Database programmers develop and maintain database programs. Understanding what databases are and how to build them is the primary responsibility of database programmers. They also work with others on the team to clarify field elements and requirements, and then design and implement relational database.
Types of Database Programmers:
There are various types of database programmers. Many write programs that connect to an existing database, often residing on a remote server, replying to complex queries on the contained data. Some concentrate on writing programs that can add a single report to an existing database, entered by multiple users at multiple sites.
What do the Database Programming Pros Do?
People might trust any programmer to write a report to access data from, say, an Oracle database. But they wouldn't think of having one do any serious database development without considerable direct experience on the database system on which the development is to be deployed (e.g., Oracle, SQL). That's where a database programming pro comes in.
Many of the basic technical skills of database programming are more transferable from one database to another. While "big data" systems like Hadoop are emerging for accessing terabytes of content, the most popular databases are relational ones. These include Oracle, SQL Server, IBM DB2, MySQL, Postgre, and Berkeley DB. The key concepts remain the same for all these systems. They all use SQL statements to access data.
So an expert on one of these systems would likely be an expert on another? No. A direct experience with a particular database is necessary if one expects to do any but rudimentary database tasks.
Database Programming Pros are Hands-on Mentors:
Pros work closely with developers. Their duties overlap, sometimes. When this happens, pros do typical development work, such as designing programs. Pros think, blog, lecture, write, and create software dedicated to resolving problems.
Pros create databases based on the design generated by the database designer and get it ready for data entry. This process includes:
- Setting up the database structure, and
- Creating the user interface, typically using the tools included with the DBMS.
Many databases also require custom programs used to access the database or to tie the database to other applications, such as to a web site for an e-commerce application. This is the job of a pro. Sometimes the pros build the interface using a programming language with very specific requirements.
How to Stay Ahead?
To stay competitive, a student studying database programming should strive to be fluent in more than one programming language. In the not-too-distant past, it was enough for a would-be programmer to be an expert in only SQL Server. But, to stay ahead in today's market, a database programmer should be proficient in database programming, as well as in front-end programming such as JavaScript/HTML and a specific programming language such as C/C++.
Aspiring Programmers Should:
Aspiring programmers today should work with databases that run almost all types of applications. Almost all applications use databases. Students should learn how to design a database, write queries (SQL), and do maintenance. They should also know the principles of normalization as this leads to fantastic database design.
The Next Step is Easy!
If youâd like to be a part of this fascinating profession, consider earning Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Database Programming at ECPI University. Through our accelerated, year-round program, you can earn a Bachelorâs degree in just 2.5 years. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
DISCLAIMER â ECPI University makes no claim, warranty or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.
Gainful Employment Information
For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.