Hello all,
I've been directed to this site because I bought "Head First JSP" but it seems to be out of date already as it directs me to "javaranch" which brings me here, and talks about
SCJP exams which now seem to have been superseded by many more!
This site seems massive, the kind where it is better to post a question on a
thread than search for others, correct me if I'm wrong? (The book says its a friendly site, so am hoping asking this question is ok!)
I've been a part time
java programmer for a few years, have to write basic java programs to integrate between another tool/language the company I work for uses and java modules, but now I am trying to turn myself into a pure java programmer in another division. I am doing ok-ish with the java, but struggling with
Struts 2 and
JSP. The internet opinion seems to be that JSP should be learned before Struts 2, so I bought Head First JSP and Struts 2 in action, as well as finding tutorials on both on Tutorials Point. First step was Head First JSP and hence I am here.
So my questions:
The JSP books says it prepares us for the Sun Certified Web Components Developer exam, but that we must complete the SJCP exam before that. My understanding was that after Oracle bought Sun, they split this exam into two, the OCA and the OCP, in order to get two lots of money from us rather than one. Is this still the case? Because the names of these certification forums make it look like they have split it into dozens including a junior one?
I want to take that Web Components Exam if it still exists, do I need to take the OCA and OCP exams first? Are there any others I should take? Which books should I use? I have the OCA book by Jeanne Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff. It seems good though I haven't gotten into it much yet. Then I see there is an exam guide one by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates, I imagine it is good based on the Head First JSP book which I am enjoying so far.
Are there any other recommended books and resources for learning Struts 2? PS I am aware people might say "Don't bother, learn Spring, Groovy or whatever" but the reality is the company I work for will be using struts for quite a while to come and it would be really beneficial for me to know it in my current role.
Ok thanks for listening.