Database Fundamentals Certification

The Database Design Fundamentals Certification is a comprehensive program designed to equip web developers and DBAs with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the field of database design and management. This certification covers a wide range of topics, including SQL best practices, security, SQL JOINs, SQL Grouping and aggregation, Unions, advanced SQL topics, indexing, performance, scaling, and various database design topics and techniques. By completing this certification, developers will be well-prepared to create efficient, secure, and scalable databases that meet the needs of modern web applications.

The exam will cover various topics, but many questions will involve analysing SQL queries. All queries are written in MySQL-compatible SQL, so you should be familiar with this syntax before undertaking the exam.

Assessment Topics

The following topics will be covered in the exam. Please note that the order of topics may vary, and we frequently rotate questions so not all topics will be available in every exam. You should ensure you're comfortable with all topics listed below.

1. SQL Best Practices

In this section, you will showcase the industry-standard best practices for writing clean, efficient, and maintainable SQL code. You will not be required to write code, but you will be shown SQL queries and be asked to identify flaws or issues. Topics covered include naming conventions, code formatting, proper use of functions, and efficient query construction. By following these best practices, developers and DBAs can ensure that their databases perform optimally and are easily understood by other team members.

2. Security

Database security is a critical aspect of any web application. This certification covers essential security measures that developers and DBAs must implement to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and potential threats. Topics include data encryption, authentication, access control, secure coding practices, and techniques for preventing SQL injection attacks.

3. SQL JOINs

Understanding SQL JOINs is crucial for retrieving data from multiple tables in a relational database. In this section, you will be assessed on various types of JOINs, such as INNER JOIN, OUTER JOIN, and CROSS JOIN, as well as their appropriate use cases. By mastering SQL JOINs, developers can efficiently retrieve and manipulate data from complex database structures.

4. SQL Grouping and Aggregation

This certification covers the use of GROUP BY and aggregation functions in SQL to summarize and analyze datasets. You will show your understanding and ability to use functions like COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, and MAX to perform calculations on grouped data, as well as more advanced techniques like using HAVING to filter aggregated results.

5. Unions

Unions are an essential SQL feature that allows developers and DBAs to combine the result sets of multiple SELECT statements. In this section, candidates will show how to use UNION and UNION ALL to merge data from different tables and queries, as well as the differences between these two operations. You will not be expected to write raw SQL, but the exam will test your understanding of these topics.

6. Advanced SQL Topics

The certification delves into advanced SQL topics, such as subqueries, common table expressions (CTEs), views, transactions and recursive queries. By mastering these advanced techniques, developers and DBAs can write more efficient and powerful SQL queries to solve complex data manipulation challenges. Although these topics are broad in scope, you will only need a basic understanding of them to pass the exam due to this being a fundamentals level exam.

7. Indexing

Indexing is a crucial aspect of database performance optimization. In this section, you will show how you understand the importance of indexes, how to create and manage them, and the various types of indexes, such as clustered, non-clustered, and covering indexes. By understanding indexing, developers and DBAs can significantly improve the performance of their database queries and allow applications to scale.

8. Performance

Database performance is a critical concern for any application, either web or offline. This certification covers various techniques and best practices for optimizing database performance, such as query optimization, proper indexing, and performance monitoring tools. You will need to understand how to diagnose and address performance bottlenecks to ensure their databases run smoothly and efficiently.

9. Scaling

As web applications grow, so do their database requirements. In this section, you will show how to use various strategies for scaling databases, such as vertical and horizontal scaling, sharding, partitioning, and replication. By understanding these scaling techniques, developers can ensure that their databases can handle increased load and continue to perform optimally.

As this is a fundamentals-level assessment you will only need a basic understanding of scaling in order to receive a pass grade.

10. Database Design Topics and Techniques

The certification covers a wide range of database design topics and techniques, such as normalization, de-normalization, and schema design. You will need to show understanding of the basic principles of normalization, as well as when to apply each approach for optimal database performance and maintainability. The assessment also covers best practices for designing database schemas, including table structure, relationships, and data constraints. By understanding these design principles, developers and DBAs can create efficient, flexible, and robust database systems that meet the needs of their web applications.

Upon completion of the Database Design Fundamentals Certification, you will have shown a thorough understanding of the principles and techniques involved in creating and managing high-performance, secure, and scalable databases. This certification not only helps developers and DBAs enhance their skillset but also boosts their professional credibility in the competitive job market. By gaining this certification, web developers will be well-equipped to design and manage databases for modern web applications and contribute effectively to their development teams.

Who is this certification for?

The Database Design Fundamentals Certification is perfect for:

• Database administrators (DBAs) with experience in their field looking to showcase their knowledge.
• Web developers with database-level experience beyond basic ORM experience, who wish to showcase their skills.
• Agencies who wish to showcase their developers' experience and knowledge to clients.
• DBAs or developers who wish to showcase their knowledge to potential employers or clients.

What happens after I pass the exam?

If you pass the exam you will receive a badge on your profile that showcases your achievement. You will be able to share the badge across any platform you wish, including social media, your website, or your resume. You can include a link back to your profile which will show your accreditation pass date, along with all other accreditations you have achieved with us.

What happens if I fail the exam?

You can take the exam as many times as you wish. We ask that if you fail the exam you wait at least 24 hours and spend time revising the topics you struggled with before taking the exam again.