J2EE: Sun or IBM ?

[dharma cris]

Web Component Certification (SCWCD) + EJB Certification (SCBCD) from SUN
against
Enterprise Connectivity Test (with J2EE, V1.2)Test 483 from IBM
How they compare? Which path to select?

Thanks.

[Luciano Queiroz]

I would choose Sun.
First do the SCWCD exam, then SCBCD and lastly IBM 484.
That's the path I would track.

[dharma cris]

Hi Luciano,
I understand Sun being the parent of J2EE, you would choose sun (or there is other reason?). But why IBM 484/483 after SCWCD & SCBCD ? They don't overlap?
What about I heard that Sun exams are more technical detail oriented oppose to those from IBM, being more, overall conceptual understanding oriented?
[ July 25, 2003: Message edited by: dharma cris ]

[stara szkapa]

For me SUN path is too expensive and too long. IBM 484 is just about what you need to be able to work with J2EE and be competent.

[Billy Tsai]

Do people receive a certificate after passing IBM's J2EE and UML exams?

[Luciano Queiroz]

No, to win a certificate you have to complete the whole path.
Check it out:
http://www.jcert.org

[Theodore Casser]

Originally posted by dharma cris:
I understand Sun being the parent of J2EE, you would choose sun (or there is other reason?). But why IBM 484/483 after SCWCD & SCBCD ? They don't overlap?

You'd take this still to get the upper level JCert certifications, since SCWCD and SCBCD don't count towards that path.

[Lance Duncan]

IBM!

[Dave Cronin]

The SCWCD and SCBCD certifications cover both web components and EJB in more detail that the IBM J2EE certification. (I recently took IBM 484, which is the next version from 483). The Sun exams are probably a better indication of breadth and depth of knowledge in these topics. The IBM exam only has about 20 question on each topic, so it can't test that much. Also, the IBM exam covers J2EE architecture and some other topics. However, the IBM exam is quite tricky, and it would show a good overall knowledge of J2EE. And you do have to pass it for the jCert Enterprise developer role.
I think that if you can pass SCWCD + SCBCD, you can probably pass IBM J2EE, and they should make the Sun cert an alternative for the IBM exam for jCert.
[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: Dave Cronin ]

[Billy Tsai]

just get SCJP,SCJD,SCWCD,SCBCD,SCEA then the path will be complete and you will be the ONE
I am doing that now

[dharma cris]

Originally posted by Dave Cronin:
I think that if you can pass SWBCD + SCBCD, you can probably pass IBM J2EE, and they should make the Sun cert an alternative for the IBM exam for jCert.

I also believe that once SCBCD is officially available, jCert will include this alternate path.
[ August 04, 2003: Message edited by: dharma cris ]

[Theodore Casser]

I don't see any reason why they couldn't include SCBCD and SCWCD as alternates to the current exam, save that it means taking two tests instead of one. I doubt that many folks would opt for that track.. but it would be nice if it were offered.

[Ashik Uzzaman]

I would definitely go for Sun...

[Dave Cronin]

There is a difference between IBM 483/484 and SCWCD and SCBCD. Passing the IBM test shows knowledge of a wide range of J2EE technologies, but says little about actual knowledge of Web Components or EJBs. The Sun tests have detailed syllabuses for their subjects, which allows for better focused study of the subject area. Passing the Sun exams can demonstrate more clearly expertise in either Web Components or EJBs. Also, the Sun exam results show you your strengths and weaknesses within the subject areas, which the IBM exam does not do.
Therefore, I think it is better to go for the Sun certifications, and it would make sense if the jCert people made SCWCD + SCBCD a valid alternative to the IBM cert. Whether this will ever happen is another question.

[Forrest Xu]

I am wating the result of SCBCD.
I will make a test for SCWCD and IBM 484 at the same time in the end of this month.
I think you can prepare for them at the same time.