Netbeans IDE cerification - worth it ?

Some questions:

1- How much can one learn by studying for the Cert versus, say reading a textbook on netbeans and/or doing projects ?
2- What is its value in the IT industry ?

1- How much can one learn by studying for the Cert versus, say reading a textbook on netbeans and/or doing projects ?

You can learn a lot when you use the IDE. I dont think any company would consider IDE certification. If at all some company uses the same IDE for which you have the certification, then they might look at it. Not all companies follow the same development environment.

I dont know if Netbeans IDE certification tests for building applications on top of Netbeans platform as well.

Raghavendra Shockley wrote:Some questions:

1- How much can one learn by studying for the Cert versus, say reading a textbook on netbeans and/or doing projects ?
2- What is its value in the IT industry ?

I doubt there is much perceived value from an employer perspective ( but there should be!

) in regards to anyone being certified with the NetBeans IDE... but the main benefits are what you will pick up for yourself, such as learning all of the cool things that NetBeans can do that you didn't know about... many of these features will make your life in the programming space so much better. I'm guessing that many people that have a few certifications under their belt may also want to pick this cert up just for the challenge of it.

-- Robert

This exam is for the version 6.1 and there is no other exam on the site. The latest NetBeans version is 7.2. So, I am wondering whats the worth in taking 6.1...

Ranganathan Kaliyur Mannar wrote:This exam is for the version 6.1 and there is no other exam on the site. The latest NetBeans version is 7.2. So, I am wondering whats the worth in taking 6.1...

Most of the features of the IDE have improved, not gone away. So anything you would pick up from 6.1 still applies in 7.2.

Even little things are valuable to become acquainted with, like code completion.

I couldn't tell you how many times I used this:

sout + TAB

I didn't even know about code completion prior to the exam.

Here's a nice list of shortcuts, code completion abbreviations, etc: http://usersguide.netbeans.org/shortcuts.pdf.

Note: The big wins for me was stepping through all the refactoring features, using the database explorer, using the HTTP server-side monitor and improving my skills with debugging, JUnit testing and profiling. Plus, knowing how and when to configure the NetBeans IDE is also very valuable to be skilled at.

... and having a full appreciation of the features for the source editor(s) is truly invaluable.

-- Robert

One of the questions that I ask a prospective developer in an interview is to name 5 shortcuts they use most often while developing in their favorite IDE. Stuff like sout+TAB, cntrl+o, alt+shift+o, and others tell me that they are a serious developer

So I do believe that proficiency in your favorite IDE adds value.

However, I have observed that teams don't really care that much about which IDE you use. For example, in our team, some use Eclipse, I use NetBeans (and I update it as soon as a new version is released), and some use IntelliJ. This has been made possible because of a standard Maven based build process and a source code repository which can be used by any IDE. So that reduces the street value of an IDE certification.

Further, IDEs have such a short release cycle that certification on one version will get outdated pretty soon. I make it a point to check out "what's new" section of the release notes to learn about cool new features that can make my life easier.

Of course, only time will tell, but I think that Java IDE certifications are basically moot and will probably die out. Developing and maintaining good questions is a lot of work.

Paul Anilprem wrote:...Of course, only time will tell, but I think that Java IDE certifications are basically moot and will probably die out....

I think it all depends on the design and the delivery of the exam. In regards to the NetBeans IDE certification, it was a well thought out exam, and it also has material which persists throughout the newer releases, maintaining it's effectiveness.

In my opinion achieving any type of certification (for the most part) is a win-win. Personally, I have five certifications and am hoping to double that number in the next couple of years.

Back to the NetBeans IDE exam... I feel that preparing for it would definitely bring value and experience to anyone willing to go for it (regardless of whether or not they list the achievement on their resume).

In summary, I hope that there will be more questions on this forum in regards to individuals with questions in regards to how to move forward with getting the certification, rather than comments as to why the NetBeans IDE may not be worthwhile.

To be honest, I only foresee a handful of people willing to engage in this cert, but for those who decide to choose NetBeans Specialist (greatness

) path, I am willing to help.

My point is... NetBeans is cool, NetCat is cool, NetDEV is cool, NetFIX is cool, and the NetBeans Certification Exam is also pretty darn cool... let's embrace em!

Sincerely,
Robert

Robert Liguori wrote:My point is... NetBeans is cool, NetCat is cool, NetDEV is cool, NetFIX is cool, and the NetBeans Certification Exam is also pretty darn cool...

I agree with all except the last one.

Robert Liguori wrote: In summary, I hope that there will be more questions on this forum in regards to individuals with questions in regards to how to move forward with getting the certification, rather than comments as to why the NetBeans IDE may not be worthwhile.

I don't think it would work that way. Since this is not a well-known certification, most developers would first think about if it is worth it. Taking up the certification costs money. And, even in organisations where they generally sponsor the Java exams, they may not agree to sponsor NetBeans certification.

Preparing for the certification can help to know the tips & tricks though and can prove handy.

I just checked the release dates - 6.1 was in Apr 2008 and 6.5 was in Nov 2008 - they could at least upgrade the exam to 6.5 if not 7.0.

Ranganathan Kaliyur Mannar wrote:... I just checked the release dates - 6.1 was in Apr 2008 and 6.5 was in Nov 2008 - they could at least upgrade the exam to 6.5 if not 7.0.

As you guys may know, I wrote a book on the certification:

NetBeans IDE Programmer Certified Expert Exam Guide

The mass majority of the book was written using 6.8 (not 6.1), and I detail this throughout... and most of the book's content applies to 7.3 as well (minus any new features of course).

So there is still a lot of value with taking the exam, for those willing to read through the objectives and study for it.

I do agree though that the certification exam is not nor ever will be a popular or well sought after certification. But as it is now, I at least feel that it's a worthwhile exam, this is why I wrote the book and am still promoting the exam years later.

Also, I do feel, that while it would be beneficial, there isn't a great need to update the exam. That's because the core NetBeans features and skills that should be acquired and are relative to 6.1, do exist/persist in 7.3 today. And because... there isn't a large enough demand for the exam to go through everything that needs to be done with updating it (see I do agree with you guys, but for some, the exam is worthwhile).

-- Robert

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