Re: Thanks for the reply

And that is exactly why I prefer being a development DBA. I like the continuing mental challenges. But don't say 'nothing can be automated'. With built-in packages such as DBMS_JOB, DBMS_SMTP, DBMS_PIPE, DBMS_FTP, and UTL_FILE a phenomenal amount of stuff can be automated if one chooses to invest the time and effort.

Daniel Morgan

Justin wrote:

> Daniel,
> I totally agree with you, and that's why I want to be a DBA, instead of a
> programmer, as a programmer, there isn't much stuff to automate, and no
> script will do your programming work, you can have reusable component, but
> it just make your life a bit easier.
>
> Justin
> "Daniel A. Morgan" <damorgan_at_exesolutions.com> wrote in message
> news:3C53E0E8.3001B6F0_at_exesolutions.com...
> > I strongly disagree. A good DBA should have scripts monitoring multiple
 instances that send emails
> > whenever certain metrics are found to be out-of-whack. The backups should
 be automated and the
> > restores never required. And with respect to tuning ... that is certainly
 an ongoing activity. But
> > if it takes 8 hours a day ... there is something very wrong. Likely going
 all the way back to not
> > being involved in the application's development and testing cycle.
> >
> > Daniel Morgan
> >
> >
> >
> > Kevin McDaniel wrote:
> >
> > > Justin,
> > >
> > > If the DBAs you know do nothing but surf the net all day, then they
> > > must not be very good DBAs. Although the list of general
> > > responsibilities for DBAs is rather short, they encompass quite a bit.
> > > For example, I spend the majority of my day working on space
> > > management issues. I prepare reports and conduct research for
> > > upcoming projects that will effect the database. I determine if the
> > > amount of space allocated to the database is sufficient for future
> > > changes, like new product installations, growth rates of existing
> > > applications, etc.
> > >
> > > Besides the normal DBA responsibilities of Backup/Recovery,
> > > Perf/Tuning, the DBAs that I know also work on application development
> > > and tuning.
> > >
> > > Bottom line: there is a lot to being a DBA. The pace may be a little
> > > less than what you're used to now. But don't expect it to be like
> > > that all of the time.
> > >
> > > "Justin" <justin_at_ca.ca> wrote in message
 news:<nfJ48.18402$Ii5.4912179_at_news20.bellglobal.com>...
> > > > Hey, Chris,
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for the reply, I took a look at the STS stuff, looks good
 though
> > > > the price is kind of steep. Do you have any experience with STS ? Do
 you
> > > > think reading oracle's documentation will help, though the volume is
 kind of
> > > > overwhelming.
> > > >
> > > > I'm just curious, the DBAs I know seems just like Sys Admins,
 sitting
> > > > there surfing the net all day, unless someone broke something or
 something
> > > > really bad happend, which doesn't happen that often, while us poor
> > > > programmers have to work day and night at every new feature release,
 which
> > > > is almost every week.
> > > >
> > > > Justin
> > > >
> > > > "Chris Boyle" <cboyle_at_no.spam.hargray.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:a2u70u$dh8d$1_at_news3.infoave.net...
> > > > > I would also skip the OCP CBTs from Oracle. They were the exact
 same
> > > > > quality as Daniel found the book to be. Until Sybex or somebody
 comes out
> > > > > with a book your only choice is class room training. You could get
 the
 STS
> > > > > test. They will help you pass certification.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have never met a DBA that didn't have deadlines to meet and
 recovering a
> > > > > mission critical instance after a disk failure can't be considered
 relaxing.
> > > > > DBA is different than programming but it can be just as stressful
 and
> > > > > taxing.
> > > > >
> > > > > Good luck on the exams.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "Justin" <justin_at_ca.ca> wrote in message
> > > > > news:_Ul48.20204$bu6.3893731_at_news20.bellglobal.com...
> > > > > > Hi, there,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'm thinking about take oracle 9i ocp exam, at least the oca
 part,
 before
> > > > > > looking for a dba job. Been a programmer too long, tired and laid
 off.
 Want
> > > > > > something more relaxing. Hate deadlines.
> > > > > > Any suggestions on what kind of books or online resources for
 the
> > > > > > preparation, oracle 9i is pretty new, you know.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks in advance
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Justin
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> >
Received on Mon Jan 28 2002 - 11:03:16 CET