When you are thinking about getting a job that has a lot to do with J2EE architecture, there are a few things to keep in mind. In the first place, remember that you are looking at something that is essentially the basis for several major Web server products, with the main exception being Microsoft products. With the use that the J2EE specification sees, you will find that the goal that the certification has in mind is to make sure that compliant Web applications can run on any J2EE-compatible server. You will find that when you go to certify for J2EE that the certification is going to be applicable across platforms. The certification for this type of J2EE architecture is the Sun Certified Enterprise Architect (SCEA).
When you are looking at the SCEA certification, you will find that it is intended for software architects who can layout the structure for their compliant applications while using their J2EE features to create good designs that are flexible, scalable, and on top of everything, secure. You are looking at being able to handle advanced design responsibilities while holding lead roles when it comes to creating applications. You will find that when you are looking into getting this certification you will need show that you have a thorough understanding of the modern uses of the design architecture and also of how the current J2EEs stand in business applications.
When you are taking a look at the SCEA certification and wondering if it is something that is for you, keep in mind that it is intended to convey high-level design concepts to both the programmers who are designing and to the people who will have to ultimately approve the design. Because of this, you will find that there is less emphasis on concrete APIs and more on design concepts.
The SCEA certification places a very strong emphasis on design abstraction. Two areas that receive a lot of time include design patterns and the Unified Modeling Language, also known as UML. UML is intended for drawing diagrams of object-related designs, and as the design process goes on it will be documented. Design patterns are used to describe reusable program designs and components and you will find that it can all be traced to one original source. Is this a topic that you have a lot of interest in, and can you take the time to make sure that you are going to be able to move on and really get the most out of your work?
There are three steps to getting certified in this regard. You will need to take a multiple-choice exam, then you will need to complete a design-project assignment; then you will need to complete an essay exam. You will find that the first portion, the multiple-choice portion, takes 75 minutes and that it consists of 48 questions. For the design portion, you will need to think about downloading a design exercise. This is not a timed portion. The final portion of the test takes 90 minutes and consists of four essay questions.
Consider what kind of options lie in front of you when you are done taking a look at the J2EE certification program; you may find that you are on precisely the right path for you.
