Worth getting RH book just for SCJD Exam?

[Adam Sykes]

I've done the SCJP but without the help of the world famous RH book. I am looking at doing the SCJD exam and like everyone else I am finding few resources. Would it be really worthwhile to get the RH book for it's section on the SCJD?

[Subha Ambigapathy]

No. I won't suggest buying a book only for one section. If possible go and read it in the shop itself. That is more than enough.

[Michael Ernest]

At the risk of being a shill, I don't think the book's a bad investment for the Developer's Exam, although I can't imagine you wouldn't get anything from Simon and Phil's *wonderful* treatment of the Programmer's Exam material.
In the newest edition, the Dev Exam comes in two treatments, and covers about 250 pages -- a little more than you want to read standing up. Also, the book seems to auction quite well, so if you want to dump the book after the exams, there's an active aftermarket.
You can get a preview treatment at Amazon or Fatbrain about the content, of course...or you can ask me if you like. I don't think it would surprise anyone to say it's really the Programmer stuff that sells the book so well -- but I'd like to think I didn't just write a half-ream of filler, either.

[Anonymous]

Its got be tough to be a book seller in India with customers like Mr. Ambigapathy, if that is where he is located.

[Ann-Lis Hermansson]

Originally posted by Michael Ernest:
In the newest edition, the Dev Exam comes in two treatments, and covers about 250 pages ... about the content.... you can ask me if you like

Hi,
I have read the chapters for scjd in the "old" edition, and also in the java certification 1.1 written by Barry Boone (the yellow and black book). Boone:s chapters had an example assignment and also one possible solution for it, and a step wise discussion on each detail area eg. sockets, gui, ... (however, not with rmi, I think only sockets were the option then), something I miss in the Heller book. However, the newer Boone cert book has so bad reviews, so I'm not considering buying it.
I wonder, has the new version of Hellers book changed, or is it the same approach, just more chapters (more subjects). As I see it, they discuss on a high level, giving not so much help (less examples, just discussing pros and cons). Its easy to get confused.
I find it very hard to find good training for scjd, as it is so specialized.
/ Annie

[Michael Ernest]

In the new edition, we've gone about it two ways; the high-level approach -- design considerations, techniques in GUI building, threading, etc. -- the "not so helpful" stuff.
The brand new chapters for the Dev Exam is nut-and-bolts. For example, we walk through the major Swing components and write some code pieces to get you on your way to writing a GUI builder. We also get into the kind of data format you'll see on the exam, and so forth.
So I think we've got something for two approaches now. For people who want to know what considerations come into play in the Dev Exam, we've got something, and for people who want to know exam particulars, we've gotten as close as I'd like to get without making it look like Simon passed along any answers.
I've seen only one review for the new edition on Amazon, which surprised me a little -- but I'm eager to get more reaction to our new Developer stuff.

[Anonymous]

So Mr. Ernest, in your opinion making UML diagrams would help somebody solve the developers exam "puzzles", although you don't provide them in your book? I'd really like to hear your answer to that.

[Michael Ernest]

I'll answer any serious question from any genuine participants here, i.e., people who give their real name. I got my fill of uppity snipes from "personas" over at Salon Magazine a long time ago.
I also appreciate being quoted correctly. I'm sure UBB allows you to link to the actual post you're referring to.

Originally posted by Oliver Fiktishous:
So Mr. Ernest, in your opinion making UML diagrams would help somebody solve the developers exam "puzzles", although you don't provide them in your book? I'd really like to hear your answer to that.

[This message has been edited by Michael Ernest (edited October 27, 2000).]

[Anonymous]

That is a serious question. I mention it here, on this board, because it concerns the Developers exam. Your other discussion of UML diagrams is on the Programmers exam board. It seemed silly to put it there.
I'm interested in the answer but I don't want to give my real name. Thanks.

[Esenih Camai]

The book help me a lot in getting my SCJP2. I have been trying to read the developer exam section of the book, it did not help. The material is too abstract, I can't link what I read in the book to what I need to do for the assignment.

[Pratibha Gayake]

It is true that first time you read the developer section in RHE book, it is difficult to corelate with the assignment. But once you download the assignment and read lot of messages on this forum then you will find second reading of the book very much helpful.
After SCJP, I immediately read the developer section and I was lost. But when I downloaded the assignment and read messages on this forum, then the second reading has given vary good start for assignment.

[Michael Ernest]

Wow, who revived this old thread?
Pratibha, I wanted to say thank you for pointing this out. It didn't occur to me until you said it, but you're right, I can't see how RHE's Developer section is much help unless you're actually working on the exam.
I intended this section to be useful to someone taking the Exam, and frankly didn't think much about the otherwise curious reader. That appears to be a flaw in the section, judging by reader comments. Apparently most people just wanted to know what the Exam would be like. If there is an opportunity to rewrite for that point of view, I'll address that.
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Michael Ernest, co-author of: The Complete Java 2 Certification Study Guide
[This message has been edited by Michael Ernest (edited September 11, 2001).]