8i vs 9i and classes

[Mark Spritzler]

Hi Guys, I wanted to get your opinion.
My company is now going to send me to get DBA certified and take all the classes from Oracle.
Well, I am going to sign up to UC Irvine Extension classes so that I can take them at night and on Saturdays.
Here's my dilemna. UCI currently is using 8i until January. That means that my first two classes, Introduction to SQL and PL/SQL and Part1 Administration and Maintenance will be using 8i, then the final three class will be on 9i.
FOr those first two classes is there much difference between 8i and 9i such that I will be missing alot on Administration and Maintenance on 9i.
Our company is currently on 9i, the first 9i release.
Thanks
Mark

[Beksy Kurian]

Mark,
9i conforms to sql 99 standards. Therefore you will see some changes in the syntax or commands. From the exam point of view, I heard that 9i sql exam is comparatively easier than 8i sql/pl/sql exam. There are some changes in the administration course too. But I don't think it is very significant. If you can get a documentation/tutorial from Oracle site about the 9i new features, that will do.
I attended 9i performance tuning class last month and learned that they are going to change the books again to accommodate 9i release 2 features(eg: streams) to the course. We could glance through the new feature slides for 5 minutes. It is expected to be released in 2 or 3 months.
You still can take 8i sql/pl/sql exam as a first exam for the 9i DBA track.
As a second option, you can take 8i DBA exams and take an additional exam to cover the new features.
Regards
Beksy
[ August 29, 2002: Message edited by: Beksy Kurian ]

[Mark Spritzler]

Thanks Beksy. I knew you would know.

Mark

[SJ Adnams]

You can take the 8i SQL/PL/SQL exam then take the other 3 9i exams and gain OCP.
As far as SQL is concerned the only difference (8i/9i) is the new ANSI join syntax. And in 9i 1st release it's broken so you should not use these joins in production anyhow.
Having 8i & 9i material may confuse you a little since nomenclature has changed a little, things like MTS have been renamed. The new 9i admin stuff is really just OMF, on which you only get a few questions.
Performance tuning exam isn't released yet.. so would be a little premature to comment.
Simon

[Mark Spritzler]

Thanks Simon
Mark