«

I'm starting out with the .NET framework 2.0 as a developer, for the most
part developing in C# and ASP.NET, Winforms. I'd like to get some Microsoft
Certification under my belt while learning .NET and some of the .NET language
intricasies.
What Certificates should I aim for and what is the best way to get the
training, books, self training, courses?
I have a C++ backgroud but am still an intermediate grade developer. My
first preference would be to identify the courses I need to improve my
productivity in my present workplace and also make my resume more appealing
for the future.

learnerplates wrote:
> I'm starting out with the .NET framework 2.0 as a developer, for the most
> part developing in C# and ASP.NET, Winforms. I'd like to get some Microsoft
> Certification under my belt while learning .NET and some of the .NET language
> intricasies.
> What Certificates should I aim for and what is the best way to get the
> training, books, self training, courses?
> I have a C++ backgroud but am still an intermediate grade developer. My
> first preference would be to identify the courses I need to improve my
> productivity in my present workplace and also make my resume more appealing
> for the future.

See <http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/> for info. about the
certifications available for .NET 2.0

Personally, I always recommend that you learn the framework first, and
then think about certifications. Also, I don't believe that getting a
certification improves your productivity at work (unless you're
starting from scratch), however it does definitely enhance your resume.

"Cerebrus" wrote:

>
> learnerplates wrote:
> > I'm starting out with the .NET framework 2.0 as a developer, for the most
> > part developing in C# and ASP.NET, Winforms. I'd like to get some Microsoft
> > Certification under my belt while learning .NET and some of the .NET language
> > intricasies.
> > What Certificates should I aim for and what is the best way to get the
> > training, books, self training, courses?
> > I have a C++ backgroud but am still an intermediate grade developer. My
> > first preference would be to identify the courses I need to improve my
> > productivity in my present workplace and also make my resume more appealing
> > for the future.
>
> See <http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/> for info. about the
> certifications available for .NET 2.0
>
> Personally, I always recommend that you learn the framework first, and
> then think about certifications. Also, I don't believe that getting a
> certification improves your productivity at work (unless you're
> starting from scratch), however it does definitely enhance your resume.
>
>

Thanks Cerebrus,
I am starting from scratch as far as .NET is concerned. Any recommendations
on .NET books or other resourses? what about classes are there some msoft
specific classes that can be taken.

learnerplates wrote:
> Thanks Cerebrus,
> I am starting from scratch as far as .NET is concerned. Any recommendations
> on .NET books or other resourses? what about classes are there some msoft
> specific classes that can be taken.

As for books, I don't know of many. I didn't start learning .NET from
books. I did a course instead. So, most of the books I have, are not
introductory in nature, and are specifically related to a particular
portion of .NET. (Such as ADO.NET, Distributed programming, Graphics
programming etc.) But I usually find books by APress to be very good.
You might try Wrox or O'Reilly also. Maybe someone else can suggest a
good book to start learning from.

There are a lot of websites as well, which have very nice tutorials on
..NET. One of my favourites is FunctionX (www.functionx.com)

I don't know about your local classes since the odds are that I'm not
even in the same country as you are.

July 11, 2006

The Step By Step books from MS Press are excellent!! I found the courses
were wwaaayyy too expensive, and you only got a "smell" of the topic and
weren't useful at all. The books were the only way to really dive in at high
speed (plus, what happens if you forget something? You can't just look up
the instructor and ask him after the class is over... but with a book you
can come back again and again.)

Here's the beginning of the list of books I started with: (look for Visual
Studio 2005 editions though! - All MSPress)

Visual Basic .Net Step By Step (or C# depending on what you want)

Ado .Net Step By Step

XML Step By Step

70-306 training kit - look for training kit for Windows Development for the
new certifications... this is the old exam number - these are great because
they come with 300 free practice questions (so you don't need to buy your
own practice exam - saves $$) and they also have a detailed exam objective
list in the front and where you can find it in the book...

Asp.Net Programming with Visual Basic .Net Step by Step

..Net XML Web Services Step By Step

..... and so on and so on... for more topics, just look up
microsoft.com/mspress... and click the All Books link (or the up & coming
link for some of the new books which haven't come out yet)... and scroll
through them looking for your topic.

