Introduction + questions from an epic newbie!

[Fred Ericksson]

Heya, I'm Fred and I'm 17. I've been learning Java gradually over the course of the last three years, and after experiencing the high level concepts of last year's AP Computer Science course, I have a monstrous goal for the summer/early fall; prove my ability by studying for and passing a Java certification test. I've been looking around at the certifications (Oracle site, here etc. Actually, I got the link to this forum from a SCJP 6 review book, heh) and I'm utterly baffled. What would be a good starting point? What is the most basic certification for Java. I've heard so many alternate terminologies and acronyms for tests, but I still have no idea where to begin. Thanks in advance to whoever decides to help this epic newbie!

[Campbell Ritchie]

Welcome to the Ranch

In your shoes, I’d show off an app I had created. Let’s have a look at a little app and we can see your object‑oriented skills
Don’t know about certs myself, since I went through the route of getting a degree.

[Jesper de Jong]

Welcome to the Ranch! That's a fine and ambitious goal.

Have a look at Oracle's overview of Java training and certification. There are several tracks that you can follow. If you want to get certified as a Java software developer, then have a look at the Professional Certification Path. The first certificate that you'd get in that track is Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer.

We have a Programmer Certification forum here.

Good luck and have fun!

[Fred Ericksson]

Thanks for the links!

Stupid clarification, but is the path implying that I would need to get the Programmer I first and then take a different test for the OCAJP certification, or that that test would grant that certification?

Also, would it be wiser to take the Java 6 or Java 7 certification test?

Also, what test's study materials would be good to study for this? I've looked around and could only find a handful of study books and it was all related to the SCJP, not... (is OCAJP the correct acronym?) this. Would it be a valid strategy to study SCJP 6 study guides and then cover whatever changes are different for Java 7?

Thanks again!

[Fred Ericksson]

:X I didn't mean to click resolved. XD

[Henry Wong]

 

Fred Ericksson wrote::X I didn't mean to click resolved. XD

Now marked as unresolved.... be careful next time.

Henry

[Jesper de Jong]

 

Fred Ericksson wrote:... is the path implying that I would need to get the Programmer I first and then take a different test for the OCAJP certification, or that that test would grant that certification?

As far as I understand it from the picture on this page, to become an "Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer", you'd first need to do the "Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer" certification.

For the Certified Associate certification, you need to do the exam 1Z0-803 Java SE 7 Programmer I.
For the Certified Professional certification, you need to do the exam 1Z0-804 Java SE 7 Programmer II.

So yes, you'd need to do Programmer I first and then Programmer II, and then you'd have two certifications.

Fred Ericksson wrote:Also, would it be wiser to take the Java 6 or Java 7 certification test?

Java 7 is the current version of Java, so I would do the Java 7 version.

Fred Ericksson wrote:Also, what test's study materials would be good to study for this? I've looked around and could only find a handful of study books and it was all related to the SCJP, not... (is OCAJP the correct acronym?) this. Would it be a valid strategy to study SCJP 6 study guides and then cover whatever changes are different for Java 7?

SCJP is the old name (Sun Certified Java Programmer). The current acronyms are OCAJP and OCPJP. I'm not up-to-date with the books for studying for the exams.

I'll move this topic to the Programmer Certification forum, where there are lots of people who are also preparing for the exams and where you can find lots of answers to your questions.

[Fred Ericksson]

 

Jesper de Jong wrote:

Fred Ericksson wrote:... is the path implying that I would need to get the Programmer I first and then take a different test for the OCAJP certification, or that that test would grant that certification?

As far as I understand it from the picture on this page, to become an "Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer", you'd first need to do the "Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer" certification.

For the Certified Associate certification, you need to do the exam 1Z0-803 Java SE 7 Programmer I.
For the Certified Professional certification, you need to do the exam 1Z0-804 Java SE 7 Programmer II.

So yes, you'd need to do Programmer I first and then Programmer II, and then you'd have two certifications.

Fred Ericksson wrote:Also, would it be wiser to take the Java 6 or Java 7 certification test?

Java 7 is the current version of Java, so I would do the Java 7 version.

Fred Ericksson wrote:Also, what test's study materials would be good to study for this? I've looked around and could only find a handful of study books and it was all related to the SCJP, not... (is OCAJP the correct acronym?) this. Would it be a valid strategy to study SCJP 6 study guides and then cover whatever changes are different for Java 7?

SCJP is the old name (Sun Certified Java Programmer). The current acronyms are OCAJP and OCPJP. I'm not up-to-date with the books for studying for the exams.

I'll move this topic to the Programmer Certification forum, where there are lots of people who are also preparing for the exams and where you can find lots of answers to your questions.

Alright, thanks a bunch! You cleared up a lot of my misconceptions.