Speaking of, I find myself lacking in database theory know-how. I really found it so boring back in college, but it's essential now.
I just finished DB and file system theory a few semesters ago, and will take this statement into consideration when i find myself hating databases. now i shall believe that DB theory is really essentail, all but obvious and common-sense it comes. however, the concepts for effective use and design of databases IMHO is more important than the actual theory behind its operation. because when you want to get really theoretical, in UPLB we still study tuple operations using the weird calculus and mathematical basis and notations on the theory behind the database relational concept.
obviously, i never really paid attention, and relied mostly on common sense to get by. although SQL savy is really neccessary as i had to find that out the hard way.
What are good courses that teach how to design tables and queries... not things you can learn in the manuals like how to start your db engine. :)
if you like, you could consider getting a diploma in comsci from the UP Open University. however, if you don't have time for this (or if you already have a BS comsci, as i think you already have... :) ), there are a lot of good books precisely on database design that will help you much. i personally like the database concepts book by silberschatz (one with the sails), but any database concepts textbooks should help you about database design.
these also make for good reference material, so when you find yourself normalizing or designing a database, they become real handy and essential nonetheless.
remember those books in college that nobody wanted to read? well they help. :)
Local Oracle training comes into mind, but how about those who don't need or want Oracle? How do local CS departments teach db theory, nowadays?
in UPLB, there's a lot of theoretical stuff going on in the lecture. as i mentioned, the weird calculus and mathematical basis for tuple related operations (something like tuple relational calculus -- i never got to liking those...). but in the lab, we get a feel of a lot of different databases like Oracle, FoxBase (old and new), and even do it yourself with C/C++/Java. MySQL is also endorsed, although not taught in the labs. the faculty just says: "Ok, bahala ka kung ano database gusto mo gamitin. importante, gumagana and database management system talaga yan."
we even had one project where nobody taught us how to use MySQL, and we were expected to integrate a PHP based web application with it. awa ng diyos, mataas ang mortality rate pero nakalusot naman. :) that says so much about how we are being taught computer science here in UPLB. and i happen to like it, no nonesense spoonfeeding crap -- go read and learn by yourself, and if you need questions, here is my consultation hours... :)
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