Preparation for the architect exam + some questions

[prem saggar]

Hi, should we purchase the Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for J2EE Technology Study Guide by Cade, and Roberts? Some people say yes, and others say hell no as it is too vague . Also, I am under the impression that you must read UML distilled, Enterprise Java Beans by Oreily, some Design Patterns book (any suggestions?), and some J2EE book that covers all aspects of J2EE (again any suggestions?). What books are you guys reading? Do you think the architect exam is more valuable for a guy with no expierence than let's say the webcomponent developer certification or the Java developer certification for getting a job? I'm appearing for my SCJP 1.4 on the 20th of this month. Thanks guys, Prem

[Rufus BugleWeed]

IMHO
EJB's third Edition by O'Rielly - yes
you may be able to down load 2nd ED for free and will be good for a few more months
Sun Study Guide - yes
Patterns Book - no
In my market Webshpere is the most in demand skill. So SCEA or IBM Websphere Certified Solution Developer would be good.

[prem saggar]

Hey thanks for the response, are these the only 2 books I need 1) Enterprise Java Beans and 2) SCEA study guide? Prem

[Joe Man]

Rufus,
Where can i download the "EJB's 2nd Edition by O'Reilly"?
Thanks.
-JM

[Rufus BugleWeed]

You need to read the old posts on this site.
There's two yahoo groups too.
I would try the orielly site. serverside.com used to allow download of Mastering EJB II, it is also recommended.
Don't miss the J2ee tutorial on suns site.
You need to find some JMS guide. I have O'reilly's. You just need the introductory chapters.

[Vibha Verma]

Rufus,
I think for the exam you need to study EJB 1.1(i.e. O'Reilley Second edition). Isn't it?
Thanks.
Vibha.

[JiaPei Jen]

It is EJB 1.1 for the time being. The SCEA Part I exam questions will be revised (I do not know the exact time), and EJB 2.0 will be tested.

[prem saggar]

Hey, I'm glad to see people talking in this thread. I'm so confused! I'm making plans to take the 1.4 programmer's exam but I wonder if 1.2 is better due to the awt coverage and Input and Ouput? Do employers prefer one over the other? Also, should I start my reading for the Architect exam with Cade's study guide for the ardchitect exam? Is this the same thing as Sun's study guide? Thanks, Prem.

[Rufus BugleWeed]

Cade is the author of Sun's Guide.
EJB's by O'Rielly 3rd ED covers 1.1 && 2.0.
If you read EJB's cover to cover eight hours a day it may take you a month. My point is it's easier to buy these books than read them. EJB's is more valuable to read than study guide, because you may never finish.
Get the 1.4 certification AWT is mostly dead.

[Byron Estes]

I would add the EJB 1.1 specification to your reading list (...better after you've read a more user friendly representation of the material like Ed Roman's Mastering EJB).
I think the Gof4 book is important as a reference. I would use the Mark Cade's SCEA Study Guide book as an introduction to Design Patterns, but use the Gof4 book if you want to strengthen your understanding of the actual pattern.
Even though this is test about design/not coding, I think it's valuable to spend a little time writing some simple EJB's and Messaging components (MessageDrivenBeans and Non-EJB Messaging components). Personally, I understand something better if I actually do it.
Also, I think spending time talking/debating about J2EE technology/uses either on a BBS like this or with people face to face is invaluable. The degree that you need to know the material to intelligently argue your point really helps to reinforce your knowledge. Also, someone may bring up a point you didn't know or never considered and you may be forced to rethink your own position on a particular topic.
Regards,

[prem saggar]

Again, you guys are great! Thanks for helping me out. So it looks like I'll buy Cade's Enterprise Architect Study Guide at first to get an idea of what I'm dealing with. Then I'll study Enterprise Java Beans Oreily, (which version or year though?), and throughout this time I'll also be trying to write my own EJB stuff. Also, I downloaded the J2EE tutorial from sun, and I plan to study that also. I hope this plan of action works! Also, Rufus, you are very kind to consistently reply to my comments, thanks for all your insight. So do you guys think that after getting your SCJP you should move straight to the Architect exam or should you follow some other certification path? Perhaps, developer to web component, to architect, to JCERT ! By the way is it really helpfull to get certified in Websphere? I use Forte for my development, and I like it although it is not the greatest. You guys think getting certified in an IDE/Webserver is a good idea? Or should we stick to the core certs? Thanks again, Prem Rufus? What is with bugleweed?