SCJD or SCWCD

[Nelson Nadal]

What is best next step cert after SJCP? Is it SJCD or SCWCD? What am I up to, is the one criteria, but in terms of subject scope which is better? Thanks and more power.

[Andrew Monkhouse]

Hi Nelson
Both have their good and bad points.
The SCWCD exam is a similar structure to the SCJP exam - both multi choice questions, both have clear objectives, and you can have a very good idea before you go for the exam whether you are going to pass or not.
The SCJD on the other hand, is a completely different structure. You are given an assignment which deliberately leaves some questions unanswered, and you have to develop working applications that someone else is going to look at and determine their suitability for the task and for maintainability, and grade you on that.
The things I like about the SCJD are that

it has no time limit at all - you can do the parts you already know, then go off and learn the parts you dont know, then continue with the assignment. (Although some Sun offices are apparently getting candidates to purchase the exam at the same time as the assignment, which indirectly puts a time limit on the assignment)

I think the SCJD follows nicely from the SCJP ... you have learnt the basics of how to use the standard APIs, now you get to put them in practice. You do have to learn a little swing, and a little networking, but neither of them are difficult. (whereas the SCWCD is more theoretical).

There are plenty of people who have done the exams in the order SCJP, SCJD, SCWCD. There are also plenty who have done it in the order SCJP, SCWCD, SCJD. So far I haven't heard anyone say that they wish they had done it in a different order than what they had done.
Regards, Andrew

[Damian Ryan]

I fully agree with everything Andrew said, but would add just one other point: it depends on your career and other personal priorities.
If you don't have much intention of doing web development work, then the SCWCD is probably not a high priority.
For example, I took the SCWCD before my SCJD, but only because I had had to brush up on servlets and JSP for teaching purposes, and thought I may as well take advantage of the knowledge while I still had it in my head. I don't use these technologies much in my day-to-day job; rather, I concentrate on core Java development, but you never know, one day soon this might change...
Personally, I think the SCWCD exam is the easiest of the three (SCJP, SCJD and SCWCD) and if there's any chance you'll be wanting to do web development work in Java then go for it, because it's possible for someone already familiar with the technologies to polish off the exam with a few weeks' preparation.

[Nelson Nadal]

Wow. Those are great advice to ponder. Thanks Sir
Andrew and Sir Damian for those pointers. I may add those statements to weigh my decisions. I appreciate you guys.

[jamel bal]

My idea is little different. I think if you want to have both certification is better to start with the scwcd for the following reason:
fast (it will take you one month if you are going to start from scratch)
the exam is very easy, and you won't have problem to pass.
The SCJD need time to devolop and learn, it also has two parts assignments and exams.

So my idea is to get the SCWCD the faster you can, and you may see something that will give you a plus for the SCJD.
And of course it all depends in your career goals.
Hope I did help