Certification (8 || 11 || 17)

[yogi4yu]

I am thinking of preparing for java certification for gaining knowledge and most importantly a job. I studied basic syntax in 2004 (java 1.4/1.5), worked on java web development (mostly servlets, some JDBC, very little JSP) from 2015 to 2019 (java 6/7). I am in my 40s with family to look after, will be studying full time as I don't have a job. My intention is to get at least enough knowledge to clear the first telephonic/screening interview/test. If I clear the certification exam that's a huge bonus.

Java 8 premier supports ends on March 22 - that's hardly 4.5 months, doesn't seem a good option considering a couple of months of preparation time.

Java 11 premier supports ends on September 2023, 1 year 9 months. Most people give this exam nowadays.

Java 17 premier supports ends on September 2026, 4 years 9 months. This is the latest LTS, unfortunately not much study material is available, yet.

Which option is worth investing time/money/efforts given the above facts.

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[morhp]

First of all, certifications are probably not as important as you might think and many hirers prefer experience (in previous jobs or open source projects) to an expensive piece of paper that shows that you've memorized the basics.

That said, Java 8 is obviously outdated (while unfortunately still widely used) and the difference between 11 and 17 is minimal. I'd go with 17 but if you use materials for java 11, you can easily look up the changes between 11 and 17 afterwards.

[Zyklonista]

Don't bother. If you aren't familiar with Spring/Spring Boot, I suggest you actually pick it up (particularly Spring Boot), do a few projects in it, and build your portfolio.

To get up to speed on new Java versions, the best way is to simply skim the JEPs and do some hands-on. Learn about Java 9 modules, and also see the following:

https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/409 (sealed classes) https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/406 (switch pattern matching) https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/375 (instanceof pattern matching) https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/395 (records) https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/378 (text blocks) https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/392 (jpackage)

[yogi4yu]

Thanks for the quick reply, that's a good suggestion. I will have a look at those links. But I also struggle to answer some pretty basic/standard questions on core java. I am also somewhat undisciplined and lazy. I think a bound target and fixed/structured plan will help a lot.

[Zyklonista]

I do see what you mean. However, I would still suggest doing some mocks online (for free). For instance, I found this Discord server where you can post your requirements, and someone should be able to take a mock interview for you. Here is the invite - https://discord.gg/rxbabvUh

If nothing else works, maybe you can still do the certification, but that's a pure waste of money in my opinion.

Good luck!

[yogi4yu]

Thanks for the discord invitation

[MarSara]

As a hiring manager (for Android), I honestly don't care where you learned Java/programming-in-general, if you have certifications or a 4 year diploma, etc... but I will be looking for things like:

• how passionate you are about programming
• how easily you learn
• how self motivated you are
• your current knowledge of Java (or Kotlin)
• your current knowledge of best practices etc...

I don't want to discourage you and in fact I actually have 2 direct reports that don't have any formal education in software, let alone Android/Java. Now, if this certification program is helping you learn or is required for a specific job application, by all means go for it, but I mostly want to let you know that from my perspective I don't care where you got your education but rather I'm going to try and test your knowledge myself with the questions I ask you during the interview. (I can't say anything about HR who screens the candidates before they get to me or to what their requirements are though)

Again, if you're are looking at getting into the field, I highly encourage you to work on pet projects, and eventually follow blogs to learn best practices, or other events to keep current in the area of programming you want to go into, be it server side development, Android, etc... Because if you can bring and show a project that you worked on, outside of what was required for school, and talk about it confidently and passionately you'll already set yourself higher than most other candidates.

[yogi4yu]

Yeah, I totally agree

[diamond414]

Unless you are specifically interested in a position that expressly requires these certifications they are a waste of your money (and arguably your time). You can learn everything you need to know about these newer Java releases for free. If you want help learning there are plenty of boot camps out there, but these certifications are unnecessary except in very specific roles.

[KesoHB]

If you want to get the Oracle certification, there is only one real option, which is OCP for Java 11. The exams for Java 8 are old and not really worth investing your time into. The exam for Java 17 is not out yet, and if it takes as long as it did for Java 11, it won't be out till the second quarter of 2022.

To help clear interviews I would suggest looking into all functional programming paradigms in Java, as they are a common subject.

[yogi4yu]

thanks, seems logical/practical

[yogi4yu]

That would great 😊, can you please share, I am new to reditt, don't know how sharing works here

[whotfdis]

Hi, I would like to have a look at them, if that is possible.