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Other Certs: SCEA Part 1, Part 2 & 3, Core Spring 3, TOGAF part 1 and part 2
Jeanne Boyarsky wrote:Welcome to CodeRanch!
Yes, the exam shows you some examples of horrible code. I haven't read that book, but I just looked at the sample questions in the preview. Except for the one asking for the state of two variables at each line, the first few all looked reasonable.
Have you read a book on Java other than a study guide? If so, I recommend you put down the study guide and start with that. Head First Java, Thinking in Java, Core Java, Deitel & Deitel, etc. Any of these are good choices to start out with. Once you know the fundamentals, you can use the study guide for its intended purpose. To get you ready to see the details you'll need to pass the exam. Trial and error coding won't be enough to pass the exam.
Also, there are mock exams you can buy to supplement the one(s) from your book. Wait until you have a better grasp on studying first though. You don't want to "waste" those questions by looking at them before you know the basics.
Richard Newman wrote:Couldn't you just get rid of that Bird class altogether and have a functional program?
I also don't understand why the "new Eagle("Bald Eagle").name" portion is used? What does that actually do? Does it display "Bald Eagle" and then assign that to the name variable of the Eagle class like I'm thinking?
Bear Bibeault wrote:
Richard Newman wrote:Couldn't you just get rid of that Bird class altogether and have a functional program?
That's irrelevant. The questions isn't about optimizing the class but getting it to compile.
This is what Jeanne recommended against trying to use exam questions to learn Java. They are not a good way to learn anything. Their purpose is to see if you already understand the concepts.
Use one of the books Jeanne recommended.
I also don't understand why the "new Eagle("Bald Eagle").name" portion is used? What does that actually do? Does it display "Bald Eagle" and then assign that to the name variable of the Eagle class like I'm thinking?
Other way around. Construction happens first.
Richard Newman wrote:I guess my big problem is going to be that my brain functions all the time in "optimization mode". If something has no purpose, I don't understand why it's there.
"Leadership is nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow" - Dogbert
Articles by Winston can be found here
Richard Newman wrote:Is there anyone who had success on the exam that can recommend which books or tutorial series to go through?
Richard Newman wrote:I wasn't aware that Object can accept String values? Things like this weren't really expressed in any of the books or tutorial vids I watched. I assume that trying to pass a String into that code is bad form?
Richard Newman wrote:Why do you even need the Bird constructor or class? It's empty and I don't see how any part of the main method calls it (or any part of Eagle calling it). So what difference does it make to that code. Couldn't you just get rid of that Bird class altogether and have a functional program? I also don't understand why the "new Eagle("Bald Eagle").name" portion is used? What does that actually do? Does it display "Bald Eagle" and then assign that to the name variable of the Eagle class like I'm thinking?
Richard Newman wrote:Are the exam questions really as obscure and nasty as I'm seeing in this question book by Hanumant Deshmukh?
[OCP 17 book] | [OCP 11 book] | [OCA 8 book] [OCP 8 book] [Practice tests book] [Blog] [JavaRanch FAQ] [How To Ask Questions] [Book Promos]
Other Certs: SCEA Part 1, Part 2 & 3, Core Spring 3, TOGAF part 1 and part 2
Richard Newman wrote:One huge question I've had...how do you get a job programming (prior to having the cert) or even really solid practice programming? People say to just "make programs" but that's very broad and open ended. I almost don't know where to start with such a broad statement.
Richard Newman wrote:
One huge question I've had...how do you get a job programming (prior to having the cert) or even really solid practice programming? People say to just "make programs" but that's very broad and open ended. I almost don't know where to start with such a broad statement.
Guillermo Ishi wrote:
Richard Newman wrote:
One huge question I've had...how do you get a job programming (prior to having the cert) or even really solid practice programming? People say to just "make programs" but that's very broad and open ended. I almost don't know where to start with such a broad statement.
What is the book with the pictures and goofy stuff? Sounds different.
Guillermo Ishi wrote:
Richard Newman wrote:
One huge question I've had...how do you get a job programming (prior to having the cert) or even really solid practice programming? People say to just "make programs" but that's very broad and open ended. I almost don't know where to start with such a broad statement.
What is the book with the pictures and goofy stuff? Sounds different.
As for what to do...what interests you? I think java is used for web back ends, most commonly. On Udacity there's a class you can go through for free called "Web Development" which is taught by the main guy who was behind Reddit. It's very interesting. Unfortuanately it uses Python rather than Java. But the principles are the same. The course uses the Google App Engine and there is a Java version of that as well as Python. You could probably go through the course using Java instead of Python. There is another class that does the same thing using RonR, but nothing for Java that I've noticed. Also, the GAE has a Java quickstart thing that you could go through. GAE is only kind of semi-standard, but Udacity itself runs on it. Got to start somewhere.
Richard Newman wrote:I'm hoping that some company will at least consider the fact that I'm dedicated and hard working and give me a chance at an entry level position and let me work my way up. But I gotta learn Java and be GOOD with it! Which is why I want to get as much practice as I can, but I'm not sure where exactly to get practice at other than at a job...and thus a vicious looking cycle is forming in my mind...
Guillermo Ishi wrote:He gave me lots of tips like go to the library and research the company. So during the interview I was able to drop product names and stuff.
Roel De Nijs wrote:And these days it's much easier: you just browse the company's website for 5-10 minutes and you are good to go
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