Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD)

Programmer who need to demonstrate advanced proficiency in developing complex, production-level applications using Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) technology. One must be a Sun Certified Programmer for Java 2 Platform (any edition) to take this exam

Why should I get certified?

Industry licensing and certification distinguish competent professionals from amateur or trainee workers. Sun Certified Developers for Java are compensated 31.9% or $22,550 more than their non-certified counterparts.
Companies with certified developers on their staff may find it a useful marketing tool, especially if they provide programming services or systems.

Exam details:

The Certification exam consists of two parts
Step 1 - Sun Certified Developer for Java 2 Platform, Programming Assignment (CX-310-252A)
Step 2 - Sun Certified Developer for Java 2 Platform, Essay Exam (CX-310-027)

1. A programming assignment (CX-310-252A):

The assignment requires that you write working code for a small but plausible business system. To keep the amount of work involved to a reasonable level, the programs you create will be much more restricted in capability, and much cruder in overall presentation, than anything you would actually create for a paying customer. However, the essence of the problem will be the same. You will be graded on correctly solving the technical requirements, not on the "polish" of the finished product. Note however, that some aspects of ease of use, for example how easily the program may be started or configured, will be part of the scoring criteria. Pay careful attention to any such requirements and be sure to adhere to them.

The following criteria is used to evaluate your project

1) General Considerations: This category covers criteria that deal with how easy it is to use and maintain your code.

2) Documentation: This includes your user instructions, Javadoc tool, and comments.

3) Object-Oriented Design: This covers the quality of your object-oriented design, especially as demonstrated in the structure of your classes and your use of variables and methods.

4) GUI: In this category you are graded on how well your GUI conforms to specification, and how easy your GUI is to use.

5) Locking: This category covers your implementation of the locking scheme which is described in detail in your assignment documentation. This part of your assignment deals with multi-threaded coding.

6) Data Store: This category covers your implementation of data storage, which is described in detail in your assignment documentation.

7) Network server: This category covers the network server portion of your assignment.

The maximum number of possible points is 400. The minimum passing grade is 320. The maximum points per category are:

Categories - Maximum points
General Considerations - 100
Documentation - 70
Object-Oriented Design - 30
GUI - 40
Locking - 80
Data Store - 40
Network Server - 40

APIs relevant to the assignment

The assignment generally requires that you can write code using the Java programming language, using any and all constructions. You must also be able to make reasonable use of the following additional facilities and APIs:

Thread handling and synchronization
Swing (and AWT to the extent necessary to support Swing)
Standard file IO (java.io, not java.nio)
Either: Socket-based network programming and serialization _or_ Java RMI (Java Remote Method Invocation) (your choice of one or the other, not both).

The following APIs and facilities may not be used:

Enterprise JavaBeans
Servlets, JSP technology, or any other web-oriented APIs
NIO, the New IO facilities
Java DataBase Connectivity (JDBC) and SQL
Java IDL API and CORBA
Third party software libraries or tools (such as browsers)

2. Sun Certified Developer for Java 2 Platform, Essay Exam (CX-310-027) Details:

Delivered at: Authorized Prometric-testing centers
Prerequisites: Must be Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform (any edition) Completion of Step 1 (CX-310-252A)
Other exams/assignments required for this certification: Step 1 (CX-310-252A)
Exam type: Essay
Number of questions: 4
Pass score: Subject to the evaluation of the essay exam and validation of the
Time limit: 120 minutes

AVERAGE EXAM PRICE: $ 150

For More Info: http://suned.sun.com/US/catalog/courses/CX-310-027.html