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Home > Archive > Oracle certifications > July 2002 > Which Oracle certification
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Which Oracle certification
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| Hello. Wonder what is the path for going to certification as a data warehousing expert?
Applications or DBA?
Thanks | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-05-22, 9:56 am |
| I think data warehousing would involve more DBA material than Applications. For that kind of intensive database work you'll probably need plenty of PL/SQL development AND DBA expertise.
If I'm not mistaken, the Applications path involves the use of Oracle Forms and other Oracle tools to develop the front-end application. I don't know how useful this is in creating a data warehouse; the real work in creating this kind of environment is in creating, planning, deploying, and tuning the database. Also, I believe that Oracle offers advanced classes in creating these types of environments.
Hope this helps! | |
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| Thanks zebra.
I am greatly enlightened by your words.
I am going to take the test for OCA. Wonder is there any good web sites or books to recommend?
Again, thank you very much. | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-05-23, 8:48 am |
| The OCA certification is a good start, but you might want to think about going all the way for OCP certificaion as an Oracle 8i DBA. That's what I'm working on now. While the OCA cert is obtained by passing one test, the OCP cert encompasses five tests, and qualifies you as a full-fledged DBA. Then you find yourself in the real world...
I started by reading the Oracle Concepts book from the generic online Oracle documentation. This information is downloadable for free from Oracle.com. Then I started going through the Oracle 8i DBA Handbook from Oracle Press, and I am also using the CBTs from NetG. You can get copies of these on eBay. Finally, I'm seriously considering using the cert21 or the Self Test practice exams to get prepared for the real thing.
Good luck! | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-05-23, 8:49 am |
| One thing I forgot to mention: the Oracle 8 or 8i PL/SQL programming book has more than enough information to pass the Intro to PL/SQL exam. I read about half of the book and breezed right through it. However, I've had a few years of experience with SQL programming, so that might have been the difference. | |
| The VMS Kid 2002-05-23, 9:33 am |
| Be careful though. SQL is not quite as simplke as it might seem at first. I am not sure how detailed the exam is though. Still, I would imagine that you would have to know it quite thoroughly to pass. | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-05-23, 9:58 am |
| Good point. If you don't have experience with SQL you should work with the common DML and DDL statements; INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, SELECT, CREATE, ALTER, and DROP. There are a lot of good intro to SQL books out there; I mention the Oracle book because it goes way beyond what was covered in my exam. | |
| The VMS Kid 2002-05-23, 11:01 am |
| Thanks for the heads-up. I was thinking about trying for this exam later, but wasn't sure how much experience was needed. I have five years experience using SQL, but most of it is fairly simple stuff, and I know some queries can get quite complicated. I have only recently found out just how complicated. | |
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| Heard from my friend that single-row and other multiple row functions will be tested too...
But the whole list of functions available to Oracle sure looks intimidating to me...
anyway, how long have you guys worked as a DBA? i am really a new kid on the block..so dunno much on Oracle.. any suggestions to better inprove myself?
A million thanks.
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| Skating Zebra 2002-05-24, 8:13 am |
| I've been working mostly with SQL Server for the past few years; the last time I worked extensively with Oracle was around '98. I was part of a team developing an enterprise-level loan application system for our company.
First tip: practice with SQL. There aren't a lot of commands, but the ones that are there are complicated. Also, get used to entering SQL commands to do administrative tasks, such as checking on available disk space, getting user information, database structures, etc. SQL is one of those "minutes to learn, lifetime to master" kind of things, and the more you use it, the more comfortable you become when new things are thrown at you.
As for the list of functions, as I remember there were a set series of functions that I had to remember for the exam. These included the simpler ones, like UPPER() for example. One of the practice tests will give you an idea of which functions you really need to concentrate on.
The most complicated command in SQL is the SELECT command, because so much of what goes into creating a SELECT command is based on mathematical set theory. Learn the SELECT, and practice with it.
If you have little or no experience with SQL, get a beginners primer on SQL and go through it. Most of these books use Microsoft Access or SQL Server in their examples, because these DBMS are more accessible and cheaper than Oracle. SQL is SQL is SQL; the language is the same in all DBMS, but the particular flavor of SQL that a database uses is unique. Oracle uses PL/SQL, SQL Server uses T-SQL, etc.
