Today a junior DBA asked me about the files with the .STB extension were for. Then I realized that other DBAs out there may not know what the .STB files are for and what creates them. The .STB files stand for STand By (STB). These files are created when a database is restored with the RESTORE DATABASE command with the clause WITH STAND BY. This statement puts the database in “Stand By Mode” and allows for further backups to be restored.

The caveat here is… when your bring a database online from standby mode the .STB file is sometimes deleted… sometimes it is not. So after you execute the following statement:

RESTORE DATABASE <database name>
WITH RECOVERY

You might still see the file <database name>.stb after the database is brought online. If you still see the file… then you can go ahead and delete the file after the database has been brought online.

Hello and welcome back again…

After a little break I thought of what else people would be interested in and I thought about education. In my years of experience I have not seen an employer “want” or more to the point “request” a person that has an MCDBA. Employers seem to “want” people with “real world” experience as opposed to a “paper” DBA. Now the credential is a great idea by Microsoft and I am sure the certification gives employers the “warm fuzzies”. I can see the MCDBA helping a beginner obtaining a junior level DBA position or a seasoned DBA to getting a promotion.

I am all for education and getting as much as you possibly can. Not only does it benefit the employer indirectly but benefits YOU! I definitely believe the cost of the exams are worth it because it will benefit you in the long run. If you ever go for a job and it is between you and another candidate with the same experience chances are the employer will pick you because of the certification.

Let me know your take or opinion on the MCDBA certification!