Database Engineering & Data Systems Topics
Database design patterns, optimization, scaling strategies, storage technologies, data warehousing, and operational database management. Covers database selection criteria, query optimization, replication strategies, distributed databases, backup and recovery, and performance tuning at database layer. Distinct from Systems Architecture (which addresses service-level distribution) and Data Science (which addresses analytical approaches).
SQL Server
SQL Server relational database management system (RDBMS); covers installation and configuration, T-SQL programming, indexing and query optimization, data modeling, data types, transaction handling, backup and recovery, replication, high availability (Always On), security, maintenance, and administration tasks specific to SQL Server.
Database and Application Forensics
This topic assesses skills for recovering and interpreting evidence stored at the application and database layers. Candidates should understand database internals such as transaction logs, binary and write ahead logs, and techniques for restoring or carving deleted records. Evaluation includes parsing application specific storage formats, reconstructing user actions from API and audit logs, handling cloud hosted and distributed databases, and coordinating with engineering to retrieve durable artifacts. Candidates should also discuss challenges such as replication, eventual consistency, and legal constraints around retention and privacy.