RE: SQL ISeries Exp. vs>???

["Loyd Goodbar" <loyd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Is there such a thing as a "SQL programmer"?

I've found that my iSeries SQL knowledge travels very well into SQL Server.
In my mind, it isn't the "SQL" knowledge, but the idiosyncrasies of each
platform, that slow you down. For example, I really like common table
expressions ("with blah as..."), which iSeries DB2 has but SQL Server 2000
lacks. I find that it's much easier to create stored procedures on SQL
Server than iSeries. SQL Server's Enterprise manager and Query Analyzer are
very good tools.

Each database vendor has its own functions, or alternate names for similar
functions. For example, on iSeries, you can say trim(field); on SQL Server,
it's ltrim(rtrim(field)). iSeries has I think the hex() function which shows
the hex equivalent of a field. To my knowledge SQL server doesn't have a
similar function. Date operations are much easier in DB2 than SQL Server. A
date is a date in DB2. A date is really a datetime in SQL Server, and
requires you to be cognizant of the time aspect when working with dates.

What really sets apart the iSeries from other databases is in its "data base
administration". Now, for a real DBA job, you typically run database
analysis and usage reports, gather statistics, pack and rebuild indexes,
make sure tables storage (partitions or filespaces) isn't in danger of being
filled. You usually see these activities in SQL Server and Oracle
environments. In these respects, the iSeries administrator doesn't really
have these tasks; the system manages itself nicely. 

If you only use the iSeries, you'll probably be ill-prepared to run a DBA
position for Oracle or SQL Server. But programming for SQL Server versus
iSeries should be very similar. The way to do the job (interactive SQL or
iSeries Navigator versus Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer) and some of
the syntax for doing the job are different. Your basic SQL knowledge (how
SQL works, how to select data, how to build tables and define relations)
should transfer without much effort.

HTH,
Loyd

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of jns
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 5:56 PM
To: Midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: SQL ISeries Exp. vs>???

For employment purposes, how does the SQL knowledge that you have on the
ISeries
measure up in terms of the job market. Can you apply for any SQL programmer
position f or example, and say that there is a technical interview, could
you do very well?
Jay