Java programmers

Sun Certified Professional (SCP) is a professional certification program by a Sun Microsystems, a subsidiary of Oracle Corporation. It is meant to verify a particular skillset in Sun technologies, especially for developers for whom Java is a primary requirement.

Sun Certified Java Associate

The Sun Certified Java Associate certificate exam covers the basics of the Java programming language and an overview of all Java programming technologies including web, mobile and standard edition (SE). It also covers the basics of UML object modeling language.

The Sun Certified Java Associate certification has been replaced by the Oracle Certified Java Associate Programmer I certificate exam.

Oracle Certified Professional Java SE Programmer (formerly the Sun Certified Java Programmer)

Java Certification Path

The Oracles Certified Professional SE Programmer (OCPJP) exam is the fundamental exam required to demonstrate solid understanding of Java and is a prerequisite to a number of the other Java certificates.

It is designed as a fairly detailed test of knowledge of the core features and constructs of the Java programming language. It tests a wide range of Java's APIs and core features, starting from basics such as looping constructs and variables, to more complex topics such as Threads, Collections and Generics. It does not cover specific technology domains such as GUI creation, Web or network programming, though it does cover part of the APIs included in the standard library. The exam tests how well a programmer has understood the language constructs and mechanisms. However it's not a goal of the exam to test the programmer's ability to produce purposeful or efficient programs. It does not test the programmer's ability to write efficient algorithms, for example, though it does test knowledge of which collections should be selected in order to implement efficient algorithms without re-inventing the wheel.

It is assessed through an automatically administered multiple-choice test system and consists of 60 questions which the candidate has 150 minutes to answer. At least 37 questions are needed to be correct to pass (around 61%). To take the test a candidate must buy a voucher from Oracle (approximately US$300 in the US, £150 (excluding VAT) in the UK, AUD 316 plus tax in Australia, Rs. 8000 plus taxes in India) and book the test at least a week in advance. The test consists of multiple choice questions. In June 2011, Oracle moved from Prometric to Pearson VUE as their test provider.

The OCPJP 6 exam tests a candidate on knowledge of declarations, access control, object orientation, assignments, operators, flow control, assertions, string handling, I/O, parsing, formatting, generics, collections, inner classes, threads and the JDK tools. The test is available in English, Japanese, Chinese, German, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.^[3]

Current Versions (As of October 2011)

OCPJP 5 Very similar in objective to the older SCJP 5.0 listed

OCPJP 6 designated by Oracle as 1Z0-851

OCPJP 7 designated by Oracle as 1Z0-804

Previous versions

There have been a number of previous versions of the OCPJP.

SCJP 6.0 (designated by Sun as CX-310-065) is aimed at the JDK 6.0 release of Java. The SCJP 6 introduced new topics covering Console, NavigableSet, and NavigableMap.

SCJP 5.0 (designated by Sun as CX-310-055) was based on JDK 5. It introduced variable arguments, autoboxing, and generic types, and dropped the bit shifting topics from previous exams.

SCJP 1.4 (designated by Sun as CX-310-035) was based on JDK 1.4. Compared to the previous version of the exam, SCJP 1.2, it dropped questions on GUI topics and shifted the emphasis towards core language features. SCJP 1.4 features 61 questions to be answered within 120 minutes. 32 questions or more (52%) need to be answered correctly in order to pass

SCJP 1.2 (designated by Sun as CX-310-025) was based on JDK 1.2, and was first live on 15 June 2000. The exam had 59 questions (both multiple choice and short answer) to be answered within two hours. The pass mark was 61 percent. However, exam 310-025 has been withdrawn from the market; certified professionals can retain their certification and use the title, but this version is no longer being offered.

Oracle Certified Master Java SE Developer (OCMJD) (formerly Sun Certified Java Developer)

Sun Certified Java Developer (or SCJD) is the advanced Java programmer certification level. Unlike the easier SCJP, this level is intended to verify that the participant is able to write a real-world commercial application, solving all typical problems. It is the highest qualification that Sun confirms for the Standard Edition Java programmer. Prior to attempting certification, candidates must be certified as a Sun Certified Programmer (SCJP), any edition. It is not necessary to be a Sun Certified Java Associate prior to taking this exam. The total cost of the exam is around $575.

The certification consists of the practical programming task and the subsequent written theory exam. The participant must write the described application, extensively using custom file formats, distributed computing (JRMP) and advanced Swing features that are not fully accessible from the popular rapid development tools (JTable, component data models and so on). The code must be documented, and the user manual must be supplied. The task itself is written in the form of a PRD for a non-programming end user. Apart from one or two interfaces, no technical details are given.

Oracle Certified Professional Java EE Web Component Developer (formerly Sun Certified Web Component Developer)

The Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD) certification targets information regarding Java components related to web-applications, specifically Servlets and Java Server Pages (JSPs). To achieve this certification, the candidate must pass a computer-based test available world-wide.

The SCWCD 1.4 exam covers the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) version 1.4 code, corresponding to Servlet version 2.4 and JSP version 2.0.

SCWCD 5 was released in early 2008. The exam consists of 69 questions with 70% or above being required to pass. The time duration is 3 hours. The objectives are identical to the previous (1.4) version of the exam.

Oracle Certified Professional Java EE Business Component Developer (formerly Sun Certified Business Component Developer)

The Sun Certified Business Component Developer (SCBCD) certification targets information regarding Java components related to distributed applications, specifically Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs). To achieve this certification, the candidate must pass a computer-based test available world-wide at Prometric test centers.

