Apr11 Written by:Drew Salem
11/04/2008 13:18
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A non-technical argument
The other night I went for a meal with some friends, most of whom were DBAs. Oracle DBAs. They were insisting Oracle is a far better management system than SQL Server. I look after Oracle databases (out of necessity more than anything) as well as SQL Server, so I see the argument from both sides of the fence. My observation here (and this is only an observation) is that when ever you see an Oracle DBA arguing with a SQL Server DBA, it's always the Oracle guy that is red in face and wanting to prove the point that SQL Server is really the inferior solution. An amateurish micky-mouse product compared to Oracle. It's like a friend said, when an Oracle DBA wipes his arse, he doesn't see poo on the toilet paper, he sees SQL Server.
Now, I think that's a bit harsh myself, but personally as a user of both systems on a day-to-day basis, I find Oracle mundane and clunky. And it's not because I can be trigger happy and click here and there in SQL Server (that's normally an Oracle DBAs first argument), I use queries to monitor more than I do the Management Studio. It's just, with SQL Server, the whole working environment doesn't revolve around a console screen. SQL Server is some how lighter on the heart. Metaphorically, it's a colourful and happy product. If and when there's a problem, the solution is always manageable and easy. It's on your side. Whereas with Oracle you can spend days digging at the depths of its inner workings, tenaciously trawling Metalink for a solution. With SQL Server, the doors to experimentation are invite-ingly open; you can develop in .Net and interlink it with SQL Server and it's easy, building solutions without having to actually be a developer. Where as in Oracle that divide is, well more of a divide, rigid and inflexible.
That's why, even though Oracle DBAs get paid more, I prefer my job as a SQL Server DBA. If I'm to spend 8 hours every day of my life working with a product, I would rather it be with one that I didn't find *comparatively* heavy and gloomy.
Let me put it another way. If you have a fever, you'll undoubtedly take something for it. Maybe some paracetamol. Now, personally, I'm quite happy taking a pill. It will do the trick effectively, fast and sort out my problem. I see SQL Server as this pill. Easy to take, does the trick very very well. If you would rather, you're more than welcome to take the suppository; Oracle. Now a suppository is probably more effective, but I don't know about you, I'm quite happy with the pill, thanks.
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