Sorry about the long reply. I'm trying to think of all the information that you need to know. | |
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| Thanks Zebra. U r a great help.
I know a bit on the SQL commands, e.g. the SELECT, INSERT, CREATE TABLES...
All these are mostly DML or DDL..
Currently my job dun really require me to perform the administrative role.. dun have the chance to learn or guidance to guide...
Any idea on how to learn the administrative role?
Thanks | |
| PaulaJava 2002-05-28, 12:27 am |
| Hey Zebra and elyeo,
I've been reading this interesting post. I have a couple of questions.
I thought to get the OCA, one had to pass the first two exams of the OCP exams. Am I wrong?  Also, are there jobs out there for someone with OCA? If so, what kind? I just graduated from college and took an Oracle8 class and now I am hooked. Please let me know Zebra. Thanks.
Paula | |
| elyeo 2002-05-28, 12:42 am |
| Hello & welcome, Paula.
Yes, to get OCA, u have to pass the 2 exams.
there are lots of jobs out there that dun require u to get certified as OCA but some companies used certification as part of their filter too.
Actually, i think the most important thing of all is experience..
But again, it is a chicken & egg problem..who will employ a person will no experience..
That's y i am striving for a certification..
furthermore, getting a OCA only means that u r open to entry-level opportunities..
In my case, i am thinking of becoming a data warehouse specialists, that's y i think at the moment, OCA is enough for me.
Dunno whether i answer ur answer or not.. | |
| PaulaJava 2002-05-28, 12:49 am |
| Awesome elyeo! Yes you answered my question. I know what you mean about the Chicken and Egg problem. It is suggested that one has experience before one takes the exams but how do I get experience if I don't have certification? Anyways, good luck on your certifications. Keep us posted. I can't wait to get started myself.
Paula  | |
| elyeo 2002-05-28, 12:56 am |
| Thanks, Puala
And good luck to you too. | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-05-28, 11:27 am |
| Howdy again!
I just checked out the OCA, and as elyeo said, you need two tests to get the certification, not one as I said previously (oops!) From what I see, the OCA certification is for Oracle 9i only, while the OCP certification is available for either 8i or 9i. I think there's one "upgrade" test that you have to take to do the 9i OCP if you've got the 8i OCP.
Paula: When I was starting out in the field (back when the moon was young and dinosaurs ruled the earth!) I got my first job through a headhunter. This gave me enough experience to go for a higher-level job in a fairly short period of time - I'm talking months, not years. An Oracle certification will give you some credibility so that you can more readily pick up that first job, then your experience at that job will carry you the rest of the way.
Until they release "the next big thing".
I should be taking the Admin exam within a week or so. Wish me luck! | |
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| hello zebra. I wish i could be like you. But currently i am working as an analyst that doesn't require me to do much DBA work.
I am looking for part-time job that allows me to learn on the job at nite.
Do companies employ DBA to look after their servers at nite(7pm-12midnite)?
Thanks.
btw, good luck to your exam.
juz' out of curiosity, wat admin exam are u taking? | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-05-29, 9:26 am |
| I'm taking 1Z0-023, Oracle 8i Architecture and Administration. I'm going to sign up this week, I think. Yipe!
I've seen companies that hire nighttime DBAs, but there are a couple of things that you may have to look out for. First, the job of a nighttime DBA usually is to simply watch over the systems and only act if there's a problem. You could find yourself in a situation where you have a problem that you have no experience in fixing, and another, more experienced DBA has to be called in to take care of the problem. Another thing that can happen is that you can wind up doing operations work (running printouts and pre-defined jobs, simple backups, cleaning the boxes, etc.) instead of doing true DBA work. Not that this kind of work isn't important, but it's not the kind of thing that will further your career as a DBA.
The good news is that Oracle people are still in short supply, and if you look around for a while, I'm sure you'll find a job that will allow you to pick up the experience you need to get you where you want to be. Contact every headhunter you can find and see what develops. You'd be suprised at what's out there. Also, post your resume on every job site you can think of. It never hurts to be out on the Internet. Just make sure that the correct keywords are in your resume; "Oracle 8i", "Oracle DBA", etc.
Me and my long posts. I'll shut up now.
Good luck! | |
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| Good luck in your exam, zebra.
