Hi Karthik,
I always believed that the Jcert track is more valued (or should I say more relevant) than the Sun's three Certification Track.The primary reason is the Jcert track makes you more productive from the employer's point of view.
For instance, if you compare Sun Developer Certification (Level 2 of Sun) with Oracle Certified Solution Developer -Oracle JDeveloper
IDE (Level 2 of Jcert), taking the latter would mean you have gained skills in an actual production environment tool used in the industry.The former Certification means you have acquired good Java development skills (with or without using IDE).To be realistic, you would still need to master an IDE after Sun Developer Title, since most production shops believe in Rapid Application Development(RAD) in todays' world of delivering quality in limited span of time.
Earlier, I was under the impression that I would take the Sun's Track and learn any IDE with the job.But when I started with JDeveloper IDE, I realised, it is not as easy as it seems to be.Learning a production quality IDE offers a steep learning curve and that too over and above learning the primary language (Java). You also have to get accustomed with the vendors specific technologies/packages which is not easy at all.I was taken by surprise when I started with this IDE.It was then I decided to go for the Jcert track instead of Sun's track.
Also, if you compare Level 2 of both the tracks, Jcert tests you on far more technologies/concepts compared to Sun Developer Track.At the outset, you are tested on OOAD with UML at Level 2.The OOAD test is absent in Sun's Level 2 and can not be even compared to Level 3 (SCJEA Part 1).The Sun Architect (Part 1) test just covers a part of OOAD, although Part 2 allows you get some hands-on on it.
Also Jcert Level 3 Skill 3A - Enterprise Development with J2EE is as good as SCJEA Part 1.Take that test and you would realize what I mean.It is a real challenge and I am sure you would enjoy it
.I know a person who cleared SCJEA Part 1 and could not clear this IBM test.And Jcert Skill 3B would allow you to gain skills on an Application Server - an in-thing which donot even acquire after passing the Sun's Architect track.
I am not saying that Sun's track is not worth it.Infact, it is best to learn pure Java from the creator itself.And one has to learn it to gain more profiency in the language.However, this can be acquired slowly over a period of time.The immediate requirement would be to make yourself indispensible for the industry and there is no Certification better than Jcert for it.Having said that we would need to choose the vendor carefully as tools can become obselete in no time.I am planning to take Sun's Developer and Architect test only next year.I have marked this year for getting IBM equivalent Jcert titles (4 tests for IBM products - 2 tests on IBM Visual Age and 2 tests on IBM Websphere Application Server for Level 2 and Level 3 respectively).If time permits, may just squeeze in IBM XML Certification test too.Ofcourse, this would be after I pass the OOAD with UML test.
Do let me know your views on this.
Thanks,
Sandeep
[This message has been edited by Desai Sandeep (edited June 02, 2001).]