SCBCD 1.4 exam covers Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) version 1.3 code, including EJB version 2.0.

As of 2008, the SCBCD covers the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) version 5 code, corresponding to EJB version 3.0.

The pre-requisite for this certification is that the candidate should be a Sun Certified Programmer for Java 2 Platform (any edition).

SCBCD for J2EE version 1.3 is now no longer offered (starting February 2008). However, the upgrade exam from SCBCD for J2EE version 1.3 to Java EE version 5 is still available

Oracle Certified Expert Java Platform, EE Web Services Developer (formerly Sun Certified Developer for Java Web Services)

The Sun Certified Developer for Java Web Services 5 (SCDJWS) certification exam (designated CX-310-230) is for developers who have been Developer Pack, JAX-WS and JAXB. Other topics like XML, JSON, REST and security are covered too.

There was an older version, SCDJWS 1.4 (designated CX-310-220), which is already decommissioned .

Oracle Certified Professional Java ME Mobile Application Developer (formerly Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer)

The Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer (SCMAD) certification targets information related to developing Mobile applications, through platform Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME). It focuses in specifications like JTWI, CLDC, MIDP, WMA and MMAPI. SCMAD Exam Guide is the only book that focus on the exam objectives.

Oracle Certified Master Java EE Enterprise Architect (formerly Sun Certified Enterprise Architect)

Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java EE Platform (SCEA) certification certifies the skills of a software architect in the Java Enterprise Edition technology (formerly J2EE). Obtaining the certification requires the candidate to pass three individual stages:

• a multiple choice exam on the basic concepts of Java EE technology
• a UML design project involving Java EE technology
• an essay exam regarding the design project
• Complete Mandatory Course Completion Form (After Oct 2011)

The multiple-choice exam can be taken at any Prometric testing center around the world. Passing of this portion is required prior to registering with Sun Microsystems for the design project, which is downloaded from a secured website. After completion of the assignment and upload to the same secured website, the candidate then sits for an essay exam, once again through a Prometric test center. As the questions on the essay exam are based on the assignment for Part II, it is advised to take the essay exam as soon as possible after submitting the assignment. (The last two steps are essentially one step since they are graded in unison.) Scores for the Part I exam are known immediately after taking the test; however, the scores for Parts II/III are only available after six to eight weeks through Sun's certification manager website.

SUN released the Java EE 5 version of the SCEA exam in February 2008, and the prior version (for J2EE 1.2) was retired on March 1, 2008. Candidates who already began work on the prior track had until the end of 2008 to complete their assignments, assuming they have purchased the vouchers prior to the retirement date. Sun has also made available an upgrade track consisting of a single, multiple-choice exam not unlike the Part I examination, for those who have the prior credential. Also, unlike the prior version, a candidate for the SCEA for Java EE 5 now must complete the Part II assignment within one year - the prior version had no time limit for the assignment.

Unlike other higher-level Java exams, this certification does not require passing the Sun Certified Java Programmer exam as a prerequisite. This is due to the different job-role an architect fills on the software development team.

Should the candidate pass, Sun will award the person the status of a professional Java architect. Unlike some other technology exams (such as MCSE), this exam and all of the other Sun Java exams do not have an expiration date.

Solaris Operating System Certifications

Sun Certified Solaris Associate

The Sun Certified Solaris Associate (or SCSAS), is a certification for university students and other beginners seeking to gain basic knowledge of UNIX with a Solaris Operating System (Solaris OS) emphasis. Candidates will learn basic UNIX commands and tasks, performed in the Solaris OS environment.

This certification is offered for the Solaris 10 OS, consisting of one multiple choice exam. There are no prerequisites to this exam.

Sun Certified System Administrator for the Solaris Operating System

The Sun Certified System Administrator for Solaris (or SCSA), the oldest of Sun's certifications, concentrates on in depth knowledge of the Solaris OS including knowledge of basic UNIX and Solaris OS commands management of file systems, system boot and shutdown, software install, user creation and administration, security, network printers and system processes, and system backups and restores. The test covers topics of system administration for SPARC, x64, and x86 based systems. The certification requires passing score on two separate tests, Sun Certified System Administrator for Solaris 10 OS, Part I, (exam number 310-200), and Sun Certified System Administrator for Solaris 10 OS, Part II, (exam number 310-202). The certification is targeted at System Administrators working in technical positions in the Solaris OS.

Sun Certified Network Administrator for the Solaris Operating System

The Sun Certified Network Administrator for Solaris, follows the Sun Certified System Administrator Certification and focuses on networking skills in the Solaris OS. This exam will test candidates on their knowledge of Network Interface Layers, Transport, Network Applications and configuring the Solaris IP Filter. It is recommended that candidates have three or more years experience in networking prior to this certification. The Solaris System Administration certification is a prerequisite for this certification. This certification requires a passing score on exam number 310-302. The certification is targeted at Network Administrators working in technical positions in the Solaris OS.

Sun Certified Security Administrator for the Solaris Operating System

The Sun Certified Security Administrator for Solaris (or SCSECA), the newest of Sun's Solaris certifications, concentrates on in depth knowledge of security features of the Solaris OS including installing security features, Process Rights Management, Solaris Cryptographic framework, and Solaris Zones. The certification is targeted at advanced administrators of Solaris environments with responsibility for security.