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Tag: sql server

Server Architecture

Building an application is only part of the process; a platform to run your code on is just as important to know about. Environmental differences can cause unexpected bugs in your code and having a knowledge of of server architectures can be a vital asset to your tech stack. Servers need to perform a range of tasks, including manage domains and user groups, permissions, and run your applications – ultimately to provide a service to you.  These services can include web services like IIS or Apache, Databases such as SQL Server or MySQL, email services like Exchange or Postfix/Dovecot.

As well as having an in depth knowledge of desktop operating systems Windows XP – Windows 10, and Linux environments such as Ubuntu, Fedora and OpenSuse I have an extensive knowledge in both Unix and Windows Server. Windows server as always provides the advantage of managing everything through a GUI, giving your server management a little bit of ease, and being able to run some development tools natively is always a bonus.

Running a Unix server by comparison is a lot more hands on, but provides much greater flexibility when it comes to server architecture (As well as having the bonus of being free), and with the new territory of .Net Core Unix is becoming a more viable option in businesses. I am familiar with most Debian and Redhat bases systems – in fact this website is running on a CentOS system running in the cloud.

It is one thing to know that these services are available to you, but understanding the alternatives on both platforms, as well as how to set up and use these platforms is a valuable skill.

SQL

Databases play a vital role in any backend system; from the early stages of my A levels, throughout my degree and now in my current employment I have been using SQL based systyems; and through both professional and personal interests my SQL knowledge has grown from simple web interfaces, to managing entire SQL databases in various formats, including Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL and Oracle.

I have worked with SQL Server  in a professional capacity since 2013 when I first started my professional development career. Working for a company with a tech stack ranging from 2005 to present I was became familiar with a range of SQL Server products from SQL Enterprise 2000, SQL Profiler and SQL Server 2005 – 2016. Working with Tables, Views, Stored Procedures and functions – as well as more meta datbase objects such as logins, schemas and SQL Agent Jobs. Working with large quantities of data at a time I am proficient in indexing, query optimisation and common table expressions. As well as tracking SQL through source control in DDL formats, as well as Microsoft’s inbuilt SSDT.

MySQL has been used in both my personal and freelance work – as an open source and free option it is a very powerful and cost effective database platform. Used in both Command Line and GUI capacities I have set up multiple databases, tables, functions, stored procedures and users – even the database this blog is operating on.

My degree focused on Oracle 11g, creating tables and stored procedures as well as focusing on relational algebra.

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