Updated May 3, 2023
Introduction to Careers in PL/SQL
In this era of ever-evolving data, using the correct set of query languages to process the data meaningfully becomes necessary. PL/SQL, known as Programming Languages in Structured Query Language, is an advanced language that consists of the procedural features of SQL. Oracle developed it in the early 90s to enhance the capabilities of SQL. This multi-block structured language can work like any other programming language and provides a rich set of features like iterative statements, conditional statements, arrays, strings, collections, triggers, functions, procedures, etc. On the other hand, SQL performs operations on records, such as inserting, updating, creating, deleting records, modifying and dropping tables, etc. In this article, we will read about careers in PL/SQL you can expect if you choose SQL.
Education Required to Build Careers in PL/SQL
There is no prerequisite as such for learning this language. It is generally recommended for people with an essential background in databases, source codes, some level of essential programming languages, text editors, program execution, etc. You will not have difficulty learning this language even if you are new to all the technologies mentioned above. We recommend that you have a background before enrolling in this course.
Career Path in PL/SQL
Once you choose to opt for your career in PL/SQL, your job as a developer will be to write SQL-based queries so that the performance of the database can be improved significantly. You will also be required to analyze the data results and provide solutions, suggestions to end customers, and document creation.
You will be expected to have:
- In-depth knowledge of Oracle database, its tools, and utilities.
- A good understanding of programming constructs, procedures, packages, triggers, and query writing.
- Sound knowledge of the software development life cycle and should be able to follow standard processes such as code review and creating/executing unit-level test cases.
- Should be able to design and implement ETL solutions and processes.
- Should be able to create data models, design, and implementation.
- Should be able to performance-tune the SQL queries.
You can also start working on SQL server-based queries by managing client-side developer queries. So, your career path can transform into providing cloud solutions and support.
Over time, you can also see yourself getting transformed into a newer technology set, as working over programming languages would not be a challenge.
You can see your careers in PL/SQL transforming into solution-level and data-level architects apart from just DBA (database architect). You will be well aware of the ground-level functioning of a functionality or a piece of code.
Suppose you feel like taking a break from programming languages and coding. In that case, you can also consider switching your domain into an analyst role where the outputs produced are worked upon, and future business insights can be generated using analytical tools.
When you work with PL/SQL, which is Oracle’s technology, you allow yourself to work on every domain the giant Oracle offers.
You may also end up working as a full-stack developer, as your roles and responsibilities can range from managing the back end to the front end of the application.
If you excel in UNIX, you can transition your graph into the security domain or become a tech operation analyst.
You can also see yourself transitioning into many NoSQL database developer roles as the increase in big data technologies has demanded the use of NoSQL databases more than traditional RDBMS.
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Job Positions
The primary role one can expect by opting for PL/SQL is the developer role.
Other positions to consider are:
- Analyst Role
- Unix Developer/Administrator
- DBA
- PL/SQL Performance Optimization Developer
- Pro*c Developer
- SQL Developer
- PL/SQL Administrator
- ETL Developer
- Informatica Developer
- DB2 Professional
Application Areas
Here is some field of application which covers:
1. Medical Field
One of the major application areas where PL/SQL has benefited is in the field of medicine. Let us understand this with the help of an example. Let us say all the health-related institutions want to extract the data of all the patients going through a particular disease and whether they are taking appropriate care and precautions to alleviate the disease or if they could be allowed to consume a specific food. In that case, all that institution needs to do is create a PL/SQL construct and apply the query on the database with the matching parameters, and it will obtain the result of all those patients who fall in that category. This would be a very tough task with simple SQL statements, but with advanced programming languages technique, this could be made possible.
2. Banking Institutions
Let us say; the bank wants to set an automatic trigger for all the customers who have maintained less than a fixed sum of money in their savings bank account with the message, “Your account has an amount which is less than the standard minimum limit. Please credit to avoid minimum balance failure penalties”. This can be made possible with the help of triggers in PL/SQL, which is not the case with SQL, as SQL does not provide complex processing capabilities as PL/SQL does.
Likewise, there are thousands of use cases where PL/SQL can be used efficiently, especially where an IF/THEN/ELSE scenario occurs. You can also do complex MATH operations, which is impossible in simple DDL and DML-level SQL statements.
Salary
PL/SQL developers’ salary depends on the geographic location. Still, according to most companies in the United States, it averages $90,927/year, ranging from $85,000 in Boston, MA, to $110000 in New York, NY.
In a nutshell, if you have made your way through PL/SQL and invested your time in getting expertise in PL/SQL, then you have made the right choice. You can always look to diversify your portfolio and enhance your skill set to survive and compete to be in a better place. Careers in PL/SQL get endless opportunities if you are the best in what you do. Updating your skills and looking for a more challenging and dynamic role is always recommended. Stay tuned to our blog for more articles.
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