Chapter 1. The Database Administration Profession

Why is this damn application so slow?

I accidentally deleted my customer's order a few days ago. Can you retrieve it?

The auditor is coming in tomorrow to review our security access list. Please have something ready.

Here is your pager, enjoy the weekend!

The life of a database administrator (DBA) can be quite interesting. To some nontechnical folks within a company, a DBA is a necessary evil. They can look at a developer and say, "Oh, this is what you created." When they look at a DBA, what can they see? Usually they don't think much about the DBA until they have a problem. When this occurs, you are more important than anyone else, including most executives. It is in these situations where you as a DBA can make or break your career.