How To: Become proficient SQL guru?

  • I have been dabbling with MSSQL Server and T-SQL for about two years now. I would like to be at least 50% to 60% as proficient at SQL server as some of you gurus here. I have a timetable set to be at that proficiency point sometime next fall, which is when I plan on beginning my SQL Server certification track.

    Now, I realize that repetition of the mother of mastery and that I have a lot of work ahead of me. Especially since I do not have the chance to use SQL Server to any depth on a daily basis. With all this said, I would like some advice. What methods do ANY of you recommend for broadening and enhancing my skill set over the next year?

    I have a few SQL Server 2000 books by Wrox and read this web site daily. What drills, practices, reading materials, web sites, areas of concentration, and functions should I go through to enhance my SQL Server and T-SQL skills over the next year. Mind you, I am NOT looking for shortcuts, just asking, in your vast amounts of experience, whet areas and methods would my time be best used concentrating on?

    Thank you for the advice!

    Kevin S.

    Kevin S.


    Kevin S.

  • quote:


    Especially since I do not have the chance to use SQL Server to any depth on a daily basis. With all this said, I would like some advice. What methods do ANY of you recommend for broadening and enhancing my skill set over the next year?

    I have a few SQL Server 2000 books by Wrox and read this web site daily. What drills, practices, reading materials, web sites, areas of concentration, and functions should I go through to enhance my SQL Server and T-SQL skills over the next year. Mind you, I am NOT looking for shortcuts, just asking, in your vast amounts of experience, whet areas and methods would my time be best used concentrating on?


    What I think is a massive boost in knowledge is responding to questions here. It is a huge difference to only read the posts and actually reply to.

    Books are also good, but IMHO more as some kind of lookup help.

    What areas?

    It depends....

    I know nothing about replication or clustering, because I have no need to. I have very basic skills only in DTS, just enough to get my jobs done. So it depends on what you like and where you see a need to know more about.

    Frank

    http://www.insidesql.de

    http://www.familienzirkus.de

    --
    Frank Kalis
    Microsoft SQL Server MVP
    Webmaster: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs
    My blog: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs/frankkalis/[/url]

  • Hi Frank,

    quote:


    I have very basic skills only in DTS, just enough to get my jobs done.


    Your modesty knows no bounds

    Far away is close at hand in the images of elsewhere.
    Anon.

  • Honestly, I wish I would have a need to be more in DTS, but I only import and export Excel and csv files and that's very straightforward

    And to add another one, I have little knowledge about hardware related issues.

    As for Kevin:

    Although SQL Server is a great tool and there is more than enough to learn about, it would certainly not hurt to delve into the theory behind DBMS, db design....

    You know, a look over the rim of one's coffee cup is surely not bad at all.

    Frank

    http://www.insidesql.de

    http://www.familienzirkus.de

    --
    Frank Kalis
    Microsoft SQL Server MVP
    Webmaster: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs
    My blog: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs/frankkalis/[/url]

  • I was lucky to have a mentor for almost two years. That helped because he would give me tasks and we would discuss db issues.

    I'm with Frank. I have been (mostly) an application DBA. I don't work with the hardware issues, such as clustering (although I have set up a couple of clusters I don't consider myself an expert). I also have never done replication with SQL Server. I know the theories but that's all.

    Dr. Peter Venkman: Generally you don't see that kind of behavior in a major appliance.

    Patrick

    Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue

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