Re: [Help] Becoming a DBA - where to begin?

Joel Garry wrote:

> > >Backups? Users do that, don't they? :-)
>

Nope. In an Oracle environment, the System or Data Admin does the backups. And the (hopefully infrequent) restores. In most non-Oracle environments I've seen, the no-one does backups because a) the data isn't worth restoring or b) while backups could be taken, nothing in the environment could possibly assist with a restore anyway.

> That is what we call "black humor." It is amusing when observed in a
> cynical light. Like the movie "American Beauty," or most any Dilbert
> cartoon. Often used by those in professions where horrible events
> happen in order to depersonalize the events.
>
> As an Oracle professional I find Oracle horror stories very amusing
> and informative.

I know and concur ... The consistency of the belief that MS SQL Server only requires a part-time semi-DB-knowledgeable programmer to be around for the occasional work confirms the effectiveness of marketing. And it does give me many, many opportunities to go in as a consultant. Nevertheless I do alternate between amused and saddened (and I've been around this stuff since 1984, late Oracle v4.)

> >
> > BTW - is MSSQL the same as Microsoft SQL Server???? I don't remember the name changing.
>
> That's just an abbreviation I used, to avoid the temptation to use
> nastier (and mostly unjustified) descriptions.

Sorry - just my underhanded jab. I am totally sick and tired of people saying 'MS SQL' or just 'SQL' and implying (or even stating) that Microsoft created or owns the SQL language. So I jab at it; sometimes outright, sometimes (too) subtly. I guess everyone needs a hobby. Mine right now seems to be "using a variety of cynicisms to attempt to correct popular misconceptions about MS supremacy." (Just like Don Quixote "tilting at windmills").

/Hans Received on Fri Mar 28 2003 - 16:32:38 CST