Do I need official certifications as a Java developer? This is a question that almost all Javisists ask themselves (and more experienced colleagues) at some stage in their careers. The answer to it, as well as what kind of Java certifications generally exist, we will try to analyze in this article. Despite the fact that most Java professionals, including both the programmers themselves and their employers, put practical experience first of all, and not formal education and all kinds of professional documents, sometimes certification can still be useful. When evaluating employees and their level, actual experience and the number of years a person has been in the industry will almost always be the determining factors. But the presence of certain certifications can also be useful, especially for some companies, because they increase the value of an employee in the eyes of the employer. As experienced Java programmers note, employers in Russian-speaking countries rarely require certificates when assessing the level of a Java coder, but they will not be superfluous. According to the thematic surveyAt Pearson VUE, 88% of IT professionals recommended that colleagues obtain some form of certification when it comes to career advancement and skill development. Oracle certifications are the most popular and respected among Java developers. 74% of respondents noted that specialized certificates that cover a specific technology or stack of technologies are considered the best and most useful, and Oracle Java certificates meet these requirements the best.
Key Benefits of Java Certification
Here are the main benefits of professional certifications for Java coders. First of all, having a certification can help employers and recruiters stand out from other candidates with the same skills and the same level of experience. And this can be very useful, especially for beginner Java developers applying for positions with a lot of competition among applicants. In such cases, any methods that help to leave competitors behind will be good (within the limits of decency and ethics, of course). In such a situation, having certification can give you a number of small but tangible bonuses. So, certification serves as additional proof that you really have these technical skills, and not just added them to your resume for solidity. Well, preparing for the exam, which precedes the receipt of any certification, will help to understand and fix in memory all the main features of these technologies. In addition, having a certification can save you from having to take tests on this technology during an interview, and this is always a plus, as it saves time and nerves. And finally, Java certification can, although not by much, increase the level of the salary offered and increase the chances of moving up the career ladder in the near future. Not to mention the fact that in this way you can build confidence in your qualifications as a Java programmer, and just increase your heart rate, which is always nice. because it saves time and nerves. And finally, Java certification can, although not by much, increase the level of the salary offered and increase the chances of moving up the career ladder in the near future. Not to mention the fact that in this way you can build confidence in your qualifications as a Java programmer, and just increase your heart rate, which is always nice. because it saves time and nerves. And finally, Java certification can, although not by much, increase the level of the salary offered and increase the chances of moving up the career ladder in the near future. Not to mention the fact that in this way you can build confidence in your qualifications as a Java programmer, and just increase your heart rate, which is always nice.
Overview of Java Certifications from Oracle
As noted above, certificates from Oracle are quoted primarily when it comes to Java programmers. Therefore, further we will talk about what certifications from Oracle exist, what they include and how to get them. By the way, before Sun Microsystems, along with all its assets, was taken over by Oracle in 2010, Oracle certifications were called Sun certifications. For example, the current Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer (OCPJP) was formerly known as the Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP).
Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (OCAJP) - Java SE 8 Programmer I
The first, most basic level of Java certification, for Java SE 8, offered by Oracle. Covers all the basic concepts of Java programming, helps to strengthen the understanding of the fundamental aspects of Java, as well as to expand the knowledge of programming in general. Obtaining an OCAJP certification will be the first step and starting point for those who wish to level up by adding official certifications to their resume. Having an OCAJP shows that a programmer has all the necessary skills to become an expert in Java development (well, at least in theory).
How to get OCAJP certification?
