All That You Must Know About Java Certification

Thinking of making your career in programming? Not a bad idea, as there’s a high demand of programmers today. Also, being certified in a technology or programming language can considerably increase the chances of employment and improve your skills. One of the most widely used programming languages is Java and thus, Java programmers are required all around the world. If you are looking to get a Java Certification, you can get it from Oracle.

Getting this certification is not that difficult or expensive. Once you’re certified you can make your own mobile app, Java games, web apps and market it. You can use coupons to host your Java app since coupons can help you save a decent amount of money when launching your app. You can also use coupons to purchase the test preparation material or when booking the test, you can save a decent amount off the test.

Java Certification from Oracle basically tests your knowledge and skills in Java programming language. If you pass this test, it certifies that you have ample knowledge to program software in Java language. It can be considered a benchmark of Java knowledge and expertise.

Oracle is the company behind the Java language so their certification carries a lot of weight. Previously, there used to be just one test for Java certification. However, now Oracle has divided the certification into two parts:

Oracle Certified Associate (OCA)

This is an entry-level certification designed for beginners to intermediate level Java programmers. It certifies that you have covered all the basics of the programming language. It covers the very basics as well as some advanced topics including polymorphism, inheritance, abstract classes, and APIs. The basics would include variable, data types, access modifiers, methods, and exceptions.

Here are the topics covered in this test:

Java Basics (Look at a simple Code printing “Hey Dear” words)

public class FirstJavaProgram {

/* This is my first java program.

* This will print 'Hey Dear' as the output

*/

public static void main(String []args) {

System.out.println("Hey Dear"); // prints Hey Dear

}

}

Working With Java Data Types ( Java is statically typed and also a strongly typed language and has the following types of data)

public static void main(String[] args) {

byte byteDataType =10;

short shortDataType =12;

int intDataType = 12753;

int calc = -87635;

long longDataType = 123456789;

float floatDataType = 12.42f;

double doubleDataType = 12345.234d;

boolean flag = true;

boolean val = false;

char charDataType = 'Z';

System.out.println("byteDataType");

System.out.println("shortDataType");

System.out.println("intDataType");

System.out.println("calc");

System.out.println("longDataType");

System.out.println("floatDataType");

System.out.println("doubleDataType");

System.out.println("flag");

System.out.println("val");

System.out.println("charDataType");

}

Creating and Using Arrays (You can create an array by using the new operator and when processing array elements, we often use either for loop or foreach loop)

public static void main(String[] args) {

    // declares an array of integers      

    int[ ] Y;

    // allocates memory for 3 integers

    A = new int[3];

    // initialize elements

    A[0] = 30;//first element

    A[1] = 40;//second element

    A[2] = 55;//third element

    System.out.println("Element at index 0: "

                       + A[0]);

    System.out.println("Element at index 1: "

                       + A[1]);

    System.out.println("Element at index 2: "

                       + A[2]);

}

Output:

Element at index 0: 30

Element at index 1: 40

Element at index 2: 55

Using Loop Constructs

Syntax Of While Loop (In Java you can use while loop if the number of iteration is not fixed)

While(Boolean condition)

while (i <= 5)

{

loop statements….

i++;

}

Syntax Of For Loop (In Java you can use For Loop If the number of iteration is fixed)

for(initialization condition; testing condition; increment/decrement)

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)

{

Statement(s)

}

Syntax Of Do While Loop (In Java you can use do while loop If the number of iteration is not fixed and you must have to execute the loop at least once)

Do

{

Statements…

}

While(condition);

Working with Inheritance (It is the most significant mechanism in java by which one class is allow to inherit the features of another class)

class Teacher {

 void Teacher_Details() {

  System.out.println("Teacher Details...");

 }

}

class Student extends Teacher {

 void Student_Details() {

  System.out.println("Student Detail...");

 }

}

Working with Methods and Encapsulation (It wraps up the data under a single unit and binds together code and the data manipulates)

