SCEA updates. Does it really need updating?...

[James Turner]

Hello all,

There has been a lot of talk recently about new versions of the SCEA exams and books: New SCEA exam

I have been prep'ing for the first part of the exam and plan to take it soon. I have read that for the second part any version of J2EE can be used, i.e. any feature form J2EE 1.4 can be used and if taking the exam after the release of the JEE 5, EJB3 and JSF could be used.

In this regard I don't see the SCEA exam as an exam that needs updating since the whole point of architecture is that it is a high level view of the system and does not get into the details of specific implementation.

Therefore it doesn�t matter what J2EE/JEE version is current, the exam dosn't change. We are architecting, not implementing.

This is my point of view and I would like to get any comments from any of you to see if you agree with this opinion or not.

Cheers guys,

James.

[Peer Reynders]

In general I think you are correct - which is why the consensus is: don't wait for the update. I would suspect that the most significant impact would be on Part I, as it would now have to cover the whole 1.4 spread.

You are correct, CX-310-300A states:

The assignment requires that you have an in-depth understanding of the Java programming language and J2EE APIs. You can choose to use any released version of the J2EE APIs.

I would expect the assignment to be updated to include requirements that are more readily addressed with technologies available under 1.4, i.e. you could still solve them with 1.2, however not necessarily so elegantly. Also you I would expect more strict evaluation in terms of relevant usage of J2EE design patterns, so that you don't arrive at a design that may be valid in terms of general architecture but actually is a J2EE performance zombie.
Somebody in another thread commented that some of the current Part I questions seemed to be easier to answer if picked answers that where (architecturally) sound and showed Sun's technology in the best light (i.e. 'what does sun want from me' ). I wouldn't be surprised if that would shine a little bit of through even in Part II/III (both current and future versions).

[Theodore Casser]

Originally posted by James Turner:
Therefore it doesn�t matter what J2EE/JEE version is current, the exam dosn't change. We are architecting, not implementing.

I do agree with that to some level. I think, however, that one also needs to factor in that this isn't a technology agnostic certification when we're talking about architecting - specifically, it's dealing with how Sun's enterprise solution can be used for problems.

As such, I'm still crossing my fingers for when (not if) they upgrade, it's simply a matter of really retaking the Part I exam. (I was thinking that it would probably be to the J2EE 1.4 level, but now that JEE 5 is due out in early 2006, I'm half-wondering if that's going to be on the new exam...)

[James Turner]

If the SCEA is going to be updated, does anyone have any ideas when and if it will only be the first part that would be updated?

James.

[Theodore Casser]

No one has any idea when it'll be updated except perhaps Sun Educational.

I asked them back at JavaOne, since they've been hinting for a few years now that they'd be doing it. I think it's just a matter of them deciding to get around to doing it - SCEA (according to the guys who were running discounted testing at the conference) is only 1% of all Java tests taken, so they're likely not in a rush.

[Peer Reynders]

Not a thing. So far everything is pure speculation based on the two small posts from Mark Cade in the thread you mentioned. Take into account that there has been talk of an J2EE 1.4 update since end of 2002. Who's to say they aren't going to scrap it and make us wait another 2 years for Java EE 5? Nobody seems to want to commit to anything at this point.

Do not wait if you are ready.

[Billy Tsai]

just dont update it