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Official Replies from Sun Microsystems

 
Greenhorn
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Ok I am aware that all of us are always concerned about certain issues like automated testing and about the interface given to you. I have e-mailed Sun Microsystems, and they replied to me with the following:

Question 1: I understand that I'm not allowed to modify the DB interface. However, all I have done is remove the "public" keyword from all the method signatures, as interface methods are always public, so adding that keyword is redundant. At the same time, I did not include the original comments from the instructions into my file (although I wrote the javadoc for the interface). Are such changes permitted? Does the "no modification" rule only apply to the method signatures and interface name?

Reply from Sun Microsystems: This is considered legal modification, as the method signatures themselves are unchanged. As long as the method names, return types and arguments adhere to the specs, you are fine.

Question 2: By stating that my Data class must implement the DB interface, does it mean DIRECT implementation? Am I allowed to create a subinterface of DB, and let the Data class implement that subinterface?

Reply from Sun Microsystems: Contrary to popular belief, this is actually legal. Implementation can be either direct or indirect, as long as your class implements it.

Question 3:All the specs require is that the Data class implements the DB interface. Does this actually mean that I can design this class in any way I want, as long as I implement the interface? I'm worried about how Sun Microsystems actually performs automated testing on the Data class. My Data class has external dependencies that can only be fulfilled when certain conditions are met (e.g. client connects to server).

Reply from Sun Microsystems: Don't worry about automated tests. We stopped using automated testing several years ago. Your assignment specs probably mentioned about software testing. The software testing only tests the following:

1) Your JAR file contents. They must conform to the specs (such as the folders you must have and so on).

2) Test if you illegally modify the interface given to you, and test if your implementation class implements that interface (once again, indirect implementation is allowed).
 
Ranch Hand
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Reply from Sun Microsystems: Don't worry about automated tests. We stopped using automated testing several years ago. Your assignment specs probably mentioned about software testing. The software testing only tests the following:

1) Your JAR file contents. They must conform to the specs (such as the folders you must have and so on).

2) Test if you illegally modify the interface given to you, and test if your implementation class implements that interface (once again, indirect implementation is allowed).



I have never seen a post that had an official reply or statement on this matter. Very refreshing and comforting to see this. Thank you for posting this Stephen!
 
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Thanks Stephen.
It helps us to develop the application...

daniel
 
Stephen Loh
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Welcomed. I hope these replies from Sun Microsystems will ease up all of you, especially those who worry about how to design the Data class so that automated tests can be performed (now you know, they no longer do that).

There are also people who keep asking if they can extend the interface and let the implementation class implement the subinterface. Now you guys can ease up too, since it is legal.

I must admit though, I am the first person who jumps in joy when the Sun Microsystems representative told me that they no longer perform automated tests.
 
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Can't thank you enough for doing us all a HUGE favor.
 
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Wow. I submitted my project 5 days ago. Reading this a month ago sure would have saved me a lot of pondering.

Thanks for sharing.
 
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Thank you for getting clarification on that. It helps a lot.
 
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Thank you Stephen. Nice to see such clarification.
 
Stephen Loh
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Oh you guys are welcomed. It's a pleasure to be able to help this way. Maybe this topic can be pinned, so that new members in the future do not have to worry about such issues? Just a suggestion only.
[ February 09, 2005: Message edited by: Stephen Loh ]
 
Andrew Monkhouse
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Hi Stephen,

I don't know about pinning it - there are far too many potential topics I would want to pin in that case . I have 47 bookmarks to different SCJD related pages (all except 3 of them are in this forum), but I normally only reference them when adding a reply to a specific question in this forum - otherwise there is a big risk that readers will get confused.

What we probably should do is add a new Wiki page for Sun responses - as with many things, I haven't had time, but you could always do it yourself . The JavaRanch SCJD FAQ is on a Wiki, so it would be easy to either list these topics on that page, or create a new page from there.

Here's a few more "Sun responses" to various questions asked (in case someone wants to get started on this):
  • US-ASCII / ISO-8859-1
  • Spaces vs. Nulls in data file
  • Don't change interface
  • Verbosity of design document
  • NIO may be used
  • Server database location
  • Up to 8 digits in client ID
  • Choosing which assignment to do
  • Only 4 questions now

  • The last two items are a perfect example of why I don't normally just list all the topics I have bookmarked - 99% of SCJD candidates are not in a position to choose their assignment. Likewise many candidates would be unaware (and probably wouldn't care) that there used to be 5 questions asked on the exam.

    Regards, Andrew
    [ February 09, 2005: Message edited by: Andrew Monkhouse ]
     
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