While MySQL is gaining ground Oracle remains king of the database world. According to an analysis of the database market released by IDC, the Big Three database vendors are as follows (percentage of worldwide market):
- Oracle (45%)
- IBM (DB2) (21%)
- Microsoft (SQL Server) (17%)
The study finds that Microsoft is the big mover in this market and is gaining momentum with the release late last year of SQL Server 2005. "Microsoft is not the only vendor that the two giants -- Oracle and IBM -- are worried about," according to the study's author. "Alternatives such as the open source RDBMS [relational database management system] vendor MySQL are also attracting a good deal of attention and loyalty from a new generation of database developers."
As we saw in the Boston Market -- July TACK analysis, listing database knowledge and experience on your resume can open the door to more than ten times as many opportunities as listing design skills such as Dreamweaver and Flash. So, how can you learn about Oracle's proprietary database software when this software can cost tens of thousands of dollars (pdf) to purchase and install?
Here's the inside scoop: Oracle supports the open source community. In particular, Oracle and PHP are two compatible technologies. While PHP is free to download and use, Oracle is not -- at least not until recently. Oracle has followed the lead of Microsoft in developing an Express (FREE) version of its popular database software. An now, like Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 Express Edition before it, books are starting to appear on how to use the Oracle Database 10g Express Edition.
Strategy #1: If you are new to databases and PHP programming, then start by downloading PHP, MySQL and Apache, all FREE open-source software. Quite a few books are available to help get you started, including Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache All in One, 3rd Edition.
Strategy #2: If you want to upgrade your skills (and your market potential) into the Big Leagues, consider an investment in Oracle Database 10g Express Edition PHP Web Programming. This book will be available on September 8.
More than 500 Oracle jobs are currently available in the greater Boston area. Can you afford not to add Oracle database knowledge to your resume?