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Need Serious Advice

 
Greenhorn
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Hello all,
I did wrote a small Point Of Sale solution in Java using Swings.
With a thought to achieve SCJP Certification I started reading as per the topics required for the same and I find myself nowhere .
The design was completely bad, no proper OOPs approach, etc.
I've been reading and at the same time as per the relevant topic was trying Dans mock exams, and I faint at every question.

I simply cannot understand how systematically I should approach Certification.

How many hours should I spent each day reading,
How many topic should I read everyday,
and after reading how much I should practise with examples for the topic before jumping to next topic.

Tyring Exams, Should I read the Question first and then check for the answers listed in the question, or should I look at the answer first and then check the Question.

I know it will sound funny to all the gurus but I'm all alone, can't find the correct way

Thanks & Regards,
Lucky.
 
Ranch Hand
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personally I don't believe in testing yourself on topical items.
The exam won't be like that either, with a single question testing on multiple topics (or testing on one while making it seem it's testing another).

Read and study the material for the exam and when you think you understand it do mock exams.
You can do practice questions on each section as you complete it to test whether your understanding of that section is correct.
 
Ranch Hand
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First of all, as I always do, I suggest learning Java before becoming Java certified. Being certified doesn't make you a good programmer, but being a good programmer is a great step toward certification. If you're not familiar with the Java programming language, I'd suggest starting there - get yourself a book (Head First Java, by our own Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates is a great one) and start reading.

If you know Java and feel that you have a good understanding of it, it may be time to go after your SCJP certification. In that case, it's probably time to get another book. Do some study, spend some time on the Ranch, read some websites. I can't say for sure how much time you should spend on it every day - how much time you spend is really dependent upon how soon you want to be certified. You can study just a little every day and it may take you a while to be ready for certification or you can study a lot every day and be ready in a month or so. That's really up to you.

But the key to my post is that I don't think it's good to "start" learning Java by going after your certification. The SCJP exam often teaches what can be done with Java, rather than what should be done. If this is your only experience with Java programming, I feel that your exam preparation is just as likely to produce poor programming habits as good ones.
 
Ranch Hand
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Hi all
Hey just take it easy! I started last year june with Dietel&Deitel 5th edition and within 4months i was writing good OOP and wit a little understanding of the language! BUT when i decided to take the SCJP this year i realised that it was a totally different ball game! My advice is that forget GUI based programming and concentrate on CLI(Command Line IN) based programs(Only if u decided to take SCJP 1.2)! TRY AS MUCH as possible to write code to explain every thing u have read and THOUGHT u understood! I am still preparing! Try mock exams all the time on the internet to find out how u r doing! I have an average of about 40% for now, i hope to start to get 80% wit more and more work! And good luck, we are in the same boat
 
Ranch Hand
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Lucky,

A typical way to start learning Java is by reading a Java fundamentals textbook such as one of those on the following page.

http://www.javaranch.com/bunkhouse/Beginning.jsp

The Java fundamentals textbooks typically contain far more information than what is covered by the exam. After reading the Java fundamentals textbook you can focus your studies on the subset of information that is covered by the exam by reading a Java certification study guide such as one of those on the following page.

http://www.javaranch.com/bunkhouse/Certification.jsp

Just reading the chapters in the book is not going to prepare you for the exam. You still need to make sure that you understand the material. You will also need to make sure that you have memorized the things that require memorization. Don't try the mock exams until you feel confident that you have a clear understanding of the material and remember the important facts contained in the chapter.

As I mentioned earlier, if you carefully study the content of a Java fundamentals textbook, then you will probably already know most of the information that you need for the exam and even more information that is beyond the scope of the exam. The purpose of a Java certification study guide is really just to focus your studies on the subset of information required for the exam. I receive a lot of "thank you" messages from people that studied for the exam using only a Java fundamentals textbook and my mock exams. Some of those have been students that were working through the Java fundamentals textbook for a class at school. Often, their primary motivation for using my mock exam was to prepare for exams at school rather than the SCJP exam. Other people use my mock exams along with a Java certification study guide. Either approach can work.

You mentioned that you need to learn more about OO design. A book that is very easy to read is the following.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201715945/qid=1091566169/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-4786543-5557456?v=glance&s=books
[ August 03, 2004: Message edited by: Dan Chisholm ]
 
Ranch Hand
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Dont worry abt GUI . its not covered in the SCJP 1.4 syllabus.. But if u really like to improve the GUI go for sun tutorials JGuru abt swings and use a tool like jbuilder
 
Lucky Sharma
Greenhorn
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Thanks to all who replied,
I really appreciate this.
I already placed the Order for "Head First Java".
And I'll follow the advices given by you all.
Now my company at the same time wants me to write program in Java, of which I need to be very quick to understand everything fast so to design the program properly.
Thanks again.
Lucky
 
Greenhorn
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As an FYI...

TIJ (and other books) are available
for free download at:
http://mindview.net/Books

Best.
 
With a little knowledge, a cast iron skillet is non-stick and lasts a lifetime.
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