Question: What is the most important skill any Oracle DBA/Developer needs?
Answer: Knowing how to search the Oracle documentation.
The Oracle database is a massive product. There are sections of it I’ve never ventured near. Do I spend my time trying to remember syntax and procedures for every possible occurence? No. I try to understand the principles of what is going on and regularly refer back to the docs to fill in the gaps. I search the docs constantly. There are some very basic tasks that I would probably fail to complete without reference to the manual (or one of my articles). Whenever I see an error message I search the docs for that error message to see what the action against it is. I can’t imagine anyone being able to function as a DBA or developer without constant reference to the docs.
I am frequently asked questions that are very easily answered by searching the docs for the relevant keywords in the question. So the original poster has wasted the time taken to type the question, plus the time it takes for me to come online and answer it. Since most of my readers live in a different timezone to me, it can be several hours between the post arriving and me answering it.
So if you want to get good at Oracle, learn to search the docs. Every time you want to know something:
- Go to “http://tahiti.oracle.com/“.
- Type in some relevant keywords. Stick to keywords, not whole sentances.
- Click the “Search Doc Libraries”
- Select the section relevant to your product/version.
- Rinse and repeat.
Over time you will become an Oracle Certified Professional Documentation Searcher… 
Cheers
Tim…
Tim,
>Oracle Certified Professional Documentation Searcher
Some certification like that coming up ?
I am ready to go for it
Interestingly Oracle do not let you search its own documents when you are taking OCM exam.
Masters index (though sometimes missing sections exists) is another way to find your way maybe the only way you need to get used to to find your way if you want to take OCM exam
Nice one….A must for every oracle fellow
I’ll be publishing this nugget of information on the OCP Blog!
Hi Tim,
I agree! You would be surprised by how many DBAs ask me a question that can be solved with a quick search on My Oracle Support (MOS) or via the Oracle docs.
Cheers,
Ben
More than just Oracle — I’d say it’s a good life skill. Amazing what will turn up from a quick google search on – for example – the php oci_connect procedure. I don’t write php for a living yet I’m helping php developers connect to oracle… all because I can use google and read documentation.
But also – I don’t think you can undervalue a solid architectural understanding. For example… knowing what a listener does. Connections can be very confusing if you’ve never heard of a listener…
The Lyford Cay Sect serves as a community resource for international and Bahamian families. Lyford Cay College offers a exorbitant standard Nursery entirely Treble Creed education. By a multi-cultural circumstances that promotes understanding amongst distinctive nationalities, students are provided with the opportunities and resources to appropriate for cross-cultural learners and guilty citizens. Lyford Cay Followers is an distinct, non-denominational, time school. The school is a non-profit-making entity governed around a Board of Directors.
http://ineqadune.wordpress.com/
http://axofitoqad.wordpress.com/
http://abykatuguw.wordpress.com/
http://jubujomi.wordpress.com/
The Lyford Cay School serves as a community resource for intercontinental and Bahamian families. Lyford Cay University offers a exorbitant pattern Nursery through Piercing Inculcate education. Through a multi-cultural circumstances that promotes reconciliation amongst multiform nationalities, students are provided with the opportunities and resources to ripen into cross-cultural learners and culpable citizens. Lyford Cay Followers is an competent, non-denominational, hour school. The university is a non-profit-making entity governed around a Game table of Directors.
http://ujojeby.wordpress.com/
http://syzefudyv.wordpress.com
http://isalul.wordpress.com/
http://jubujomi.wordpress.com/