Introduction

There is high demand for professionals in the information technology (IT) industry, and Oracle certifications are the hottest credential in the database world. You have made the right decision to pursue certification, because being certified in the latest version of Oracle, Oracle Database 12c, will give you a distinct advantage in this highly competitive market.

Many readers may already be familiar with Oracle and do not need an introduction to Oracle databases. For those who aren’t familiar with the company, Oracle, founded in 1977, sold the first commercial relational database and is now the world’s leading database company and second-largest independent software company with revenues of more than $37 billion, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California.

Oracle databases are the de facto standard for large Internet sites, mission-critical enterprise applications, and cloud solutions. With the acquisition of Sun Microsystems, Oracle offers complete enterprise business solutions with engineered systems capable of running world-class databases and applications. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application suites, data warehouses, and business applications at many large and medium-sized companies rely on Oracle. The demand for DBA resources remains higher than others during weak economic times.

This book is intended to help you on your exciting path toward becoming an Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate (OCA), which is the first step on the path toward Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) and Oracle Certified Master (OCM) certification. This book covers two of the exams required for the OCA certification. Using this book and a practice database, you can start learning Oracle Database 12c and pass the 1Z0-061 “Oracle Database 12c: SQL Fundamentals” and 1Z0-062 “Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration” exams.

Why Become Oracle Certified?

The number one reason to become OCA or OCP certified is to gain more visibility and greater access to the industry’s most challenging opportunities. Oracle certification is the best way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in Oracle database systems. Preparing for the certification exam may be the best time spent on your career because you learn the tasks that are necessary to be successful as a DBA.

Certification is proof of your knowledge and shows that you have the skills required to support Oracle core products. The Oracle certification program can help a company identify proven performers who have demonstrated their skills and who can support the company’s investment in Oracle technology. It demonstrates that you have a solid understanding of your job role and the Oracle products used in that role.

The certification tests are scenario-based, which is the most effective way to assess your hands-on expertise and critical problem-solving skills. OCPs are among the best paid in the IT industry. Salary surveys consistently show the OCP certification to yield higher salaries than the other certifications, including Microsoft, Novell, and Cisco.

So, whether you are beginning a career, changing careers, securing your present position, or seeking to refine and promote your position, this book is for you!

Oracle Certifications

Oracle certifications follow a track that is oriented toward a job role. The primary certification tracks are Database, Applications, Java, Enterprise Management, Virtualization, and Operating Systems. Within each track, Oracle has a tiered certification program of OCA and OCP. Only the Database track has OCM. The Database track is clearly for the Database Administrator job role.

For the latest certification information on all of Oracle certification paths, please visit the Oracle website at http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=39&p_org_id=1001&lang=US.

The role of database administrator (DBA) has become a key to success in today’s highly complex database systems. The best DBAs work behind the scenes, but are in the spotlight when critical issues arise. They plan, create, maintain, and ensure that the database is available for the business, most importantly, DBAs troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve issues. They have tools to proactively monitor the database for performance issues and to prevent unscheduled downtime. The DBA’s job requires a broad understanding of the architecture of an Oracle database and expertise in solving problems.

Sybex has Oracle certification study guides for the Database track. The following sections will introduce you to the different tiers in the Oracle Database 12c certification track.

Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate

The Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) credential is the first step toward achieving the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) certification. OCA shows that you have the fundamental knowledge and skills to support an Oracle Database 12c database. This certification requires you to pass two exams that demonstrate your Oracle basics:

• 1Z0-061: Oracle Database 12c: SQL Fundamentals
• 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration

If you have already passed any one of the following tests, you need not take the 1Z0-061 exam. You only need to pass the 1Z0-062.

• 1Z0-051: Oracle Database 11g SQL Fundamentals I
• 1Z0-047: Oracle Database SQL Expert

The 1Z0-061 exam can be taken at a testing location or from your home using the Internet. The 1Z0-062 test is offered at a Pearson Vue facility.

To register for the test, visit Pearson Vue at http://www.pearsonvue.com.

Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional

The Oracle Certified Professional credential shows that you have the skill and technical expertise to manage and implement enterprise databases. The OCP tier challenges you to demonstrate your continuing experience and knowledge of Oracle technologies. The OCP test will measure your knowledge in setting up and managing multitenant architecture databases and in backup and recovery. The Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional certification requires you to have the OCA certification as well as to pass the following exam.

• 1Z0-063: Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration

In addition, the OCP candidate must take one instructor-led Oracle university hands-on requirement class.

You should verify the list of approved hands-on courses at the Oracle Education website at http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=244#5.

Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Master

The highest level of certification available in any track is the Oracle Certified Master. The OCM certification credential shows that you have the highest level of expertise in an Oracle product. To become a certified master, you must first achieve OCP status and then complete two advanced instructor-led classes at an Oracle Education facility. You must also pass a hands-on examination at an Oracle Education facility. At the time of writing this book, the Oracle Database 12c Certified Master Exam is not released.

More Information and Resources

You can find most current information about Oracle certification at http://education.oracle.com/certification. You may be asked to choose the country of residence before being directed to the site. Follow the links under Certifications to choose the track and learn more.

Choose the Database track to view the different certification versions available. Choose Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate, and then click on the test to find out more about the test contents, the objectives covered in the test, the passing score, and to register for the test.

The Oracle documentation is available online at http://tahiti.oracle.com. Oracle documentation contains a wealth of information, which can be used to supplement what you learn from this book.

Oracle provides training series with step-by-step instructions to perform a variety of Oracle Database 12c tasks. The Oracle by Example (OBE) tutorial can be found at http://apex.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=44785:1.

Oracle Technology Network (http://www.oracle.com/technology/index.html) is a great resource for database administrators and developers. You can read articles; view sample code; access documentation; participate in forums; and most importantly, download Oracle Database 12c, Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c, and other Oracle products.

OCA/OCP Study Guides

The Oracle Database 12c Administration track certification consists of three tests: two for OCA and one for OCP. Sybex offers study guides to help you achieve OCA and OCP certification.

• OCA: Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate Study Guide (9781118643952) – Covers exams 1Z0-061: Oracle Database 12c: SQL Fundamentals and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration.
• OCP: Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional Study Guide (9781118644072) – Covers exam 1Z0-063: Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration.

These two books are offered in a boxed set as OCP: Oracle Certified Professional on Oracle Database 12c Certification Kit (9781118957684).

Oracle Exam...