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nethervoid
Starting Member
12 Posts |
 Posted - 2005-09-30 : 19:12:21
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| I'm in a slightly sticky situation. I recently got a job I interviewed for as a business analyst/programmer. I know quite a bit of VB 6.0 and SQL language, also enough access to build a decent database as a backend for my apps. I've recently received a 4 yr CIS degree, so I know a little about everything. I told them very clearly three times in the interview that I'd never built a SQL Server DB, but they must not have cared about that. They need someone who can program, do some DB work, and also do some business analysis. I was the best fit they could find.After working with the group a few days, I figured out they need a data warehouse and marts to do some historical analysis, and eventually data mining and trend analysis, etc. I think they said they'd like to have that by the end of next year.What I need now is one or two really great books to get started with, and a small synopsis on what I'm going to need as far as dev software and server specifics to get this thing off the ground. The first thing they would like to see is simply enough tables to dump data into from 4 or 5 different DBs, from which they can pull data for analysis whenever they need to do so. The total rows for this DB will be around 170mil, but with just a few measures in each row. Microsoft spreadsheet says I should expect about 5gig per year of data.So I'm freaking out because I know ziltch about SQL Server, what tools and server set up I'm going to need, and the more I read, the less it sounds like "Oh it's not that big of a deal. It's easy", as a few friends told me.Help! |
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derrickleggett
Pointy Haired Yak DBA
4184 Posts |
Posted - 2005-09-30 : 23:48:59
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| You're friends are crazy. Look up Ralph Kimball. Buy his books and read them all. Then, buy a couple good SQL Server and OLAP books. Look on the "Books" link at the top of this page. I'm sure others here can also give you good links or ideas. You might want to start watching the webcasts on SQL Server 2005. They have a lot of FREE training and information on data warehousing with SQL Server 2005. It will be a start for you.Good luck.MeanOldDBAderrickleggett@hotmail.comWhen life gives you a lemon, fire the DBA. |
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eyechart
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
3575 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-01 : 10:36:59
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| This sounds like an excellent opportunity for you.I would recommend that you get the developer edition of SQL 2000 and start working with it now. Participate here in the discussions and you will be very surprised how much and how quickly you learn. -ec |
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rockmoose
SQL Natt Alfen
3279 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-01 : 14:37:23
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| Are the 4-5 db's the same, or do they cover different business areas and you need to integrate them ?Are they all SQL Server, or other ? |
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nethervoid
Starting Member
12 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-03 : 12:14:56
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| I'm not sure which types of DBs these data dumps will come from. I think primarily Oracle and SQL Server DBs.I definitely agree this is a good opportunity. Getting lucky is about the only way to get into the industry anymore without a ton of "on my own/did it at home or for free" time.I'll check into those books, and start doing some webinars. |
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derrickleggett
Pointy Haired Yak DBA
4184 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-03 : 12:24:12
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| Good luck. Let us know if you need any help. It's good to see a new person actually taking initiative to learn and accomplish things on his own.MeanOldDBAderrickleggett@hotmail.comWhen life gives you a lemon, fire the DBA. |
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Total newbie to SQL Server