Database developer

Database developers program, implement and coordinate changes to computer databases based on their expertise in database management systems.

Excludes people performing managerial activities.

Database developers typically do the following tasks:

• Collaborate with stakeholders, including software developers, analysts, and business users, to gather requirements for database design and functionality.
• Design and create database schemas that accurately represent the data structure and relationships, ensuring optimal data organization.
• Develop SQL queries, stored procedures, functions, and triggers to interact with databases and retrieve, update, or manipulate data.
• Implement indexing and optimization techniques to enhance database performance and response times.
• Create and maintain data models, ER diagrams, and documentation that provide a clear overview of the database structure.
• Perform data normalization and denormalization to achieve data integrity and reduce redundancy.
• Ensure data security by implementing access controls, user roles, and encryption mechanisms to safeguard sensitive information.
• Monitor database performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize queries to enhance system efficiency.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to data integrity, data corruption, and database connectivity.
• Develop and maintain database backup and recovery strategies to prevent data loss and ensure business continuity.
• Collaborate with application developers to integrate databases with software applications, ensuring seamless data flow and synchronization.
• Keep up to date with emerging database technologies and trends to recommend improvements and innovative solutions.
• Test and validate database functionality, perform data migrations, and ensure successful deployment of database systems.
• Provide technical support and assistance to end-users and stakeholders, helping them troubleshoot database-related issues.
• Participate in code reviews and quality assurance processes to ensure high-quality and reliable database implementations.
• Plan and execute data migration, transformation, and integration projects as part of system upgrades or migrations.
• Maintain awareness of data privacy regulations and compliance requirements to ensure databases adhere to legal standards.

The following job titles also refer to database developer:

database programmer
database development engineer
database design specialist
database coder
data base developer
database developers
data base developers

Database developers typically work in office environments, collaborating with other IT professionals and stakeholders. They may work full-time as part of an IT team or be employed by software development companies, corporations, government agencies, or consulting firms. The work may involve occasional off-hours support to address critical database issues or perform maintenance tasks.

To become a database developer, individuals often hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Proficiency in database management systems (DBMS) such as MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL is essential. Many database developers acquire certifications related to specific DBMS technologies. Practical experience in database development, SQL programming, and data modeling is highly valuable and can be gained through internships, coursework, or entry-level positions.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Database developer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to database developer.

system configurator
database integrator
database designer
software tester
data warehouse designer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of database developer.

• Resource description framework query language: Query languages such as SPARQL are used to retrieve and manipulate data stored in Resource Description Framework format (RDF).
• Query languages: The field of standardised computer languages for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information.
• Data extraction, transformation, and loading tools: The tools for the integration of information from multiple applications, created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure.
• Database development tools: The methodologies and tools used for creating the logical and physical structures of databases, such as logical data structures, diagrams, modelling methodologies and entity relationships.
• Data storage: The physical and technical concepts of how digital data storage is organised in specific schemes both locally, such as hard drives and random-access memories (RAM), and remotely, via network, internet, or cloud.
• Database management systems: The tools for creating, updating, and managing databases, such as Oracle, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server.
• Data quality assessment: The process of revealing data issues using ​quality indicators, measures, and metrics in order to plan data cleansing and data enrichment strategies according to data quality criteria.

These skills are necessary for the role of database developer.

