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IBM Visual Age for Java Certification

 
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Hi,
I have just managed to pass the Oracle Jcert Track and am thinking of switching over to IBM Jcert Track.Just to be conversant with the product I have decided to start with the least complicated of all the products, i.e. their IDE- VA4J.
Since I am going to learn this IDE, I might as well think of taking their test on this product (ofcourse, if it doesnot happen to be very expensive - Does anyone know about the cost of this test?).
Also any suggestions as to how I should go about learning this IDE would be helpful.
Thanks in advance,
Sandeep
Sun Certified Programmer for Java 2 Platform Scored 93%
Oracle Certified Solution Developer - JDeveloper
-- Oracle JDeveloper Rel. 3.0 - Develop Database Applications with Java Scored 56 out of 59
-- Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with UML Scored 73%
Oracle Certified Enterprise Developer - Oracle Internet Platform
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- Enterprise Connectivity with J2EE Scored 72%
-- Enterprise Development on the Oracle Internet Platform Scored 44 out of 56
[This message has been edited by Desai Sandeep (edited June 18, 2001).]
 
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I'm just starting with VAJ. Until yesterday, I would have suggested starting with the PDF document on the IDE that you will find in the help system. However, after working through the first little bit of Effective VisualAge for Java, Version 3, by Stanchfield and Mauny, it seems clear that the Stanchfield book is the way to go. The book covers 3.02 and 3.5, and includes a CD-ROM with, among other things, VAJ Professional Edition 3.5.
 
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Sandeep,
Assumption : since you are using vsnl based e-mail ID I think you are in India.
Try getting in touch with the nearest NIIT prometric center. They conduct these tests in India and they will help you out. I have their e-mail ID for Pune at Home. I will get it tomorrow so that you may e-mail to get the details. But the best way is to find it for Mumbai.
 
Rahul Mahindrakar
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By the way congrats for passing the Oracle Tests.
 
Desai Sandeep
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Hi Rahul,
Thanks.I have had very pleasant and good learning experiences at JavaRanch.Infact, my passing the last Test 486 - OOAD with UML is solely because I got a discussion forum of this type for preparing for the test.
I know the Prometric Centers in Mumbai, which conducts the VA4J test.However, my problem is how do I get a jumpstart on IBM VA4J IDE.As I mentioned sometime back, IDE's are not as simple as it looks.You have to be very much conversant with their API's and other vendor specific features.I have had a very bitter experience with Oracle JDeveloper IDE when I first started with it.It was basically because I did not know where to start from.I donot want to repeat the same mistake again.Hence, I posted this title in this forum to get the right kind of guidance.
I have had bitter experiences with all these Computer institutes.They donot have proper training facilities at all.They had mislead me with how I should have gone about learning the Oracle IDE.I believe it is best to study all by yourself and have a discussion forum like JavaRanch to help you out whereever you get stuck.
I should say you guys are very lucky to have a forum like this to discuss the problems about IBM products.I had to slog all alone to get that Deployment of Java Components and other Oracle specific features working.It was a pathetic time for me.
Once I had crossed and reached the other side, things look very simple.This is the reason, I would suggest that we should have individual forums for each of the vendor Jcert track.It will really motivate people who want to get Certified.
Hope posts on IBM IDE's are invited in this forum.
Thanks in advance,
Sandeep
[This message has been edited by Desai Sandeep (edited June 19, 2001).]
 
Desai Sandeep
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Hi John,
I had bought "The Ultimate IBM Visual Age for Java Tutorial" by IBM Press sometime back.This is in form of a CD and shows step-by-step process of getting along with VA4J.If you have used this anytime,please let me know your views.
I have another book "Enterprise Development with Visual Age for Java Version 3.0".Any comments on this book would also be helpful.
Thanks in advance,
Sandeep

 
Rahul Mahindrakar
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Hope posts on IBM IDE's are invited in this forum


Yes posts on IBM's VAJ are most welcome. I am trying my best to make people come down here so that we all can gain from the knowledge. I know you have posted and contributed a lot in the Javaranch forums since the last few months. The questions you have asked have also been good and have stumped me sometimes.


I believe it is best to study all by yourself and have a discussion forum like JavaRanch to help you out whereever you get stuck


Yes this is indeed the approach that i have taken to learning.
If you feel that the ranch does not cover an important area and should have it you can suggest a new forum in the JavaRanch forum. After discussion maybe you can be offered the Moderator of that forum and i will definetly second the motion in the Moderators forum.
 
