Java Programming SCJA or SCJP

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+4 Q:

Java Programming SCJA or SCJP

I am very new to programming, but it has been suggested to me that Java is a language worth looking at.

Question:- Should I start with the SCJA or just go straight for the SCJP.

My previous knowledge of programming is building a VBA application or two.

My exposure to Java is just reading the "Dummies" book, but no actual development yet.

+3 A:

I recommend obtaining the recommended text for the SCJP and completely working through it.

If at the end of that, you're completely confused, you might want to consider SCJA first! If not, go for the SCJP.

I went for the SCJP from a similar position last year. It took me about four months from start to passing the exam by a comfortable margin, so don't underestimate the time commitment required.

The Java 5 Study Guide I used is this one. You might, however, consider the Java 6 Guide now.

I can thoroughly recommend the javaranch certification forums at http://www.coderanch.com/forums - I found them to be an invaluable resource for questions about preparation for the certification. The SCJP FAQ on the same site is here which might also be useful for you.

Brabster 2009-08-12 08:45:26

Your both links are pointing to the same Java Guide. :)

Adeel Ansari 2009-08-12 09:04:17

Adeel Ansari 2009-08-12 09:05:09

Thanks for the duplicate link tip. Updated the link, stupid fingers!

Brabster 2009-08-12 09:51:52

If you have a programming background I suggest you to get SCJP. It is not very difficult. It is enough to learn some tricky of java.

Firstthumb 2009-08-12 08:46:40

+13 A:

Do you really need certification at all? I would concentrate on learning the language and platform (via books, tutorials etc) and just getting practice in using it rather than worrying about certification.

It could be that in your particular area, certification is important for getting a job - but I've never found that to be the case when I've either been hiring or looking for a job. (I have no certifications at all, and it's never been a barrier.)

Of course it could also be that the certification course will be the best way for you to learn - but my experience of seeing other people "learn" certification material (not SCJP or SCJA, mind you) is that there are a lot of facts rather than principles... i.e. it's more rote learning than training you to be a really good developer. YMMV.

Probably the most important book for becoming a good Java developer is Effective Java by Josh Bloch.

Jon Skeet 2009-08-12 08:47:24

I'd agree to a degree - but I did find doing the certification gave me a bit of a guided tour of APIs and concepts that I hadn't directly come across before. I found it was a helpful rounding-out exercise. Depends what you want I guess :)

Brabster 2009-08-12 08:55:23

I'm going to get at least SCJA because it's cheaper than taking a college class and I can get the same credit.

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 13:01:52

@xenoterracide: Do you think you'll learn as much as you would with a college class though? There's more to education than just the qualification you end up with at the end.

Jon Skeet 2010-07-21 13:11:23

@Jon given my college... I'll probably learn more. All our programming classes are "intro to language" I'm programming perl now, I've taken the C++ classes, and the perl class. I happen to know Java isn't much different. Why pay more when I can get more for paying less (a cert and a 4 credit class).

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 13:48:30

s/Java isn't/the Java Class isn't/

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 13:58:00

@Jon oh and you're right ;) there's the bill you get and all the things you didn't learn because you were too busy doing academic examples as opposed to building useful things.

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 13:59:14

@xenoterracide: That's the first time I've heard of "certification" and "building useful things" being linked together. My experience of looking at certification material is that you'd be better off learning via "normal" books and *building some software* rather than learning specific answers to multiple-choice questions.

Jon Skeet 2010-07-21 14:44:58

Sorry I didn't mean to sound like I was linking them, I'm suggesting that taking a class will take time away from building useful software (where academic software isn't useful) and having the cert in addition to a degree can't hurt.

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 14:56:42

also $800 for class + $100 for book + $200 for gas for commute is $1100 or I could pay $300 and pass the test on the first time (price for SCJA not sure on SCJP) + $50 for book (if I don't buy it used).

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 15:03:38

@xenoterracide: You say that "having the cert ... can't hurt" - it can take time as well as money. Now *if* it gets you a job that you wouldn't otherwise have got, that's fine... but personally when I'm involved in hiring people, I don't pay any attention to certification. So maybe you could spend the same time learning more and coding more to end up as a more valuable coder...

Jon Skeet 2010-07-21 15:06:58

@Jon it won't take more time than a 10 week class ;) and it won't take more money even if I fail it the first time.

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 15:28:19

@Jon oh and the class is required, so if I don't test out of it, I have to take it.

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 15:29:06

I don't put much stock in certs but I don't put much stock in college courses either. I think they are both crap. So I'm evaluating on a time/money basis, and getting the cert should take less time and less money. Therefore it is the best option.

xenoterracide 2010-07-21 15:31:52

+5 A:

codedevour 2009-08-12 08:49:07

This book is worth reading anyhow. @bergen0410 Lose the "For Dummies" and go for this one and maybe the Core Java volumes. If you still feel you'd need the SCJP cert., you'll have excellent preparation in *theory*. Do mind practicing by writing real code, though.

msiemeri 2009-08-12 08:53:26

At this stage you need to learn the language first, don't worry much about certification, just yet. Certify only when you are comfortable with the language. You will also find the exam (take SCJP preferable) not intimidating as well if you learn the language first.

n002213f 2009-08-12 09:01:25

I found a good site for SCJP. Am also preparing for SCJP 1.6.

http://sunjavasnips.blogspot.com/ these guys posting interesting FAQs and Questions.

2009-08-13 10:22:34

I have all the questions I faced in SCJP Java Interview questions blog

RKK 2010-08-24 03:39:26

ansaurus

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