What is a Database?

A database is an integrated collection of logically related records or files consolidated into a common pool that provides data for one or more multiple users. To manage database you need to know the database management systems (DBMS). Now the question arises,

What is DBMS?

A database management system (DBMS) consists of software that organizes the storage of data. A DBMS controls the creation, maintenance, and use of the database storage structures of organizations and of their end users. It allows organizations to place control of organization-wide database development in the hands of Database Administrators (DBAs) and other specialists. In large systems, a DBMS allows users and other software to store and retrieve data in a structured way.
Most of the databases these days uses Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) i.e. data is stored in the database in the form of different tables and these tables are related to each other in the certain way hence called ‘Relational DBMS’.Here are some few databases which use RDBMS.
• ORACLE
• Sybase
• IBM DB2
• SQL Server
• My SQL
• Teradata
• InGrace etc.

To get the access to the data from any of these databases one need to learn only one Language known as Structured Query Language i.e.SQL which is standardized by American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

What is ORACLE?

Oracle Corporation is a software company specializes in developing and marketing enterprise software products — particularly database management systems. Through organic growth and a number of high-profile acquisitions, Oracle enlarged its share of the software market. By 2007 Oracle had the third-largest software revenue, after Microsoft and IBM. The products from oracle database are:

Database products

• Oracle Database
• Oracle Real Application Clusters
• Data warehousing tools
• HP Oracle Exadata
• Database security utilities
• Oracle Berkeley DB
• Oracle Secure Enterprise Search (SES)
• Oracle Enterprise Manager
• Oracle Rdb server (OpenVMS platform)

The corporation has arguably become best-known due to association with its flagship product, the Oracle database. The company also builds tools for database development,middle-tier software, enterprise resource planning software (ERP), customer relationship management software (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM) software.

Among all these databases ORACLE DATABASE is one of the most widely used and comprehensive, and its version 9i is used by 84% people in the world according to IOUG Survey on Technologies for 2006, and Beyond is sponsored by Symantec, and produced by Unisphere Media, L.L.C.Oracle has marketed so many products out of which ORACLE 9i DATABASE is one of the good products and widely used in the software industry. To manage large enterprise level databases you need to become Database Administrator (DBA) as I mentioned earlier. There are two tracks to have a career in Oracle database.

• Developer’s track
• DBA Track

In both tracks Introduction to SQL 9i fundamentals is necessary. But as we move forward track changes like
In Developer’s tack, one need to learn
• SQL 9i Fundamentals
• ORACLE 9i program with PL/SQL
• ORACLE FORMS-Build internet Applications

In DBA track one learns the following particulars of the syllabus prescribed by ORACLE University

• SQL 9i Fundamentals
• Oracle 9i- Database Fundamentals -I
• Oracle 9i- Database Fundamentals –II
• Oracle 9i Database- Performance Tuning

After completing this courseware one need to upgrade to either ORACLE 10g or ORACLE 11g as these are the latest releases by Oracle.

ORACLE Database Administrator is very Responsible Position in Large enterprises. There are Major Tasks of ORACLE DBA listed below.

To plan and create Databases
To manage Database Availability
TO manage Physical and Logical Structures
To manage storage based on Design
To manage security
Network Administration
Backup and Recovery
Database Tuning

After learning Oracle 9i, you can even work on ORACLE 11i a product of Oracle popularly known as ORACLE financials or Oracle Applications.

Who should learn?

Any graduate can learn Oracle DBA, but IT companies prefer Engineering Students, Master of Computer Application Students ( MCA), M.Sc. (IT/COMP) , BSC, BCA students over any other graduate. So those who are in the final year or pre-final year can look forward towards it as it offers a lucrative career in the IT sector.