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Yeah, I was never aware of a sysadmin who couldn't code. Generally, a sysadmin has slightly different skills from a developer - they might code in a highly imp

Yeah, I was never aware of a sysadmin who couldn't code. Generally, a sysadmin has slightly different skills from a developer - they might code in a highly imperative style and always keeping the actual machine/system being targeted in mind, but I've never known a half-decent sysadmin who cannot write code.

dsr_ 12y ago
The last time I looked for a senior sysadmin -- less than a year ago -- I didn't get anyone who was comfortable programming in Perl/Python/Ruby until I started using the term DevOps. If that's the term the market wants to use, fine. As far as I'm concerned, a senior sysadmin who can't write in a couple of scripting languages isn't senior.
- collyw 12y ago
  I consider myself a developer (though I call myself software engineer, due to the incompetence of other "developers" I work with). I know a reasonable amount of sysadmin (all my computers run Linux primarily, I only keep Windows on for checking hardware issues, and a couple of specific apps I need to run once or twice a year). I wouldn't apply for sysadmin jobs, because I wouldn't feel my knowledge is enough. I have however seen devops jobs that seem to match my skillset - developer with a bit more. I hadn't really heard of the term until I saw the job ad.
- rmc 12y ago
  There's a difference between "Can cobble together some python" and "knows how to use a python package from pypi"
ErrantX 12y ago
Agreed. In my experience a senior sysadmin can work as a above-passable developer. But a senior developer can rarely function as a sysadmin. As to DBA; I can't help but feeling that the OP hasn't worked with "real" DBA's. That's a whole different ballpark and I've yet to meet a sysadmin or developer who can make even a passable DBA. I've always thought the hierarchy goes: DBA -> Ops -> Developers. With the last two really about equals.
- dvanduzer 12y ago
  ...you've never met a sysadmin that took an algebra class in college?
- collyw 12y ago
  Thing is a good DBA is probably better than a crap developer. And a good developer is probably better than a crap DBA. Likewise with Sysadmins. When I think about expected earnings, I would say your hierarchy is correct.

dsr_ 12y ago

The last time I looked for a senior sysadmin -- less than a year ago -- I didn't get anyone who was comfortable programming in Perl/Python/Ruby until I started using the term DevOps. If that's the term the market wants to use, fine. As far as I'm concerned, a senior sysadmin who can't write in a couple of scripting languages isn't senior.

collyw 12y ago
I consider myself a developer (though I call myself software engineer, due to the incompetence of other "developers" I work with). I know a reasonable amount of sysadmin (all my computers run Linux primarily, I only keep Windows on for checking hardware issues, and a couple of specific apps I need to run once or twice a year). I wouldn't apply for sysadmin jobs, because I wouldn't feel my knowledge is enough. I have however seen devops jobs that seem to match my skillset - developer with a bit more. I hadn't really heard of the term until I saw the job ad.
rmc 12y ago
There's a difference between "Can cobble together some python" and "knows how to use a python package from pypi"

ErrantX 12y ago

Agreed. In my experience a senior sysadmin can work as a above-passable developer. But a senior developer can rarely function as a sysadmin. As to DBA; I can't help but feeling that the OP hasn't worked with "real" DBA's. That's a whole different ballpark and I've yet to meet a sysadmin or developer who can make even a passable DBA. I've always thought the hierarchy goes: DBA -> Ops -> Developers. With the last two really about equals.

dvanduzer 12y ago
...you've never met a sysadmin that took an algebra class in college?
collyw 12y ago
Thing is a good DBA is probably better than a crap developer. And a good developer is probably better than a crap DBA. Likewise with Sysadmins. When I think about expected earnings, I would say your hierarchy is correct.