Re: MySQL refugee interested in pgSQL

Hi,

Having been a DBA and a database developer for years, I think you may be
overly concerned. Learning DBA tasks and issues, is a process like any
other in the tech world. My experience is people usually fail due to
halfhearted efforts, I doubt you will fall into that category.

Understanding the theory behind Relational DB's, SQL grammar and typical
DBA tasks --- these things apply regardless of which DB you want to use.
For Relational theory, obviously you'll want to check out some of the
writings of Codd, Date and others, but some DB magazines have columns on
non-vendor-specific SQL theory and issues.

In the process of clubbing baby seals, you have already become familiar
with some aspects of general DBA tasks, I'm sure. Reading tips for DBA's
of Sybase, DB2, Oracle and other DB's besides pgSQL can be helpful, too,
since issues tend to cross the DB boundaries.

As far as, learning pgSQL specific things - turning on different logging
options in the configuration and re-running sql statements to observe
the output can be helpful. GBorg http://gborg.postgresql.org/browse.php
can help with tools for monitoring, administration, converting from
mySQL, developing queries, tutorials and more. Obviously, subscribing to
all the pg mailing lists is good, too...

Much of the effort invested in learning pg related skills, will pay off
well since those skills are transferable to proprietary DB's and after
learning pgSQL you will find learning those to be easy(er). I don't
think you have anything to worry about, other than applying yourself to
task.

BTW, I think that the clubbing baby seals thing is a great idea for an
advertising campaign. Friends don't let friends use [insert package name
here] software because it results in the clubbing of innocent baby seals
- Won't someone think of the seal babies... :)

Rob

Jesse Thompson wrote:
> Hello, how do you do?
>
> I am a MySQL guy. I am interested in pgSQL. I have learned roughly
[snip lengthy concerns]
> knowledge or else the seals have to die. :(
>
> - - Jesse Thompson
> Bend, OR