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Stuff I wished I'd learned a bit better before the exam

 
Greenhorn
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Hey,

Just back from doing my SCJP 1.5 exam, what a shocker!

If like me you have a bit of a rough knowledge of threads, can muddle through with Enums and sorta wing it with generics, you're totally gubbed (for all non Scots "gubbed" is used generally when you're a bit f*cked (I was appropriated from the expression "I gubbed his jaw" (I punched his jaw).

I thought the exam would maybe have a couple of questions on Threads at a fairly easy level (I was soooo wrong, first five questions - all about threads) I'd estimate there was about 10-12 questions in total (of the 72) that if you didn't really know how: threads, sychronization, object lock and thread deadlock work you-are-totally-gubbed. Really learn your threads. I know it's a pain, but seriously you'll be at a total disadvantage if you don't.

Add into this delicious mix the joy of generics. I'm from a C++ background and am really comfortable with templates etc, but the java implementation of templates is so tres clunky it's painful. Learn your generics inside out there was at least about 12-15 questions with them in it. When mixed in with all the Collections stuff there is a ton of gotchas. I found it really painful to learn 'cause in comparision to C++ it's more clunky than pinocchio falling down a wooden staircase, if I could repeat the learning again I'd persevere.

Enums, I purposefully learnt the bare minimum about them (Enums were lovely in C++) what the f**k is the java implentation about (Is it a special type? Is it a class? Is it a special type of class?). I will never never never use them in real life, but for the exam expect at least 10 questions with them in it. Really learn them

I would say that from my experience of the exam it focused on the new features of 1.5 i.e. Generics (especially with generics), enums, Auto-(un)Boxing. The only oldish stuff it did in detail was and a load of stuff about threads.

Final Caveat. I know the exam is suppossed to be random, but I thought I would post my experience just in case someone is repeating my experience of not really learning the clunky bits.

Cheers.
Mark
p.s. I passed by the way 63% I'm not proud but I think I am lucky!
 
Bartender
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Cool down bud. I am from a C++ background too. Thanks for sharing your exam experience. Java is not C++ however and i can understand why some people are frustrated with it when they shift from C++. Personally i didnt find it to be all that bad. I heard some one else mention that there were a lot of generics questions in the new exam. Well you passed anyway and you can use the Sun logo now, thats the bright side of the story i guess. Good luck.
 
Ranch Hand
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lucky!
and thanks your advice!
------------------
scjp1.5 Preparing
 
Ranch Hand
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Congratultaions. You passed.
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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