4 New DBA Books Reshaping Database Administration in 2025

Tony CL Chan is a certified PostgreSQL DBA who draws on years of hands-on experience to tackle common yet critical challenges such as query performance bottlenecks, configuration pitfalls, and database downtime. You’ll find detailed guidance on mastering the latest PostgreSQL v17 features, from advanced indexing techniques to high availability and streaming replication. The book offers over 150 best practices and covers practical topics like upgrading between versions, managing diverse data types, and securing your database environment. If you want to elevate your PostgreSQL skills beyond basics and handle real-world DBA scenarios confidently, this guide lays out the essential tools and insights you'll need.

Drawing from their extensive experience with Oracle environments, Michelle Malcher and Darl Kuhn deliver a thorough guide that brings you up to speed with Oracle Database 23c, blending on-premises and cloud administration. You’ll explore how to maintain database stability, optimize performance, and handle emerging tasks like managing converged databases and machine learning features integrated into Oracle. For instance, the book dives into managing time-based tables without cumbersome triggers and navigating the transition to cloud infrastructures including Autonomous Database services. If you’re a DBA aiming to expand your role into data management and analytics within modern hybrid and multi-cloud settings, this book offers clear, focused insights tailored to those challenges.

This tailored book delves into the breakthrough 2025 DBA techniques transforming the database administration landscape. It explores emerging developments such as PostgreSQL v17 enhancements, Oracle 23c converged databases, and advanced cloud-native deployment practices. By focusing on your interests and background, this personalized guide matches the rapid evolution of DBA roles, addressing challenges like hybrid cloud strategies, data analytics integration, and real-world operational demands. The book examines new tools and discoveries with enthusiasm, providing a custom learning experience that helps you stay ahead in this fast-changing field. It reveals insights directly relevant to your goals, fostering a deeper understanding of cutting-edge DBA practices for immediate impact.

Michael E Kirshteyn Ph.D's decades of experience in SQL Server database administration led to this detailed guide, crafted to enhance both your foundational and advanced skills. You’ll learn to monitor database health using specific tools, manage backups and restores securely, and implement effective security protocols including user permissions and auditing. The book also covers performance tuning techniques, capacity planning, and automation of routine tasks with SQL Server Agent jobs. Whether you're refining your troubleshooting abilities or aiming to boost productivity through better documentation and collaboration, this book provides a structured path to mastering the role of a SQL Server DBA.

Divit Gupta challenges the conventional wisdom that mastering Oracle Database 21c requires years of experience by presenting a focused guide on installing and optimizing it specifically on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Compute. You learn to navigate initial setup with tools like the Setup Wizard and Configuration Assistant, then move into creating container databases and fine-tuning performance in cloud environments. The book also covers securing your data and troubleshooting, providing practical insights into Oracle’s evolving cloud deployment landscape. If you're an aspiring DBA or IT professional eager to harness Oracle 21c’s capabilities in cloud infrastructure, this book offers a clear path without unnecessary complexity.