What is database programming?

Question

I'm attending university with my major being database programming, but I feel like I was kinda forced into the classes without really understanding what it is.

I want to know now before I become too consumed in the classes to change, I know that I'll learn database languages and learn servers but is being able to build programs like, skype, for example apart of this degree?

I had told the school that I wanted to learn and have a degree in which I would be able to make programs and applications, but after doing some research it doesn't seem like that's the case with database programming.

Is the degree I'm going for what I'm wanting? What exactly would my job entail? What other type of things am I going to have to learn in school? If this isn't the degree I was looking for which career choice should I transfer into?

Answer 1

What kind of horrible school/advisor do you have where they usher you into a major that you dont even know what it is?



No, skype is not an example of database programming. It is application programming. Mobile application programming, to be more specific.



"Database programming" is about manipulating databases. Creating, updating, inserting, and deleting rows in a database table. You will no-doubt learn about creating tables, stored procedure, triggers, database functions, etc although that is more DBA (database administrator) work.



Advanced db programming would probably be data mining, data warehousing, etc.





http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&hp&

Answer 2

Databases are such that programming them is quite different from most other types of systems.

To build a database you'll need to learn database design (which is different from programming), and that will mean understanding DDL (data definition language). Then, to work with a database (put data into a database or retrieve and manipulate data from a database) you'll need to learn SQL (structured query language). Although there are databases that use a languages other than SQL, most databases systems (Oracel, MS SQL Server, MySQL, etc) do use SQL, so that is the one that is probably best for you to learn.



Skype must interact with databases, but it is not a database application itself.



Before looking into applications like Skype, I suggest that you look into the design of database driven websites. Try to build a simple database driven website yourself, and see if you like it. That will be good experience that will serve you well in your education and your career if you decide to pursue a career working with databases.

Answer 3

Database programming is typically more related to business IT. Basically creating and modifying databases at typically huge Fortune 500 type companies. Since only super big companies hire database programmers, the pay also tends to be super good.



If you want to do pure programming, you need to get into comp sci. I'd recommend talking to your college adviser.

Answer 4

So what exactly are you majoring in?? If you want to write, code, analyze, design programs and or computer systems, take computer science as your major.