Sun Java Programmer Plus Certification Beta Delayed

Well, after much speculation that Sun was back-tracking on going forward right now with the SCJP Plus exam, it indeed seems like it is delayed. I just got the following email:

Dear Cameron (and Lukas),
Thank you for your interest in the Sun Java Programmer Plus Certification – Sun's first performance based Java Certification exam.
We wanted to inform you that the full beta for the new Sun Java Programmer Plus Certification has been delayed to later in this year based on the results from initial beta testing and to align more closely with the upcoming release of JDK 7. We will get back in touch with you as soon as we have revised dates for the full beta test. If you have any questions or feedback, please send a message to sunlearninglink@sun.com

Thank you, Sun Microsystems

I did think it was strange that they'd usurp the Java 6 exam. Why not just wait for a new full release of the exam? And of course, I'm sure they'll have a few bugs to iron out with the new testing engine.

Version 7 of the JDK is currently available as an early access download, but JDK Milestone 5 isn't expected until Sept. 09, so who knows when the final release will be available. It usually takes a good number of months after a JDK release for any new SCJP exam to be released, let alone one that uses a new testing engine.

"Delayed to later in this year..." I think that's overly optimistic, seeing that a full release of JDK 7 might not happen until very late in 2009. I don't expect to see this come back on the radar until February or March 2010, but that's pure speculation.

Much has been discussed about SCJP Plus. Most questions can only be answered by the phrase "who knows?" For some more info on SCJP plus, check out these threads:

A New SCJP Plus Certification? JavaRanch Thread
Original Description of SCJP Plus from Sun How long will this link last?
Jeanne's Blog on SCJP Plus

I still want to know what they'll call this new exam? SCJP? SJPP? I don't like the "Pee-Pee" bit at the end. SJPPC? OSJPPC? SCJPPlus? SJPPlus? Will it ever be branded Oracle?

-Cameron McKenzie

The same mail for me

Campbell,
I got it too - I assume they sent it to everyone who registered. Thanks for posting it so quickly!

I don't like the "Pee-Pee" bit at the end

How about DiddySCJP ?

I got the same email. Perhaps JDK7 is a higher priority right now and that is why they are delaying this. Who knows. Any comment would be speculation

Why they are waiting for Java 7.0? since they are going to test for the performance of the programmer, i don't think the version is much important. lets wait and watch.

Got the same mail (fingers crossed

)

so finally it is SOK? [Sun Only Knows!!]. Hopefully till this year the older SCJPs would remain?

Thanks Cameron and other JavaRanch members for helpfull information about exam.

Cameron Wallace McKenzie wrote:
Original Description of SCJP Plus from Sun How long will this link last?
-Cameron McKenzie

Just as predicted - the link is now dead.

Cameron Wallace McKenzie wrote:

Cameron Wallace McKenzie wrote:
Original Description of SCJP Plus from Sun How long will this link last?
-Cameron McKenzie

Just as predicted - the link is now dead.

The link was dead a few days ago and was dead intermittently back in July. I think it is fair to say however that the plus exam is not coming out this year, or until the next 6-12 months. They probably want JDK 7 out of the way before they get this done. At least, from their last communication it seems like they want to keep this dream afloat

An update. Sun might be adding closures to JDK 7. Here is a blog post with a screenshot

http://puredanger.com/tech/2009/11/18/closures-after-all/

It also appears JDK 7 roll out might be close to the end of 2010. SCJP Plus must be a looooooooonggg way away. I have not seen the devoxx presentation myself so it is hard to form an opinion, but I thought it is important enough to let you guys know.

The final milestone, M7, is scheduled for March. I've seen some stuff behind the scenes about updating tests, so I think the update will be soon after the release.

http://openjdk.java.net/projects/jdk7/milestones/

Of course, I do see an M10 milestone for September '10

I'm at the Devoxx conference in Antwerp, Belgium.

Sun made some announcements here yesterday - JDK 7, which was initially scheduled for March 2010, is going to be delayed until September 2010. And indeed, they are planning to add some form of closures to JDK 7 (despite what was said a few months ago).

So, I guess it's safe to assume that SCJP 6 will remain for a while.

"Form of closures?" What's that?

I meant: closures in one way or another; there have been several proposals for closures in Java in the past few years, and I don't know exactly which, if any, of those proposals they have selected.

Sun made some announcements here yesterday - JDK 7, which was initially scheduled for March 2010, is going to be delayed until September 2010. And indeed, they are planning to add some form of closures to JDK 7 (despite what was said a few months ago).

Thanks for confirming that.

Any update on Plus certification guys? I am in dilemma whether to go ahead with scjp 1.6 or wait till Plus rolls out.

The Java 7 release is a long way away. It's a waste of your time to prepare for something that doesn't exist yet. Do your SCJP cert as soon as you can, and then move on to other certifications.

And Naveenk, if you could take a gander at the JavaRanch Naming Policy and update your profile, it'd be appreciated by everyone at the ranch.

http://www.javaranch.com/name.jsp

Kindest regards,

-Cameron McKenzie

Thank you Cameron. I will start preparing for SCJP 1.6. Can someone recommend good books for taking SCJP 1.6 exam?