Study Material

[Deep Arora]

Hi all,
I have following resorces available at my disposal for SCEA-I exam.
1) Martin fowler "UML Distilled"
2) Ed Roman "Mastering EJB IInd edition"
3) Craig Larmen's "Applying UML and Patterns"
Can U suggest what other books do I need to clear with a good score.
Secondly do U suggest to read Ed Roman completely from cover to cover. Or a couple of chapters can be skipped.
Frankly I do not have any hands on experience with EJB's but I do have with Web Applications.
Thanks
Deepak Arora

[Chris Mathews]

Originally posted by Deep Arora:
Frankly I do not have any hands on experience with EJB's but I do have with Web Applications.

If you truely do not have any experience with EJBs then I definitely recommend a cover to cover reading of Mastering EJBs. EJB is a large part of the SCEA exam and incomplete knowledge could lose you a lot of points.
In addition to the books that you mention, I would throw in a Design Patterns reference. Either the classic Design Patterns or Applied Java Patterns. These books will not only help you with the exam, they will also help you professionally in your job. To be honest, a entire book on Design Patterns is overkill for Part 1 but this knowledge will be put to good use in Part 2/3.
Even with all of the aforementioned books, you are going to need to use quite a few Web Resources during your studying. I recommend reviewing the past posts in this forum and seeing what other people have recommended for the various topics.
[ January 22, 2003: Message edited by: Chris Mathews ]

[Deep Arora]

Chris,
Thanks for your reply. I was actully wondering whether I should study entire "Mastering EJB" including Messaging bean and additions to 2.0.
I forgot to mention that I also have GOF "Design Patterns" but didnt realize that this could be a helpful resource with the exam. I have read a couple of chapters in the book but then I feel that the book would probabaly serve a better purpose in hands of a Object Oriented acadmic professor rather than with a Developer like me.
I dont actully intend to read entire GOF Design Patterns for SCEA-I and planning to have overview of all the patterns.Do you subscribe to my opinion.
Thanks
Deepak Arora
IBM Certified OOAD with UML
IBM Certified XML Developer
SCJP 1.2

[Chris Mathews]

Originally posted by Deep Arora:
I was actully wondering whether I should study entire "Mastering EJB" including Messaging bean and additions to 2.0.

Yes because this is necessary knowledge in the field and because there is a messaging section on Part 1. The introduction to messaging that you recieve from Mastering EJB should suffice for Part 1.

Originally posted by Deep Arora:
I dont actully intend to read entire GOF Design Patterns for SCEA-I and planning to have overview of all the patterns.Do you subscribe to my opinion.

I believe you can definitely get away without a complete understanding of Design Patterns for Part 1 and probably Part 2/3 as well. However, I feel, this knowledge will enhance your skills as a Developer. Therefore, in the long run, you are better off putting in the time now.
However, this really depends on what you want from the SCEA. If your ultimate goal is to get the certification, then skip the Design Patterns. Just read the inside cover a few times and you are golden. If your ultimate goal is to increase/refine your skillset then don't stop at the bare minimum.
While we are on the subject... you are going to want to pick up a copy of
Core J2EE Patterns for Part 2/3. This is required reading for anyone doing J2EE work.

[Deep Arora]

Thanks Chris,
I was really enlightned. I shouldnt Ignore Pattrrens and shouldnt try to have short cuts to the certifications b'z that really doesnt serve the real purpose behind it. I will definately buy Core J2EE Pattrens by deepak Alur however I am not sure whether it is available in India or not.
Any way thanks again for your helpful suggestions.
Deepak Arora