New to Java. How to Start?

[Sanskriti Sharma]

Hi Friends,
I am fairly new to Java terminology. I have made a move from Mortgage industry to IT world. I am currently working as a QA tester but plan to make a move into programming world. I am a fast learner. Please advice me how to get the SCJP certification. How should i start and what should be the time span between learning and appearing for the certification?
Please help me!

[Thomas De Vos]

I suggest practicing a lot before thinking to write the SCJP certification.

You will need at least 3/6 months of programming experience if you have never programmed before, after this period you will probably need between 4 and 8 weeks to cover all the exam objectives.

All the best with your studies.

[Paul Croarkin]

Try Bruce Eckel's Thinking in Java.
http://www.mindview.net/Books/TIJ/

[Sanskriti Sharma]

Thanks Thomas and Paul for ur input.

[Marcus Green]

I have been writing some stuff that might be of interest to a beginner at

http://www.examulator.com/moodle

[Santana Iyer]

I started Java few motnhs back.

First I would suggest to read Head First Java by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates. It is very good book, bestseller in Java. go and check at amazon.com read other people's review you will come to know with which book to start. (HF Java is good to start Java for scjp there is another book by same authors).

After reading it say after 3 weeks or so for SCJP start with
Kathy's book for scjp but after HF Java decide what you want to do scjp1.4 or scjp5.0 for 5.0 Kathy's book is not available now (should be avaialable in near future). For 1.4 it is available.

[Barry Gaunt]

Just my opinion: If you know the Morgage Industry well then become a business analyst - there is much more job potential in that. Ok, a basic knowlege of programming and software development would be good to have, but the future is in analysis and requirements engineering.

[Santana Iyer]

Barry can you please elaborate a little more on what looks good/promising in future. Till date I was after softwares etc. but I do feel that I must plan my career pls tell me what looks good promising in future which path or where can I find from whom suhc information.

[Ramaswamy Srinivasan]

Barry,

Originally posted by Barry Gaunt:
Just my opinion: If you know the Morgage Industry well then become a business analyst - there is much more job potential in that. Ok, a basic knowlege of programming and software development would be good to have, but the future is in analysis and requirements engineering.

Well said. I completely agree with you, in this regard. The job potential is certainly higher in the Business Analysis and requirements Engineering area.

In my opinion, a fair amount of knowledge in Java or technical knowledge for that matter would be of a good help, in coordinating to get the things done.

Cheers,
Ram.

[Amir khan]

After i do my SCJP, i am starting my preparation for my MBA, SCJP is just a challenge which i have to do, but i think management and business rocks cause after 5-6 yr of work exp i might become a project manager and if i do my MBA i can become a manager.
but bottom-line is you should know everything



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