June 27, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I've been in Quality for awhile now and would like to get into dba. I've scoured the bookstore and amazon for books, but still unsure of which one to get.
What would you recommend to someone that would like to learn from the ground up? I know this is a lot to ask, but if you were to advice yourself when you were starting out, what would it be?
How important are certifications in this field?
Books? Sites?
Thank you
June 27, 2010 at 4:53 pm
1- Get some background in relational theory, C. J. Date may be a good start.
2- At the same time build a home lab a.k.a. install SQL Server in a home computer.
3- Start reading Books On Line a.k.a. BOL - which comes with SQL Server
4- Research a couple of the questions you find in this forum each single day - try to answer by yourself and check what more senior people are saying.
After six month, if you still feel this is for you - post again 😉
_____________________________________
Pablo (Paul) Berzukov
Author of Understanding Database Administration available at Amazon and other bookstores.
Disclaimer: Advice is provided to the best of my knowledge but no implicit or explicit warranties are provided. Since the advisor explicitly encourages testing any and all suggestions on a test non-production environment advisor should not held liable or responsible for any actions taken based on the given advice.June 28, 2010 at 7:06 am
I'll add to start reading some blogs:
Both of the sites above also have archived webcasts that are a great tool. Also you can find the next available SQLSaturday near you.
Finally I'll recommend a couple of books. I won SQL Server 2008 Step by Step by Mike Hotek in a raffle at SQL Saturday in Atlanta. It's an easy read and a good starting point. I'm currently reading SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting now to learn more about the inner workings of SQL Server.
June 28, 2010 at 8:41 am
I'd check out Craig Mullins book Database Administration. It's not so much a "how-to" manual but a "what kind of job are you looking for" manual. It's pretty technology agnostic and really just covers what the job entails. I'd suggest reading it because it can let you know what to expect when performing the job, which will tell you what you should study.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt
Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning
June 28, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Get and read Tom LaRock's book, DBA Survivor[/url]. It will give you a 'ground up' view of what being a DBA means, and will help you decide if that's the job for you. I bought it for just that reason, and was not disappointed (plus, you can apply the basic tenets of his advice to pretty much any job).
Plus, you don't need any database theory, technical knowledge to really understand what he's telling you. Although if you don't have that, you'll definitely need it before you 'arrive' at your desired job.
hope that helps,
Jon
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How best to post your question[/url]
How to post performance problems[/url]
Tally Table:What it is and how it replaces a loop[/url]
"stewsterl 80804 (10/16/2009)I guess when you stop and try to understand the solution provided you not only learn, but save yourself some headaches when you need to make any slight changes."
June 28, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I think most of the general SQL books are about the same. I might start with one of those, then move on to specific areas you are working on.
Database Weekly (our newsletter over the weekend) covers lots of blogs and can help as well.
July 13, 2010 at 9:28 am
Believe it or not but Microsoft's SQL server Books On Line (BOL) is very good too! If you don't have you can view it online or download it.
I think a must in your library is the Microsoft Press Administrator's Guide. Good to have around for a quick off line look up on the task or command you want to use.
The other great resource is right here, where you will learn a lot and get help too.
Rudy
July 13, 2010 at 4:50 pm
In my opinion, Michael Hotek's MicroSoft SQL Server 2008 -- Implementation and Maintenance is a good place to start. It is comprehensive and touches on everything. From there you can seek out additional materials to expand and fill in knowledge by going to Brent Ozar, Dave Pinal, Kimberly Tripp, Simple-Talk sites. Brent Ozar also makes books recommendations for DBA at each level of experiences.
In my opinion a good reference book like Michael Hotek's, while not infallible ofcourse, because sometimes the explanation doesn't resonate with me, is a great start because it tells you what you should know.
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