Re: Why DBA?

"Dino Hsu" <dino1_at_ms1.hinet.net> wrote in message

> Why aren't an DBA necessary for AS/400 packages? Any comments are
> highly appreciated.

Comparing an ISAM/VSAM file system with a database management system, is like comparing bicycle with a 1300cc motorcycle. You can self-service your bicycle. Not a problem.

But try that to a complex and expensive piece of machinery like a Ducatti without having the right knowledge, you will damage it or worse.. damage yourself when you come off the bike because something failed due to improper maintenance.

Do you need such an high-end expensive machine to drive around, when a bicycle did the job in the past? A fair question. And one that you can only answer when looking at the market your company is in, the growth, strategy and so on of the company. Can you compete on a bicycle in a market where most the competitors are using motorbikes?

If you do decide you can not compete and do need a motorbike, you need to make sure that you have the support and maintenance to make that motorbike deliver. Which often means that in the database environment, you need a person to assume DBA responsibilities.

Whether that is a full time position or not, depends on data volumes, complexity of the database design, database usage frequency, the type of availability that is required, and so on. Even if you do not need a full time DBA, you will need someone to take care of the DBA responsibilities, assist with physical database design, performance tuning, db installation, backups, developer support, etc.

Welcome to The Information Age. :-)

--
Billy