the MTA's I have taken Database, Software development, Web Development, Windows OS and Server OS. In every case, I learned at least a few things from the study material and found it to cover quite a bit of ground given that the books are so short (less than 400 pages, if I recall correctly). The exams, IMO are fairly easy in all cases, as long as you covered all of the material. These do still pick up some of the edge-case type features that maybe your everyday IT pro does not run in to and in that regard, they hold value for me.

N2IT

Thanks for the great information. You know me well enough to know that I am lazy when it comes to certifications, I give so much at work I just don't have the drive HOWEVER I like the idea of this certification because it sounds like it will keep me focused and allow me to add to my resume. Not to mention my role is database heavy however I have been pulled away recently and will continue to be pulled away for the next 4 - 6 weeks then its back to working mostly out of SSMS. I've spoke to a few of our developers and they willing to assist with stored procedures etc. MTA Database it is!

petedude

Surprised no one else mentioned these:

-- CIW Database Specialist (no, stop groaning, WGU grads)
-- Oracle MySQL 5 Certified Associate (just took this today) Yes, there are cheap betas available from Oracle for newer exams, but I had the materials.

I see increasing numbers of job postings that want basic SQL and many network management products use SQL (e.g. SCCM). so it seems a good skill to have in the toolbelt.

N2IT

How was the Oracle exam?

NotHackingYou

I have also done the CIW Database specialist - but this is more geared toward database design. I feel the OP would get more value out the MTA because he needs to administrate SQL Server. I can say that the I also liked the study material for the CIW database design.