// Java program to demonstrate encapsulation

public class Encapsulate

{

// private variables declared

// these can only be accessed by

// public methods of class

private String yourName;

private int yourRoll;

// get method for name to access

// private variable yourName

public String getName()

{

return yourName;

}

// get method for roll to access

// private variable yourRoll

public int getRoll()

{

return yourRoll;

}

// set method for name to access

// private variable yourName

public void setName(String newName)

{

yourName = newName;

}

// set method for roll to access

// private variable yourRoll

public void setRoll( int newRoll)

{

yourRoll = newRoll;

}

program to access variables of the class Encapsulate

public class TestEncapsulation

{

public static void main (String[] args)

{

Encapsulate obj = new Encapsulate();

// setting values of the variables

obj.setName("Oscar");

obj.setRoll(51);

// Displaying values of the variables

System.out.println("Your's name: " + obj.getName());

System.out.println("your's roll: " + obj.getRoll());

// Direct access of yourRoll is not possible

// due to encapsulation

// System.out.println("Geek's roll: " + obj.geekName);

}

}

Output:

Your’s name: Oscar

Your’s roll: 62

• Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

This certification takes the OCA to the next level and covers advanced topics as well. These may include JDBC, generics, threads, and file I/O. You need to have some sort of training to be able to pass this certification. It is designed for those who already have prior Java programming experience.

You need to cover the following topics and have full knowledge of:

What Is The Java Certification Test Like?

The test consists of simple and multiple choice questions with varying levels of difficulty. Most of the questions have coding snippets that you need to answer about. You may have to answer if it will successfully compile or not. You may have to point out mistakes in the code.

The simple choice questions have radio buttons and you just have to choose one answer. On the other hand, multiple choice questions have checkboxes and you can select multiple answers. The test is taken on a computer and no other material is allowed to be accessed except for a scrap paper and pen. Each question only has 2 minutes.

In the professional exams, some questions can be more difficult and require more time. For example: does the following class effectively prevent other classes to modify its data?

public class GetterSetter {

Private List<String> data;

public List<String> getData() {

return data;

}

public void setData(List<String> data) {

this.data = data;

}

}

There may be one snippet of code within a question or multiple as part of the answers. The code will be more advanced in the Professional certification exams as it covers more advanced topics.

Benefits of Java Certification

There are many benefits to getting certified in a programming language, especially Java which is used in so many applications. Here are some benefits of getting certified in Java programming language:

• Improved Skills

In preparation of the test and in the test itself, you will end up improving and polishing your programming skills. Not just programming, you will also work on your problem-solving and analysis skills. Some questions are more theoretical so you will be required to study all the concepts. In short, this exam would cover all the aspects of the language.

When you take this exam, you will be fully versed in all those aspects provided you have studied for it. In fact, you may even learn things you have not covered before in class.

• Better Job Opportunities

Of course, the biggest benefit of getting certified in any language or skill is getting a better job opportunity. Even though many companies do not necessarily require potential candidates to be certified but they prefer those certified. The certification is proof of their knowledge and training in the said language.

• Recognition of Your Abilities

It is good to get certified as it serves as a stamp of your ability to be a developer in a certain language. And of all the languages, being great at Java is an achievement in its own right. The Oracle Java Certification is considered one of the most recognized certifications globally. So not only will your talent and skills recognized in your organization but all over the world.

• Teach Java

With a certificate in your hand, you can also become a Java instructor. Depending on the teaching level, you can make some good money. The best part is that you will be giving all the knowledge to young programmers. Having an Oracle Java Certificate will improve your chances at being hired as an instructor at a higher studies institute.

Conclusion

If you have been studying and using Java language for some time now, you may want to get certified in this particular language. Surely it is an investment in your career and will allow you to tap into better opportunities. Even if you are already working as a Java developer, you can get certified to climb the ladder to the top.

For beginners, the first test is more suitable. However, for those who are experienced in Java development and have covered almost all topics, the professional certification is better. Anyone can apply for these tests. There is a lot of material online that can help you prepare for the test.