To get started, learn Java SE 8 from beginner to intermediate level, get a starting practical experience in using Java SE 8. Then you can proceed to the exam, after passing which you will receive a certification. Exam Fee: US$150 Exam Topics:
Creating and Using Arrays
Java Exception Handling
Java Basics
Using Loops
Using Operators and Control Structures
Inheritance Rules in Java
Type conversion in Java
Working with Methods and Encapsulation
JAVA API base and utility classes
Exam Code Number: 1Z0-808 Duration: 150 minutes Passing Score: 65% Certification Requirements: Not required. Number of questions in the exam: 70 Type of questions: multiple choice answers. Exam Page: OCAJP - Java SE 8 Programmer I
Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (OCAJP) - Java SE 11 Programmer I
Oracle also has a certification option for Java Standard Edition 11. The sequence of steps is the same as in the case of Java SE 8 - we learn theory to an intermediate level, then we pass an exam. Exam Fee: US$150 Exam Topics:
Application of encapsulation
Creating and Using Methods
Creating Simple Java Programs
Description and use of objects and classes
Exception Handling
Java Technology and the Java Development Environment
Abstract classes and interfaces
Implementation Reuse and Inheritance
Understanding Modules
Using Operators and Control Structures
Working with Java Arrays
Working with Java Primitive Types and String Handling
Exam Code Number: 1Z0-815 Duration: 180 minutes Passing Score: 63% Certification Requirements: Not required. Number of questions in the exam: 80 Type of questions: multiple choice of answers. Exam Page: OCAJP - Java SE 11 Programmer I
Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer (OCPJP) - Java SE 8 Programmer II
OCPJP is already a professional certification level, which means that the holder of this certificate has a sufficient level of knowledge and experience in Java SE 8 for a full-fledged employment. To earn an OCPJP, you must first pass the exam for the previous basic certification, the OCAJP. Exam Fee: US$150 Exam Topics:
Advanced class design
Building Database Applications with JDBC
Concurrency in Java
Exceptions and Approvals
Generics and Collections
I/O system
Java IO Fundamentals (NIO.2)
Java Stream API
Built-in functional interfaces
Localization
Using the Java SE 8 Date/Time API
Exam Code Number: 1Z0-809 Duration: 150 minutes Passing Score: 65% Certification Requirements: OCAJP 8 Number of Exam Questions: 85 Question Type: Multiple Choice. Exam Page: OCAJP - Java SE 8 Programmer II
Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer (OCPJP) - Java SE 11 Programmer II
The second, professional level of certification for Java Standard Edition 11. Requires a first level of OCAJP certification. Exam Fee: US$150 Exam Topics:
Annotations in Java
Built-in functional interfaces
Concurrency in Java
Building Database Applications with JDBC
Exceptions and Approvals
Functional Interfaces and Lambda Expressions in Java
Generics and Collections
IO (basics and NIO.2)
Java Basics
Java interfaces
Java Stream API
Lambda operations on streams
Localization
Migrating to a Modular Application
Secure Coding in a Java SE Application
Services in a modular application
Exam Code Number: 1Z0-816 Duration: 180 minutes Passing Score: 63% Certification Requirements: OCAJP 11 Number of Exam Questions: 85 Question Type: Multiple Choice. Exam Page: OCAJP - Java SE 11 Programmer II
Oracle Certified Professional Java Application Developer (OCPJAD) - Java EE 7
The Oracle Certified Professional Java EE 7 Application Developer certification certifies a programmer's ability to develop and deploy applications using Java Enterprise Edition 7. OCPJAD is well suited for front-end and back-end developers and application architects with at least intermediate or advanced Java EE 7 skills. To pass this certification, you must first obtain an OCAJP. Exam Fee: US$150 Exam Topics:
Batch API
CDI Beans
Parallelism
Building Java Applications Using WebSockets
Building Java Web Applications Using JSP
Java web application development using servlets
Developing web applications using JSF
Implementing business logic using EJBs
Executing REST Services Using the JAX-RS API
Implementing SOAP Services Using the JAX-WS and JAXB APIs
Java EE 7 architecture
Java EE 7 Security
Java messenger API
Managing persistence using JPA entities and BeanValidation
Exam Code Number: 1Z0-900 Duration: 150 minutes Passing Score: 66% Certification Requirements: OCAJP Number of Exam Questions: 70 Question Type: Multiple Choice. Exam Page: Java EE 7 Application Developer
The Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect (OCMJEA) is Oracle's most prestigious Java certification. Its presence indicates that the developer has all the necessary skills and knowledge in Java to implement full-scale application development projects - from the initial stages to launch and support. Thus, professionals wishing to take the OCMJEA must demonstrate that they have a very, very wide range of skills that go beyond the basic knowledge of Java programming.
How to get OCMJEA certification?
You must first complete one of the following courses:
Architect Enterprise Applications with Java EE
Developing Applications for the Java EE 6 Platform
Developing Applications for the Java EE 7 Platform
Developing Applications with Java EE 6 on WebLogic Server 12c
Java Design Patterns
Java EE 6: Develop Business Components with JMS & EJBs
Java EE 6: Develop Database Applications with JPA
Java EE 6: Develop Web Services with JAX-WS & JAX-RS
In conclusion, I would like to address our readers. Write in the comments your opinion about Java certifications, whether it makes sense to receive them and, if you have had the experience of obtaining them, whether they help in employment and professional development.
Despite the fact that most Java professionals, including both the programmers themselves and their employers, put practical experience first of all, and not formal education and all kinds of professional documents, sometimes certification can still be useful. When evaluating employees and their level, actual experience and the number of years a person has been in the industry will almost always be the determining factors. But the presence of certain certifications can also be useful, especially for some companies, because they increase the value of an employee in the eyes of the employer. As experienced Java programmers note, employers in Russian-speaking countries rarely require certificates when assessing the level of a Java coder, but they will not be superfluous. According to the thematic surveyAt Pearson VUE, 88% of IT professionals recommended that colleagues obtain some form of certification when it comes to career advancement and skill development. Oracle certifications are the most popular and respected among Java developers. 74% of respondents noted that specialized certificates that cover a specific technology or stack of technologies are considered the best and most useful, and Oracle Java certificates meet these requirements the best.
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