• Identify customer requirements: Apply techniques and tools, such as surveys, questionnaires, ICT applications, for eliciting, defining, analysing, documenting and maintaining user requirements from systems, services or products.
• Write database documentation: Develop documentation containing information about the database that is relevant to end users.
• Collect customer feedback on applications: Gather a response and analyse data from customers to identify requests or problems in order to improve applications and overall customer satisfaction.
• Interpret technical texts: Read and understand technical texts that provide information on how to perform a task, usually explained in steps.
• Apply information security policies: Implement policies, methods and regulations for data and information security in order to respect confidentiality, integrity and availability principles.
• Balance database resources: Stabilise the workload and resources of a database by controlling the demand of transactions, allocating disk spaces and ensuring the reliability of the servers in order to optimise cost and risk ratio.
• Report analysis results: Produce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as potential interpretations of the results.
• Perform backups: Implement backup procedures to backup data and systems to ensure permanent and reliable system operation. Execute data backups in order to secure information by copying and archiving to ensure integrity during system integration and after data loss occurrence.
• Estimate duration of work: Produce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfill future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given project.
• Test ICT queries: Assess that developed queries return and execute correct actions and data.
• Create data models: Use specific techniques and methodologies to analyse the data requirements of an organisation’s business processes in order to create models for these data, such as conceptual, logical and physical models. These models have a specific structure and format.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of database developer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Haskell: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing, and compiling of programming paradigms in Haskell.
• Erlang: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing, and compiling of programming paradigms in Erlang.
• Sas language: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAS language.
• Ruby (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Ruby.
• Common Lisp: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Common Lisp.
• Lisp: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Lisp.
• Informatica PowerCenter: The computer program Informatica PowerCenter is a tool for the integration of information from multiple applications created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure developed by the software company Informatica.
• Visual Studio .NET: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Visual Basic.
• IBM InfoSphere DataStage: The computer program IBM InfoSphere DataStage is a tool for the integration of information from multiple applications, created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure, developed by the software company IBM.
• Java (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Java.
• MDX: The computer language MDX is a query language for retrieving information from a database and documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the software company Microsoft.
• Computer programming: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms (e.g. object-oriented programming, functional programming) and of programming languages.
• Oracle warehouse builder: The computer program Oracle Warehouse Builder is a tool for integration of information from multiple applications, created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure, developed by the software company Oracle.
• Prolog (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Prolog.
• OpenEdge Advanced Business Language: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in OpenEdge Advanced Business Language.
• Oracle data integrator: The computer program Oracle Data Integrator is a tool for integration of information from multiple applications, created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure, developed by the software company Oracle.
• JavaScript: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in JavaScript.
• DB2: The computer program IBM DB2 is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company IBM.
• Microsoft Access: The computer program Access is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Microsoft.
• XQuery: The computer language XQuery is a query language for retrieving information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the international standards organisation World Wide Web Consortium.
• Perl: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Perl.
• Pentaho data integration: The computer program Pentaho Data Integration is a tool for integration of information from multiple applications, created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure, developed by the software company Pentaho.
• Smalltalk (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Smalltalk.
• PHP: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in PHP.
• OpenEdge Database: The computer program OpenEdge Database is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Progress Software Corporation.
• Assembly (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Assembly.
• ObjectStore: The computer program ObjectStore is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Object Design, Incorporated.
• C#: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C#.
• MySQL: The computer program MySQL is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, currently developed by the software company Oracle.
• R: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in R.
• Groovy: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Groovy.
• ASP.NET: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ASP.NET.
• APL: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in APL.
• SPARQL: The computer language SPARQL is a query language for the retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the international standards organisation World Wide Web Consortium.
• SQL Server Integration Services: The computer program SQL Server Integration Services is a tool for integration of information from multiple applications, created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure, developed by the software company Microsoft.
• IBM InfoSphere Information Server: The software program IBM InfoSphere Information Server is a platform for the integration of information from multiple applications, created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure, developed by the software company IBM.
• Microsoft Visual C++: The computer program Visual C++ is a suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface. It is developed by the software company Microsoft.
• IBM Informix: The computer program IBM Informix is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company IBM.
• TypeScript: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in TypeScript.
• QlikView Expressor: The computer program QlikView Expressor is a tool for the integration of information from multiple applications, created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure, developed by the software company Qlik.
• CoffeeScript: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in CoffeeScript.
• Objective-C: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Objective-C.
• ML (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ML.
• LDAP: The computer language LDAP is a query language for the retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information.
• PostgreSQL: The computer program PostgreSQL is a free and open-source software tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the PostgreSQL Global Development Group.
• Ajax: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in AJAX.
• C++: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C++.
• FileMaker (database management systems): The computer program FileMaker is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company FileMaker Inc.
• SAP R3: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAP R3.
• Swift (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Swift.
• SQL Server: The computer program SQL Server is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Microsoft.
• Matlab: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in MATLAB.
• CA Datacom/DB: The computer program CA Datacom/DB is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, currently developed by the software company CA Technologies.
• LINQ: The computer language LINQ is a query language for the retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the software company Microsoft.
• Python (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Python.
• ICT infrastructure: The system, network, hardware and software applications and components, as well as devices and processes that are used in order to develop, test, deliver, monitor, control or support ICT services.
• Scratch (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scratch.
• Teradata Database: The computer program Teradata Database is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Teradata Corporation.
• VBScript: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in VBScript.
• Oracle Relational Database: The computer program Oracle Rdb is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Oracle.
• COBOL: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in COBOL.
• Hardware architectures: The designs laying out the physical hardware components and their interconnections.
• Pascal (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Pascal.
• ABAP: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ABAP.
• N1QL: The computer language N1QL is a query language for the retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the software company Couchbase.
• ICT power consumption: The energy consumption and types of models of software as well as hardware elements.
• SAP Data Services: The computer program SAP Data Services is a tool for the integration of information from multiple applications created and maintained by organisations, into one consistent and transparent data structure, developed by the software company SAP.
• Scala: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scala.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of database developer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Create solutions to problems: Solve problems that arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
• Use software design patterns: Utilise reusable solutions, formalised best practices, to solve common ICT development tasks in software development and design.
• Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
• Manage business knowledge: Set up structures and distribution policies to enable or improve information exploitation using appropriate tools to extract, create and expand business mastery.
• Perform data mining: Explore large datasets to reveal patterns using statistics, database systems or artificial intelligence and present the information in a comprehensible way.
• Execute ICT audits: Organise and execute audits in order to evaluate ICT systems, compliance of components of systems, information processing systems and information security. Identify and collect potential critical issues and recommend solutions based on required standards and solutions.
• Execute software tests: Perform tests to ensure that a software product will perform flawlessly under the specified customer requirements, using specialised software tools. Apply software testing techniques and tools in order to identify software defects (bugs) and malfunctions.
• Address problems critically: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.
• Execute integration testing: Perform testing of system or software components grouped in multiple ways to evaluate their ability to interconnect, their interface and their ability to provide global functionality.
• Integrate system components: Select and use integration techniques and tools to plan and implement integration of hardware and software modules and components in a system. Apply specific testing techniques to ensure integrity during system integration.
• Verify formal ICT specifications: Check capabilities, correctness and efficiency of intended algorithm or system to match certain formal specifications.
• Identify ICT security risks: Apply methods and techniques to identify potential security threats, security breaches and risk factors using ICT tools for surveying ICT systems, analysing risks, vulnerabilities and threats and evaluating contingency plans.

2521 – Database designers and administrators

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References

1. Database developer – ESCO
2. How to Become a Database Developer: The Definitive Guide – Database Star
3. How to Become a Database Developer: a Complete Career Guide – Discover Data Science
4. Featured image: Photo by Sergei Starostin