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Database Administrator (DBA)

Database administrators install, configure, secure and tune the databases that applications depend on. They manage backups and recovery, user access, performance and upgrades, and help developers design efficient schemas and queries.

What the job involves

  • Design and maintain schemas, indexes and constraints.
  • Plan and test backups and disaster recovery.
  • Monitor performance and tune slow queries.
  • Manage users, permissions and security.

Core skills

  • Advanced SQL
  • Database design and normalization
  • Indexes and query tuning
  • Transactions and concurrency
  • Backup and recovery
  • Scripting (Python, shell or PowerShell)

Your learning path

Work through the steps in order. Each one links to the lessons and practice to use.

  1. Step 1: SQL from basics to advanced

    A DBA must read and write any query the application runs.

  2. Step 2: Database design

    Good schemas prevent bad data. Learn keys, constraints, data types and normalization.

    Not on Laviyx Learn yet

    • Normalization (1NF to 3NF) in depth

  3. Step 3: Indexes, transactions and server-side code

    Indexes make queries fast; transactions keep data consistent; views and stored procedures package logic in the database.

    Not on Laviyx Learn yet

    • Reading execution plans (EXPLAIN)
    • Isolation levels and locking

  4. Step 4: Operations: backup, security and monitoring

    The core of the job is keeping data safe and available.

    Not on Laviyx Learn yet

    • Backup, restore and point-in-time recovery
    • Replication and high availability
    • User roles, privileges and auditing
    • Administering PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server or Oracle
    • Cloud database services

  5. Step 5: Automation

    Script repetitive tasks such as health checks and reports.

    Not on Laviyx Learn yet

    • Shell or PowerShell scripting

  6. Step 6: Prepare for interviews

    Expect SQL writing, design and normalization, indexing, transactions, and backup and recovery scenarios.

Projects to build

Projects prove your skills and give you something to show.

  • Design a normalized schema for a school or clinic and load sample data.
  • Find and fix slow queries on a large table by adding the right indexes.
  • Write and test a backup-and-restore runbook for a local PostgreSQL database.

Interview preparation

This path is a suggested order. Requirements differ between companies, so also read job descriptions for the roles you are applying to.

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