All of our daily lives are now extensively recorded on Databases. Lots of people don't really think about it, but in reality significant amounts of our activities are documented and stored on different 'databases'. 'Databases' retain & provide information on our country's whole economy. Information like share values, bank documents & property records are all indexed upon complex databases, and though plainly we can still get much of this detail on paper, digital records are infinitely simpler and easier to get access to. Your purchase history is registered onto a Database every time you make a payment electronically (i.e. by card). If you've ever wondered why you started getting discount vouchers for pet food from the superstore, the chances are you have been buying some products which demonstrated that you, more than likely, have a dog. The actual DVLAs car registration database is used everywhere; call at a car service area and ask for a part - and they'll be able to tell you the precise model from the auto registration number. The Capital's congestion charging System, and the government's Road Tax avoidance-scheme also take advantage of this information, by working with the road cameras that we all find everywhere.

The primary Database programs used around the world are Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle. The more mature System 'Oracle' can still be seen in quite a few large organisations. Nevertheless, the majority of company databases and more or less all databases on-line have adopted the 'SQL' Server system. Needless to say, as SQL-Server is owned by MS, the organisation has incorporated it into all it's programs & platforms. For those aiming to become vendor qualified then, its the recommended route to take. The earlier Database program Microsoft Certified Database Administrator ('MCDBA') has now been replaced with the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) & the 'Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist' (MCTS). SQL Server 08 is gaining a bit of momentum, but it really is not widely used in the commercial environment yet. Consequently, the MCITP DBA accreditation uses the more popular 'SQL' Server 2005. In order to gain the full 'MCITP' certification, several 'MCTS' modules must be done first.

If its the Development aspect of Databases which is of interest to you, then the MCITP DB Developer from MS is for you. This will cover more of the preliminary rationalisation, design & set up of Databases, but it doesn't seriously extend to full database programming. To get more info on training in database programming, you should refer to the actual Programming part of this site. To tell the truth, there is generally a higher interest in the Administration aspect from both students and employers. However, if the Developer path is for you, it could be practical to add the 'MCITP' DB Developer in to a wider programming training-track. As each year moves on, you might want to additionally look at taking the MCTS certification in 'SQL' Server '08.

Both DBAs & DB-Developers are likely to be exceedingly systematic and orderly men and women, who have an impressive interest in details, & enjoy performing within smaller teams, or alone. First-rate communication-skills can be an advantage, as there'll be frequent interaction with more senior managers. Managing a company's Databases is quite a responsible job - and safety and security is continually transforming into a bigger subject in this field. An excellent standard of personal ethics and professional reliability will be needed - & in some organisations you could be asked for some form of security-clearance. Workers from business & accountancy backgrounds often make first class DBA's, and in many cases the role is a stepping stone to a more senior placement within the business hierarchy.

If you're beginning in this industry, then it could be a good idea to preface your Database study with software-support training. You'll attain some lower-level certifications to get you started, & learn more about associated areas of the industry at the same time. The 'MCDST' ('Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician') might be appropriate in these circumstances. A full track of MCDST, 'MCTS' and MCITP could be expected to be achieved in about five-hundred hours of part-time study, and so its manageable for a year's part time study. Much like any career track though, we advise you to tread carefully before deciding on your options. Take advice from an IT specialist to reassure yourself that you are entering the best training program to suit you, both in terms of learning style and choice of career. If you don't really focus primarily on where you would like to end up, you may find that you're way off track & many hundreds of pounds worse off!

And so, if databases abound & such an important aspect of contemporary life, what sort of job roles can be found? There are 2 key areas if we view 'databases' from the I.T. viewpoint. Designing the software and building the Database is the first area, & managing the information & building reporting systems in order to use the data is the second aspect. Database Administrators are commonly referred to as DBAs, & this particular position is in most demand. Medium size to large corporations have to employ 'DBAs' in order to supervise the every day functions of the 'databases' they are running. They will control the processes that affect the information, including security & backing up, & talk with management to provide reporting - so that the company can utilise that 'intelligence' to perform better. They will also have an understanding of the database 'language' of 'SQL' (Structured Query Language) - pronounced as 'see-quel' - which provides a standardised way of interrogating a Database for the information they require.

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