---
esco_uri: http://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/7369f779-4b71-4aab-8836-48b69c676eec
esco_label: "operate relational database management system"
relation: essential
onet_soc: 15-1242.00
source: model-knowledge
confidence: high
qa_count: 0
generator: gemma3:27b (prompt-designed and spot-checked by Claude)
generated: 2026-07-10
---

# operate relational database management system — Database Administrator

For a Database Administrator (DBA), 'operating a relational database management system' isn’t just *knowing* about tables and columns – it’s the core of their daily work. It means being fluent in actually *using* systems like Oracle, SQL Server, or MySQL to manage data lifecycle. Typical tasks include writing and optimizing complex SQL queries for reporting & application support, configuring database security (users, permissions, auditing), performing backups/recovery operations, monitoring performance metrics (CPU, memory, disk I/O) to proactively identify bottlenecks, and applying patches/upgrades without disrupting service.  It's about hands-on administration, not theoretical understanding.

The tools DBAs use go beyond just the database client. They’ll leverage command-line interfaces (SQL*Plus, `sqlcmd`, `mysql`), GUI management tools (Oracle Enterprise Manager, SQL Server Management Studio, phpMyAdmin), scripting languages (PowerShell, Bash) for automation, and monitoring solutions (Nagios, Prometheus, Datadog). A common pitfall is writing inefficient queries that cripple performance or misconfiguring security settings leading to data breaches.  Another is failing to properly test backup/restore procedures – a disaster recovery failure can be catastrophic.

Good DBA operation looks like proactive problem solving. It’s not just *reacting* to alerts, but analyzing trends in database activity to anticipate issues before they impact users. This means understanding execution plans, indexing strategies, and data partitioning techniques.  It also involves documenting configurations, changes, and troubleshooting steps meticulously – a well-maintained knowledge base is invaluable. A 'good' DBA can quickly diagnose performance problems, implement solutions with minimal downtime, and ensure data integrity.

Finally, this competence increasingly includes understanding database *as code* principles - using infrastructure as code tools (like Terraform or Ansible) to automate database provisioning and configuration.  While the ESCO definition focuses on core RDBMS operation, modern DBAs are expected to integrate these systems into broader DevOps pipelines.

## Weitere Anreicherung

Stage-2 source for future practitioner grounding: arXiv cs.SE (software-engineering preprints).
