Vendor
Sun Microsystems is big name vendor of various hardware and software, most notably the Java language.
|
Standard disclaimer: Whether or not any certification is "worth it" is an individual decision. You alone must decide what your career goals and needs are. Look at certifications from a cost/benefit or Return On Investment (ROI) basis. If they help you get a better paying job or make more money at your current job, they are obviously "worth it." The problem is, there is no real way of measuring how much you can expect your income to go up as a result of any given certification. It also depends on non-related job search skills such as how well you network. |
The Sun Java certifications are becoming the industry standard. If you're an ambitious Java programmer, you want at least the programmer certification. There are other Java certifications, but Sun invented Java.
The problem for beginners is that Sun recommends at least 3 months hands on experience. This indicates they assume employers don't require this certification as an entry-level requirement. So, start looking for the job you want after you learn Java, but take the Sun test as soon as you feel ready.
These certifications go in order. You must be a Sun Certified Java Programmer to take the Java Developer test. It's not required to be a Developer to take the Architect test, but it's apparent Architects must have a very broad outlook and having enough knowledge and experience on a computer job to be Developers would help a lot.
Sun Certified Java Programmer for the Java 2 Platform
For Java programmers. Must pass Sun Certified Java Programmer exam. Cost is $150. Tests are given by Sylvan Prometric. The Java 2 exam (310-025) includes 59 multiple choice/short answer questions and lasts up to two hours. A score of 71% is required to pass.
Sun Certified Developer for the Java[tm] 2 Platform
There are 2 parts. Part 1 is a programming assignment. Cost: $250.
Part 2 is the examination. This is given by Sylvan Prometric. The questions are short essay type questions. It takes 90 minutes and costs $150.
Sun Certified Architect for Java[tm] Technologies (Java 2)
This is the most recent Sun Java certification. According to Sun the examination "will test candidates on multi-tiered architecture; Web concepts; service-based, object-oriented architecture; client/server design; and migration (Legacy Systems)."
They use a lot of words to describe "architect," but it boils down to that if you're in position to recommend system structures to your business, you're an architect and must know more than a "mere" programmer.
Test consists of 60 multiple choice and short answer questions. It takes 2 hours and costs $150. You must score at least 75% to pass.
Sun has also announced a pending new certification for enterprise development software, in collaboration with Netscape-Alliance, IBM, Novell and Oracle. This will enable Java programmers to extend themselves into ERP, databases etc. It's not available yet, but you can get a lot of details on the planned organization on Sun site.
You can download the latest Java Development Kit from the Sun site for free. However, Sun recommends that serious programmers need to buy one of the commercial visual Java development programs.
You will want to look at the Objectives of each course. This will give you a very good outline of what each test covers. Sun also includes sample questions. Learn as much as you can before taking Sun Java certifications for your computer career.