WebLogic, Websphere ??

[Priya Kurian]

Hello Friends,
I am new to Java Ranch and I really appreciate your efforts here help each other.
I am a student with some experience in Java Front end Development. I am planning to take my SCJP exam in June and started preparing for the same. I see a lot of demand in Java-Websphere combination and also Java-Weblogic combination. I am not knowledgeable in Websphere and Weblogic. can any of you please advice me which combination is better to learn and apply and also the available certifications and study methods, so that I can start some appl dev on my own.I would really appreciate your help. I basically need "what is what" info and also the advantages and disadvantages of using both.....
Thanks

[stara szkapa]

Both combinations are equivalent, and it is not possible to say which one is better. Everyone has different reasons to go with one or the other. In my case I go with WebSphere because it integrates better with DB2 and Lotus Notes which I already know.

[Ravi vv]

Welcome!!
Since you r a beginner, I can Advise you the following
1. Go for a nice beginner book on Java and get the fundamentals.
2. Take the books written particularly for SCJP and do the practise tests and clear the certification.
3. Go for books on Sevlets/Jsp and learn the basics of them.
4. If you r interested u can clear the SCWCD exam too..
5. Then you can decide either to go for WebSphere/weblogic..to do small Apps on Servlets/Jsp etc... I feel at this stage u get more confidence on using these tools.
For a start, I feel WSAD will be good enough as you can integrate that well with Visual age and some database and get exposure to them too...
once u r familiar with websphere learning WL will be bit faster and easier...
Hope this will help u...
--
Ravi
SCJP SCWCD

[Priya Kurian]

Thank a lot... I reallly appreciate it. Now,I have some tips to do resarch on. I am pretty good with basic java programming and will be taking the SCJP exam in June..hopefully WSAD will follow.
Thanks again and please add further helpful tips you can give me about Cerifications, Product Purchase, Any trial Version to help me learn , Tutorial, books instructions etc...
Any good sites where I can refer to...

[Ravi vv]

Priya:
Ohh.. if you are confortable with Basic Java then cool..
If you are looking purely to pass the certification then the preparation will be diffrent..else if you are planning to gain more grip on subject along with the certfication then approach is diffrent...How r u planing...
I have few yrs of experience in Java and cleared both certifications in 15 days preparation.
WSAD latest versions trial version should be available on the net. I am not sure where u r from..if u r in US its easier to download
- Ravi

[Priya Kurian]

Hello Ravi,
I have about 2 yrs experience in SWING- not much . And I am in US , so I think downloading would be easy. My plan is to just to prepare for the certification now and can think about mastering and playing around with the product later( I think I can do SCJP in a month- want to know abt websphere) .As I mentioned earlier , I am a student-will be graduating in May and planning to do this during summer break, So would you please let me know how you started off with the preperation. Is it that I need a lot of time really working with the product rather than going through the theory ?
Just give me tips on how to start it.....
Thanks again,
Priya

[Ravi vv]

Hi Priya,
I have gone through the Java2 Complete Reference Book for the relavant topics in the begining once.
Next, I took the book "Sun Certfied Programmer and Developer for Java2" McGrawHill publications.. This is perfect for the exam point of view..I read it twice and practised the tests provided by them.
I practised 3 tests which are purchased at SUN Site (if u want I can send them through an email or so I have them in Word doc..)
Thats it....
Basically, if u r good at catching the compilation errors by looking at code you r through...Theory should be perfect...
let me know..if this helps...
- Ravi

[Priya Kurian]

Hi ,
Couldn't check our ranch for teh past two weeks.Got busy with my final exams. Any way,
ravi thanks a lot for the tips.I really appreciate all your help. Is there any way to get those questions you bought from SUN. Let me know if you need my e-mail id or any other info to send it.Thanks,
Priya

[Al Newman]

Ann, Sun is developing a new certification for Business Component Developers which will co-exist with the SCWCD certification. The new exam will cover EJB's but not be vendor-specific. So you may wish to consider waiting for that to be released.
I concurr with the suggestion that you begin with the SCWCD and then go on, because doing either Weblogic or Websphere certifications will be easier if you know Servlet/JSP first. Don't limit yourself to what is on the SCWCD curriculum though. At a minimum you also need to know Struts and JSTL.

[VV Ravi]

Priya,
I wish you did your exams good...
I can send you those papers to your email..send me the id..Good luck
Ravi

[Art Smith]

You might want to gain exposure to both. Check on employers in your area to see if there is a clear perference. If not do both.
My rule of thumb is:
What ever you don't know (technology wise) is what they(employers) are going to want.
Just my .02 cents worth.

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

Hi, Ann

Welcome to JavaRanch. Glad to have you around.

I must point out, however, that your name does not match the JavaRanch Naming Policy. Please adjust your display name and welcome again to our neighborhood.

[Priya Kurian]

Obviously I did not know the naimg policy. My name is Priya Ann Kurian , so fom now on I will try to use Priya Kurian , instead of just Ann.. (Which I thought would be easier to remember .
Thanks for letting me know.
Priya

[Priya Kurian]

Ravi,
Think i had send you aprivate message with my mail id... Incase you didn't get It you can send it to [e-mail]