Best SCJA Book/Materials

[Java_Lover]

Hello All,

My goal is to get a job as a Java developer. I am drawn to Java for some reason and feel the job market, especially with Droid apps, is going to only increase.

With that said, I would like to get certified as well as actually learn how Java works. I have a Small Business Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, currently work in IT as a jack of all trades, have experience with VB 6, PHP/MySQL and HMTL/CSS with just enough Java Script to validate HTLM forms.

Since a Master's in Computer Science is more of a longer term goal, I was thinking of getting the SJCA. My goal is to actually learn the initial steps of Java while being able to pass the SJCA exam.

So, a few questions:
1. What is the expected study time it would take to achieve the stated goal, assuming I can spend 3 hours a day on it?

2. What books, websites, videos or other resources have you all found helpful?

I do want to pass the test and not spend all my time reading book upon book. I have done some initial research and found the SJCA test format may be changing from multiple choice to a more hands-on approach. Also saw that the book by Liguori and Finegan received terrible reviews on Amazon.com.

I hope this is enough information for your responses. If something is not clear or you would like additional clarification, please let me know.

Thanks for your time :)

[Eranga]

You mean SJCA or SCJP?

[Java_Lover]

SJCA. I feel a solid understanding in the conceptual aspects of programming would be very beneficial and it seems the SJCA focuses more on that. However, I am open to suggestions.

[Eranga]

In my experience SCJP is the most suitable. Suns' exams are anyway focusing on conceptual understanding, rather practicing the same on it. So my suggestion is go for the SCJP exam. But you had to have a better understanding on basis in Java, which is the fundamental of each stream in Java technologies.

[Java_Lover]

Eranga,

Thanks for your reply. Do you recommend any particular study aids (books, websites, videos, etc)?

I am using Java: A Beginner's Guide Third Edition to learn from and just found a video. I have looked on Sun's website at the Java Tutorials. I need something that I can read and study in a quiet place with no Internet connection. That is why I am searching more for books or printed material.

Thanks!

[gcalvin]

You definitely want to work through the Sun Java Tutorials.

The Java™ Tutorials

Don't skip anything. Type in (yes type in, don't copy-and-paste) all the example code. Consider these tutorials authoritative, if there is any discrepancy between them and what you see in other books. Or better yet, test any discrepancy by writing and running code -- real-world experience is the best authority.

I think Mark Dexter's video tutorials are also excellent. They are not very deep, but they give you a taste of lots of different concepts, including some not included in the Sun tutorials (the Eclipse IDE, test-driven development with JUnit).

Eclipse and Java for Total Beginners

You may want to work through those first, as they are short and pleasant, and will get you to an initial comfort level.

-Gary-

[Eranga]

Eranga,

Thanks for your reply. Do you recommend any particular study aids (books, websites, videos, etc)?

I am using Java: A Beginner's Guide Third Edition to learn from and just found a video. I have looked on Sun's website at the Java Tutorials. I need something that I can read and study in a quiet place with no Internet connection. That is why I am searching more for books or printed material.

Thanks!

If you've internet connection most of the time, then my suggestion is refer the Suns' tutorial. If you can download the complete into your machine, it's much better.

You can kathy sierra for SCJP. Questions are much similar to SCJP examination. Not a bad book actually. And there are some nice publications form Sams' as well. Personally I like use Sams publications.

[laylos]

Hi Eranga

You mentioned that you could download the Sun Tutorials....did I understand this correctly? If so can you tell me how?

Thanks
Steve

[laylos]

Whoops..found them and downloaded..or downloading....

Cheers
Steve

[Eranga]

Actually there are many ways to do that. But you've already found it now. :)