That is one of my concerns too. I afraid that i might ended up as one of the nite time clerk. Furthermore, if there isn't any experienced DBA around, i dun think i can handle much of the problems...
i have a request. Is it possible that you be my mentor? I hope i can be like you, become an Oracle DBA.
It's really nice to have people like you around to tell us about their experiences.
Thanks.
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| Skating Zebra 2002-05-30, 9:08 pm |
| Well, I'm quite flattered that you'd want me to help you, and, of course, I'm more than willing to do so in any way that I can. However, please remember that I am pretty new to this; I've only been working with Oracle 8i in a DBA capacity for a couple of weeks. Most of my experience has been as a developer. I've worked on developing enterprise-level applications (mostly client-server) using VB and SQL Server.
Anyway, let me know if there's any other information that I can try to give you. | |
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| Thanks, zebra.
I felt that what i lacking most is practical experience. That really perplexes me... how to actually gain more experience... you can't do learn much by juz' installing Oracle Personal edition and learn at home..
Currently, i am sending my CV to companies that required DBA. But they usually employ permanent staff.
How did u start ur career as a Oracle DBA/Developer?
Is there any good books/ sites to recommend?
Thanks. | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-06-03, 8:17 am |
| Well, once again, I started out as a developer. I work in Visual Basic and SQL Server, mostly.
Once I got out of college, I started working as a developer using FoxPro. Then I moved on to another company that was developing a new loan management system using Visual Basic and Oracle. I got a lot of my SQL experience from writing queries and stored procedures for the application.
Next, I did some fairly heavy SQL Server database work on yet another project; this involved setting up a customized replication system for 100+ databases distributed around the country.
My current position started out as a SQL Server DBA position, and then expanded into the Oracle side. I'm working with another, more experienced DBA, and trying to get ramped up for the tests.
Remember, there's no set path to getting a job as a DBA. You have to find the right spots at the right times. You may very well start off doing SQL coding for a new project, while someone else does a lot of the DBA work. From there you can try to move into the DBA realm gradually. Or, you might find yourself "thrown into the deep end" - getting hired as the DBA for a company and then getting your real-world experience as you go.
I've always found that headhunters make the job search a lot easier. Get your resume out there as much as possible, and remember, most reputable headhunters do NOT charge you a fee; they're paid by the companies that use their service.
Good Luck! | |
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| Hello, zebra. It has been a long time since our last "conversation".
Recently i saw the announcement from Oracle. Seems that for future OCP exam, we are required to take the instructor-led course. This really puts me into distress. That move by Oracle means more $$$ to be forked out juz' to get myself qualified... very sad..
Any suggestions??
i have juz' completed my datawarehousing course. I think i might as well concentrate on this area for the time being...
Anyway, how's ur exam? | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-07-03, 5:16 am |
| Yeah, I saw that. Pissed me off too.
I decided to continue with the 8i OCP. After completing that, only one test is required for the 9i OCP. The course requirement is only for those going directly for the 9i OCP only. The way I figure it, the cost of a single course (even computer-based) is less than all the money put together for books, training materials, and exams that I've spent getting my 8i OCP. So if I can get both certs for less than the cost of one course, that's the way I'm going to go.
I passed Architecture & Admin, and Backup & Recovery. I'm taking Networking & Security this weekend, and then it's on to the final hurdle of Performance Tuning. | |
| PaulaJava 2002-07-03, 12:26 pm |
| Good Luck Skating Zebra! I'm sure you'll pass.
Paula | |
| elyeo 2002-07-05, 12:45 am |
| juz' passed the exam on SQL today.. called up the Oracle Education Center.. the hands-on course requirements only apply to OCP, not if u intend to get a OCA.
hence, for the time being i am considering to aim for OCA..
Btw, zebra, how do you study for the exam on "Oracle 9i Database Fundamentals I"?
I heard from others that the study guides might not be very useful. The best guides will be the documentation notes(pdf) in Oracle Website. Any recommendations?
Thanks | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-07-05, 7:28 am |
| PaulaJava - Thanks! I wish I had your confidence!
elyeo - You should definitely complete your OCA, but realize that this certification won't carry the weight that an OCP certification will.
There are a series of CBTs available from NetG that are helpful in getting the bulk of the necesary information down in the shortest amount of time. They can be found as a package deal on eBay fairly easily. I'd start there, and then supplement the CBTs with Oracle's Online Documentation and the Self Test Software practice tests.
Good Luck! |
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