John Dale
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I didn't try any other books, or the Ultimate Tutorial. The tutorials I downloaded focused on visual composition, with too little on the rest of the IDE.
The sections in Stanchfield are: Getting to Know VisualAge for Java (the IDE), JavaBeans Components, Visual Programming, Advanced Programming (e.g., database, distributed, EJB, Servelet/JSP, Tools API). He doesn't try to teach Java.
 
Desai Sandeep
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Hi John,
I found a link of Recommended Resources for Test 282 (or 401), IBM VisualAge for Java,Professional Edition V3
Enterprise Development using VisualAge for Java Version 3 is the recommended book for this test.
From my past experiences of taking the IBM test(s), I believe we should follow this book, unless and until we already have acquired a good knowledge of this product.In my case, since I am new to the IBM product I really cannot take a chance.
I have VisualAge for Java Version 3.5,Professional Edition with me.Also since I am Visual Age Developer Domain (VADD) Subscriber, I would be getting the latest version i.e. VisualAge for Java Version 3.5.3,Professional Edition very soon.So do you think I would need to go for Effective Visual Age for Java Version 3.0?
Thanks in advance,
Sandeep

[This message has been edited by Desai Sandeep (edited June 20, 2001).]
 
Desai Sandeep
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Hi Rahul,
Thank you for your response.I would post messages on VA4J in this forum.
As regards Jcert Certifications, I feel we can start of with one common discussion forum (say this forum itself or say a new forum) and as people start coming in we can later classify it into seperate forums as and when required.
I believe just like you have groups addressing to Sun 3 Level Certifications there should be a forum(s) that addresses the technical needs of the each Jcert "Vendor" products.I can see this picking up in the future, especially the IBM Jcert.Hence sooner or later your forum is bound to attract lots of people.

Oracle Jcert is also doing well after Oracle has released their new Application Server 9iAS and other 9i Suite of integrated products.I can see lot of promise in Oracle Java products.Their latest AS offers far more features than other AS and is going to give IBM and BEA a run for their money.However, I haven't come across any posts which requires technical solutions for Oracle Java Products.But this just may be because there is no discussion forum to address these issues.Who knows?
However, things are not quite the same with BEA WebLogic.It is undisputably the best Application Server in the market so far.I have been seeing quite a few number of posts on BEA Weblogic in the EJB discussion forum.I guess JavaRanch has come out with a seperate BEA WebLogic forum (WebLogic Servers) because of increased demand of BEA products.So now we can have EJB core concepts discussed in the existing EJB forum and BEA product issues in the "Weblogic Servers" forum.
Similarly, HP Saphire Application Server and Netscape- Sun iPlanet Application Servers needs may also be addressed.
I can suggest 2 ways going about it.

  • Start a seperate forum which addresses the technical needs of each Jcert vendor.May be the traffic would be low initially, but it would pick up soomer or later.
  • Have a common discussion forum for "non-famous" Jcert vendors products (Oracle,HP,Sun-Netscape) and then depending on the need, factor them as seperate forums.

  • I can contribute in any way required to JavaRanch forums, since it has helped me a lot to complete the Jcert track.
    Thank you,
    Sandeep
    [This message has been edited by Desai Sandeep (edited June 20, 2001).]
 
Rahul Mahindrakar
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Desai ,
How do we become a Visual Age Developer Domain (VADD) Subscriber
Thanks
 
Desai Sandeep
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Hi Rahul,
Please refer to the Access levels for VisualAge Developer Domain site.
There are 3 Levels of subscription FREE,Subscription (Web + CD) and Enterprise Subscription.
I have gone for Subscription (Web + CD) offer which costs about Rs 9000/-.You can subscribe to this subscription by clicking here.On this page you would need to buy the subscription using the "BuyOnet" link.