BTW, security is going to be a big piece of the new exams (not optional)...
here's the books I found vveeerrryyyy exact and perfectly fitting for the
security portions:

Security for VB .Net
Improving Web Application Security (free online at msdn.com)
Threat Modeling
70-330 - Training Kit.... Implementing Security for applications.... old
exam number

Hope this helps!!!
--
Joseph Bittman
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional -- DPM

Web Site/Blog: http://CactiDevelopers.ResDev.Net/

"learnerplates" <> wrote in message
news:C5F565FB-4ED2-412A-8F71-...
> I'm starting out with the .NET framework 2.0 as a developer, for the most
> part developing in C# and ASP.NET, Winforms. I'd like to get some
> Microsoft
> Certification under my belt while learning .NET and some of the .NET
> language
> intricasies.
> What Certificates should I aim for and what is the best way to get the
> training, books, self training, courses?
> I have a C++ backgroud but am still an intermediate grade developer. My
> first preference would be to identify the courses I need to improve my
> productivity in my present workplace and also make my resume more
> appealing
> for the future.
>
>

thanks guys, this is useful information.
I checked out some of the mspress books on amazon and they haven't gotten a
very good write up. I'll ask around some more before purchasing.
The functionx website has a lot of content, and looks useful I'll try that
too,
BTW I'm in Ireland, if anyone has information on local resourses on .NET
learning or certification please let me know.
Cheers.



"Joseph Bittman MVP MCSD" wrote:

> July 11, 2006
>
> The Step By Step books from MS Press are excellent!! I found the courses
> were wwaaayyy too expensive, and you only got a "smell" of the topic and
> weren't useful at all. The books were the only way to really dive in at high
> speed (plus, what happens if you forget something? You can't just look up
> the instructor and ask him after the class is over... but with a book you
> can come back again and again.)
>
> Here's the beginning of the list of books I started with: (look for Visual
> Studio 2005 editions though! - All MSPress)
>
> Visual Basic .Net Step By Step (or C# depending on what you want)
>
> Ado .Net Step By Step
>
> XML Step By Step
>
> 70-306 training kit - look for training kit for Windows Development for the
> new certifications... this is the old exam number - these are great because
> they come with 300 free practice questions (so you don't need to buy your
> own practice exam - saves $$) and they also have a detailed exam objective
> list in the front and where you can find it in the book...
>
> Asp.Net Programming with Visual Basic .Net Step by Step
>
> ..Net XML Web Services Step By Step
>
> ..... and so on and so on... for more topics, just look up
> microsoft.com/mspress... and click the All Books link (or the up & coming
> link for some of the new books which haven't come out yet)... and scroll
> through them looking for your topic.
>
> BTW, security is going to be a big piece of the new exams (not optional)...
> here's the books I found vveeerrryyyy exact and perfectly fitting for the
> security portions:
>
> Security for VB .Net
> Improving Web Application Security (free online at msdn.com)
> Threat Modeling
> 70-330 - Training Kit.... Implementing Security for applications.... old
> exam number
>
> Hope this helps!!!
> --
> Joseph Bittman
> Microsoft Certified Solution Developer
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional -- DPM
>
> Web Site/Blog: http://CactiDevelopers.ResDev.Net/
>
> "learnerplates" <> wrote in message
> news:C5F565FB-4ED2-412A-8F71-...
> > I'm starting out with the .NET framework 2.0 as a developer, for the most
> > part developing in C# and ASP.NET, Winforms. I'd like to get some
> > Microsoft
> > Certification under my belt while learning .NET and some of the .NET
> > language
> > intricasies.
> > What Certificates should I aim for and what is the best way to get the
> > training, books, self training, courses?
> > I have a C++ backgroud but am still an intermediate grade developer. My
> > first preference would be to identify the courses I need to improve my
> > productivity in my present workplace and also make my resume more
> > appealing
> > for the future.
> >
> >
>
>
>

Hi,
Your info. is really worth. I am planning to take 70-315 exam this month
end , so can u please suggest how to prepare and If u have any e-books which
supports the certification(i.e Amit Kalani's e-books)
Pls. send to my email id :

Thanks in advance.

