Yep I'd like to add my opinion to this ongoing debate.
I like so many others have believed that experience counts for much more than certification.
But things have changed at the company where I work. One now has to set oneself specific measurable objectives at the beginning of each year. I decided,
half heartedly, to add getting my
SCJP as one of the objectives. Well my boss excepted the "challenge" and said that was the
one objective that he wanted me to accomplish this year. Well there I was. I know a bit of
Java but heck far from enough to sit down and take the exam. So based on the rave reviews for Kathy & Bert's book I went out and bought it.
After reading the intro. I knew this is the one I want to get this year. I now see getting my SCJP as a competition with myself, I want to proof to myself that I know the language. I've learnt many a computer languages over the years and though I know some quite well, there always will be the nagging suspicion that I don't quite know and / or fully understand them.
SCJP gives me the opportunity to say with confidence
I know my stuff, and thats why I'm going for my SCJP.
ps. off course getting your SCJP does not mean one can use it, for that there is the SCJD [ January 27, 2003: Message edited by: Johannes de Jong ]