Raul Gonzalez Interview

After 10 weeks (or almost weekly) of corrupt databases, missing data and a challenging competition the Database Corruption Challenge, finally comes to an end. As part of the last week of the challenge I created a short blog interview for the participants. This interview is with Raul Gonzalez.

Raul placed third (in a tie) overall in the Database Corruption Challenge behind Rob Farley, and André Kamman.

Here are the statistics for Raul in the Database Corruption Challenge

Overall Rank: #3
Points Scored: 21
Number of Challenges First to Solve (winning): 2
Number of Challenges Solved: 8
Country: Spanish living in the UK

What compelled you to want to participate in the Database Corruption Challenge?

Raul: Once the first challenge had finished I learned about it first on LinkedIn and then from Brent Ozar.

What did you find the most interesting in the Database Corruption Challenge?

Raul: The challenge itself, being able to fix something unexpected in a given time frame, regardless of the time, your mood that day… like work but without a check at the end of the month… And competing with MVP, MCM and lot of other knowledgeable professionals.

What did you learn in the Database Corruption Challenge?

Raul: I’ve learned a lot of SQL Server internals, I just become a DBA a couple of years ago after more than 10 years as database developer using Ingres (back in the day), DB2 and SQL Server (since 2009). So for me it’s been a lot of learning in high doses, including videos, blog posts, books and more or less any source, including other people’s solutions. (Next month company’s paying for Paul Randal’s Immersion course in London, I’ll have lot more questions for him and Kim. Just awesome!)

How many weeks did you participate in the Database Corruption Challenge?

Raul: 9 weeks, although I messed up one with the time zones and sent my solution after the dealine (week 3). So I scored 8 weeks.

Any suggestions to those who might want to give some of the 10 Database Corruption Challenge examples a try?

Raul: Well, read a lot (Paul Randal specially, not the solutions for the challenges themselves) and take it seriously as it was real work where you can get fired (or at least to look really bad for your boss)

What is your twitter handle, and your linked in url (if you have either)?

Raul: Twitter @SQLDoubleG, Raul Gonzalez on linkedin, we’re already connected :)

Raul Gonzalez Interview – Database Corruption Challenge