"Cerebrus" wrote:

>
> learnerplates wrote:
> > I'm starting out with the .NET framework 2.0 as a developer, for the most
> > part developing in C# and ASP.NET, Winforms. I'd like to get some Microsoft
> > Certification under my belt while learning .NET and some of the .NET language
> > intricasies.
> > What Certificates should I aim for and what is the best way to get the
> > training, books, self training, courses?
> > I have a C++ backgroud but am still an intermediate grade developer. My
> > first preference would be to identify the courses I need to improve my
> > productivity in my present workplace and also make my resume more appealing
> > for the future.
>
> See <http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/> for info. about the
> certifications available for .NET 2.0
>
> Personally, I always recommend that you learn the framework first, and
> then think about certifications. Also, I don't believe that getting a
> certification improves your productivity at work (unless you're
> starting from scratch), however it does definitely enhance your resume.
>
>

You can go for anyone of two streams MCAD/MCSD that will be batter. You can
even chaecks the details at Microsoft.com learning section for details of
exam.
Regards

"learnerplates" wrote:

> I'm starting out with the .NET framework 2.0 as a developer, for the most
> part developing in C# and ASP.NET, Winforms. I'd like to get some Microsoft
> Certification under my belt while learning .NET and some of the .NET language
> intricasies.
> What Certificates should I aim for and what is the best way to get the
> training, books, self training, courses?
> I have a C++ backgroud but am still an intermediate grade developer. My
> first preference would be to identify the courses I need to improve my
> productivity in my present workplace and also make my resume more appealing
> for the future.
>
>

> I'm starting out with the .NET framework 2.0 as a developer, for the most
> part developing in C# and ASP.NET, Winforms. I'd like to get some Microsoft
> Certification under my belt while learning .NET and some of the .NET language
> intricasies.

Good for you! If you are doing it at work, then you will find the exam
preparation much easier. I had to do 70-320 with my only workplace experience
being C++ and COM. It was very hard!

> I have a C++ backgroud but am still an intermediate grade developer. My
> first preference would be to identify the courses I need to improve my
> productivity in my present workplace and also make my resume more appealing
> for the future.
>

I disagree with Cerberus who wrote that the courses won't improve your
workplace productivity. Doing the study introduces us to parts of the
framework, and especially the Visual Studio IDE (eg. deployment), that we
might otherwise not stumble across in the pressures of getting the job done.
(My C# training did exactly this for my VS C++ skills at work)

> What Certificates should I aim for and what is the best way to get the
> training, books, self training, courses?

I did 70-316 (C# Windows Apps) and 70-320 (XML Web Services) with the Amit
Kalani ExamCram guides, and Visual Studio 2003 Unleashed, by SAMS. I would
highly recommend both these books. Don't be fooled by the ExamCram title -
only a genius, with a photographic memory, would be able to pass the exam by
"cramming" the contents of this book. It's takes a lot of work, and you have
to really understand the material (particularly for 70-320). Fortunately, I
thoroughly enjoyed learning the .Net platform, and programming in it. If I
didn't, I don't think I would have been able to stick with it.

Do 70-316 first!

oh, btw.. it took me a year, while working full time in C++, to pass these
exams.

Good luck, and have fun with it!

Javaman

Javaman59 wrote:

> I disagree with Cerberus who wrote that the courses won't improve your
> workplace productivity. Doing the study introduces us to parts of the
> framework, and especially the Visual Studio IDE (eg. deployment), that we
> might otherwise not stumble across in the pressures of getting the job done.
> (My C# training did exactly this for my VS C++ skills at work)

You're most welcome to disagree, but my point, when taken in context is
that certifications *alone* do not improve productivity in the
workplace. Too many people these days decide to get a certification,
and then start learning the framework. I feel that that is not how it's
supposed to be. Certifications attest to a person's above average skill
on a particular platform / subject, not that he has "learnt" the
concepts.

Studying for certifications allows you to delve deeper into the whys
and the wherefores of each topic. Therefore, it greatly enhances your
understanding. But if you're starting from scratch, you would probably
be trying to hard just to grasp the basic concepts, to be able to
notice the finer details.

Just my 2p.