In This Tutorial
This Tutorial is organized to optimize your learning of the topics covered by the SCJP Java 6 exam. Whenever possible, we've organized the chapters to parallel the Sun objectives, but sometimes we'll mix up objectives or partially repeat them in order to present topics in an order better suited to learning the material.
In Every Chapter
We've created a set of chapter components that call your attention to important items, reinforce important points, and provide helpful exam-taking hints. Take a look at what you'll find in every chapter:
Introduction to the Material in the Tutorial
The Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) exam is considered one of the hardest in the IT industry, and we can tell you from experience that a large chunk of exam candidates go in to the test unprepared. As programmers, we tend to learn only what we need to complete our current project, given the insane deadlines we're usually under.
But this exam attempts to prove your complete understanding of the Java language, not just the parts of it you've become familiar with in your work.
Experience alone will rarely get you through this exam with a passing mark, because even the things you think you know might work just a little different than you imagined. It isn't enough to be able to get your code to work correctly; you must understand the core fundamentals in a deep way, and with enough breadth to cover virtually anything that could crop up in the course of using the language.
The Sun Certified Developer Exam is unique to the IT certification realm, because it actually evaluates your skill as a developer rather than simply your knowledge of the language or tools. Becoming a Certified Java Developer is, by definition, a development experience.
Who Cares About Certification?
Employers do. Headhunters do. Programmers do. Sun's programmer exam has been considered the fastest-growing certification in the IT world, and the number of candidates taking the exam continues to grow each year. Passing this exam proves three important things to a current or prospective employer: you're smart; you know how to study and prepare for a challenging test; and, most of all, you know the Java language. If an employer has a choice between a candidate who has passed the exam and one who hasn't, the employer knows that the certified programmer does not have to take time to learn the Java language.
But does it mean that you can actually develop software in Java? Not necessarily, but it's a good head start. To really demonstrate your ability to develop (as opposed to just your knowledge of the language), you should consider pursuing the Developer Exam, where you're given an assignment to build a program, start to finish, and submit it for an assessor to evaluate and score.
Sun's Certification Program
Currently there are eight Java certification exams (although several of them might have more than one live version). The Associate exam, the Programmer exam, and the Developer exam are all associated with the Java Standard Edition. The Web Component exam, the Business Component exam, the Web Services exam, and the Enterprise Architect exam are all associated with the Java Enterprise Edition. The Mobile Application exam is associated with the Java Micro Edition.
The Associate, Programmer, Web Component, Business Component, Web Services, and Mobile Application exams are exclusively multiple-choice and drag-and-drop exams taken at a testing center, while the Developer and Architect exams also involve submitting a project.
The Associate Exam (CX-310-019)
Sun Certified Java Associate (SCJA)
The Associate exam is for candidates just entering an application development or a software project management career using Java technologies. This exam tests basic knowledge of object-oriented concepts, the basics of UML, the basics of the Java programming language, and general knowledge of Java Platforms and Technologies. This exam has no prerequisites.
The Programmer Exams (CX-310-065)
Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) for Java 6
The Programmer exam is designed to test your knowledge of the Java programming language itself. It requires detailed knowledge of language syntax, core concepts, and a number of common application programming interfaces (APIs). This exam also tests intermediate knowledge of object-oriented design concepts. It does not test any issues related to architecture, and it does not ask why one approach is better than another, but rather it asks whether the given approach works in a particular situation. This exam has no prerequisites. As of May, 2008, two older versions of this exam are still available, the 1.4 and the 5.0.
The Developer Exam (CX-310-252A, CX-310-027)
Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD)
The Developer exam picks up where the Programmer exam leaves off. Passing the Programmer exam is required before you can start the Developer exam. The Developer exam requires you to develop an actual program and then defend your design decisions. It is designed to test your understanding of why certain approaches are better than others in certain circumstances, and to prove your ability to follow a specification and implement a correct, functioning, and user-friendly program.
The Developer exam consists of two pieces: a project assignment and a follow-up essay exam. Candidates have an unlimited amount of time to complete the project, but once the project is submitted, the candidate then must go to a testing center and complete a short follow-up essay exam, designed primarily to validate and verify that it was you who designed and built the project.
The Web Component Developer Exam (CX-310-083)
Sun Certified Web Component Developer for Java EE Platform (SCWCD)
The web developer exam is for those who are using Java servlet and JSP (Java Server Pages) technologies to build Web applications. It's based on the Servlet and JSP specifications defined in the Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE). This exam requires that the candidate is a Sun Certified Java Programmer.
The Business Component Developer Exam (CX-310-091)
Sun Certified Business Component Developer for Java EE Platform (SCBCD)
The business component developer exam is for those candidates who are using Java EJB technology to build business-tier applications. The exam is based on the EJB specification defined in the Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE). This exam requires that the candidate is a Sun Certified Java Programmer.
The Web Services Developer Exam (CX-310-220)
Sun Certified Developer for Web Services for Java EE Platform (SCDJWS)
The web services exam is for those candidates who are building applications using Java EE and Java Web Services Developer Pack technologies. This exam requires that the candidate is a Sun Certified Java Programmer.
The Architect Exam (CX-310-052, CX-310-301A, CX-310-062)
Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for J2EE Technology (SCEA)
This certification is for enterprise architects, and thus does not require that the candidate pass the Programmer exam. The Architect exam is in three pieces: a knowledge-based multiple-choice exam, an architectural design assignment, and a follow-up essay exam. You must successfully pass the multiple-choice exam before registering and receiving the design assignment.
The Mobile Exam (CX-310-110)
Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer for Java ME (SCMAD)
The mobile application developer exam is for candidates creating applications for cell phones or other Java enabled devices. The exam covers the Java Technology for Wireless Industry (JTWI) specification, the Wireless Messaging API, and Mobile Media APIs. This exam requires that the candidate is an SCJP.
Related Topics : Java for Campus Preparation
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