I don't see any real reason to kill it - it's got its place as an intro exam, which is why I think they introduced it originally. Consider it a SCJP-lite - most programmers will skip over it for the "full" SCJP, while newbies and occasional-programmers might take SCJA to have some credentials...
There are cases where someone may need to be able to read a java program, but rarely need to write anything large. Quality Assurance, Help Desk, System Adminstration, and other roles that need to touch Java code, but not develop anything major.
And for students ( like me ) who haven't use J2EE or J2ME yet...when I search a job ( or a stage or ... ) and I can tell I already have SCJP and I have basic knowledge about EE & ME with SCJA certification : they always are very surprised...its a good idea this certification only the price is maybe a bit toooo expensive ( 210� + vat(21%) ) for an entry cert. , Im working for it every moonday to get the money...still 40� too short...anybody? lol joking... ps: im still studying for SCJA [ July 07, 2006: Message edited by: Arno Reper ]
Originally posted by Arno Reper: eeh marc you are the new moderator here...
I just want to keep things nice and orderly here.
I wish there was more reference material specific to the SCJA exam. Until then, helping each other out in this forum is probably the best approach. So don't be shy to post...
[Ulf]: I seem to remember reading that it was geared specifically towards the Japanese market; don't know why.
Yes, that was the primary target as I understand it. There was a significant group of students in technical study programs who exit the program with some knowledge of Java, but little or no practical experience. Businesses there are apparently very credential-oriented and wanted some way of verifying which of their prospective new hires had some knowledge of Java, and which did not. Sun responded to this need with SCJA. There may be other countries / cultures where SCJA is used a lot; I don't know. I would say that if you're a beginning Java developer and you live somewhere that employers seem to care about SCJA, then get an SCJA. If not, don't.
[Dean]: I think Sun should kill this exam...
Why should the rest of us care whether Sun offers the SCJA program or not? It's apparently useful to some people, and everyone else can simply ignore it.
A lot of good ideas here, but I think Henry is closest. This is a great exam for people who have jobs that are associated with Java, but might not be really big-time developers. I'd add tech writers to Henry's list.
[Marc]: My manager doesn't know a boolean from a Servlet. [...]
LOL...you made my day! Apparently my Manager is not the only one who has no clue...at all!
I still believe SCJA is good for students or occasional programmers who are interested in Java but still don't know which direction to take...web-app or J2ME are pretty different fields...for an entry level is a good chance to prove "Hey dude, I am an entry level, but I am willing to learn new stuff, I can prove you I know what you are talking about...thanks to my cert!"
P.S. BTW...hopefully we live in a "free world"...if you don't like the cert nobody forces you to take it!
Gio :-) [ July 19, 2006: Message edited by: Giovanni De Stefano ]
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