Hope this helps,
Sandeep
PS : If you are wanting to spend some money do go for IBM Developer Toolbox Subscription instead of VADD subscription.You get more IBM e-commerce products than VADD.The cost of this subscription is Rs. 20,000/- for the Enterprise Level.Remember, IBM sets the cost as per economies of the countries.The same subscription costs about Rs. 60,000/- in the US.Also, this includes Visual Age for Java IDE along with Websphere and all the other IBM Products.You may like to refer to their Product Catalog here
If you are interested in buying this,I can forward you the details of the IBM contact person in Bangalore.
The benefits that you get out of the ToolBox subscription is that you can start developing something on your own and join the IBM "Partner World of Developers".In this way you can have a backing of IBM in what ever you are doing.Who knows you may start something of your own and employ me .
-- Sandeep
[This message has been edited by Desai Sandeep (edited June 20, 2001).]
 
Rahul Mahindrakar
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Actually my company is intrested in being an IBM partner and i am intrested too as this would help me in getting the required software etc very easily.
Can you give me the id of the person in Bangalore who can help me out.
Thanks
 
Desai Sandeep
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Hi Rahul,
These are the details.

Roopa Aneja
Program Manager,
PartnerWorld for Developers,
IBM India Ltd
Golden Towers, Airport Road,
Bangalore - 560017.
Phone No: [91] 80 5267117 Extn: 3593
raneja@in.ibm.com

- Sandeep
 
Rahul Mahindrakar
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Thanks i will check it up. To be a "Partner World of Developers" for commercial organisations do you have any idea if there are any prerequisites.
 
Desai Sandeep
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Rahul,
There is PartnerWorld for Developers Track Guide 2001, which has various sub-sections.Check out the "Membership Levels" and "Membership Criteria" links in the above page.
Hope this helps,
Sandeep
PS: BTW, I am not sure if the three levels of "IBM Developer Toolbox" is same as the "PartnerWorld for Developers" (I believe it is different!).If you recieve any further information on this please do let me know.
-- Sandeep
[This message has been edited by Desai Sandeep (edited June 21, 2001).]
 
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Sandeep,
Glad to know you are working towards VA4j exam now. I started preparing for that too recently. My initial intention was to get certified on 3.5, but IBM doesn't offer that. Anyway, for the exam, you might want to go through those pdfs that come with the software too. From what I heard from my friend who passed the exam, the book alone is not sufficient.
Good luck!
[This message has been edited by Caroline Iux (edited July 02, 2001).]
 
John Dale
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Caroline,
I think that when IBM says the certificatoins are for V3, they mean 3.x, including 3.5. They say V3.x when stating the experience you should have before you start preparing.
Sandeep,
Stanchfield & Mauny's Effective VisualAge for Java, Version 3 includes coverage of version 3.02 and 3.5. It even includes a copy of the Professional Edition, version 3.5, making it a cheap way to get a VAJ if you don't already have it, at least in the US.
 
Desai Sandeep
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Hi Caroline,
It would nice to discuss the technical issues regarding VA4J Test in this discussion forum with you.I would start preparing for this test in about a week's time.
Hi John,
As regards Stanchfield & Mauny's Effective VisualAge for Java, Version 3, do I need to go for this book, if I have the product with me.I am VisualAge Developer Domain (VADD) subscriber and have already received the latest version of this product.I intend to browse through the product documentation to prepare for this test.
If I start reading Stanchfield's book instead, will it save time?Will it reduce my learning curve?If it does, I will go ahead and buy this book.Please do let me know.
Thanks in advance,
Sandeep
[This message has been edited by Desai Sandeep (edited July 01, 2001).]
 
John Dale
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I cannot advise you on whether one VAJ book is better than another because I've only looked at one, Stanchfield & Mauny's Effective VisualAge For Java, Version 3 (which covers 3.5). Nor have I determined whether this book is especially good for the IBM's test 282. I just want to be sure that readers of this discussion realize the book covers 3.5, not just 3.0. I like the book so far, and find it is helping me learn what I need to use VAJ for what I'm doing at work. The table of contents is posted at www.javadude.com. There are some customer reviews at www.amazon.com.
I intend to take IBM's VAJ test someday, but I'm currently less concerned about what I need for the test than what I need to do my project.
I wonder if discussion of the IBM test 282 might be visible to more interested people in the Developer Certification forum, or the IDE forum. Maybe that's the place to ask what books to use. However, as I recall, you already have the recommended book(s).
 
Caroline Iux
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Hi, Sandeep and John,
It would be nice if we can discuss questions regarding to the exam here. This helped tremendously when I was getting ready for UML cert. As to the books, my friend only read the recommended book(Read Enterprise Development using VisualAge for Java Version 3) and those pdfs.
Good luck!
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