EXAMS: WHAT TO KNOW
• Relates to: Oracle9i DBA OCA | Oracle8i DBA OCP
Test 1 covers a lot of material. Be sure you know SQLPlus
very well. You need to be able to decipher complex SQL statements - including nested
sub-queries and Oracle functions - for syntax errors. Test 1 does not go into great
detail on create table and index commands, but it will have some related questions such as
when indexes get created automatically and when you have to create them manually.
Test 1 will for sure have a question or two about defining and use of Oracle sequences.
Be sure you know all the syntax, rules and DEFAULT values for defining and using
sequences. It’s hard to know which functions the test will quiz you on, but be
familiar with the basic ones including, but not limited to: TO_CHAR, NUMBER, SUBSTR,
UPPER, LOWER, NVL, SUM, COUNT, DISTINCT. The more functions you know the better off
you will be.
Be sure you know the various forms of the UPDATE and INSERT commands. Understand
the concept of commit and rollback and when Oracle commits. Understand the
structures, use of different type of cursors, and error handling in PL/SQL. Also
know how to use the GROUP BY and HAVING clauses. Know how to create views and the
rules for what can and cannot be included in a view definition.
Most of the test questions are scenario based, with some being more complicated than
others. Some of the scenarios contain extra non-important information and exhibits.
You need to be able to pick out the "facts from the fiction". The
tests will usually start off with a very complex scenario based question on some of the
more obscure topics. Don’t get thrown off by this trap. Don’t be
afraid to mark a difficult question and return to it later, while answering the questions
you know first.
There is no way that the neophyte will be prepared for this test by simply reading the
material. You must have access to an installed version of Oracle and be able to
write SQL and PL/SQL scripts to learn and test with. This is a must!
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