Ideal Certification Path for beginner

(This was initially posted in the MCSD newsgroup as I didn't see this
newsgroup at first glance. Not cross-posting to get this noticed more, just
want this question in the most relevant place.)

I should first clarify that I'm only a beginner to the world of Windows
programming. I've been a self-taught web programmer for many years (focusing
on PHP/MySQL setups), and I've recently been hired as a webmaster for an up
and coming internet advertising company. I have decided to gain my
development certifications for the Windows platform because I feel that it is
the best plan of action for me at this point to further my career, as well
as increase my value as an employee as my company is heavily Windows based.
I do use ASP.NET 2.0 for some of my job functions, but only what I've been
told to do and figured some things out on my own. I have literally very
little experience with VS, ASP.NET or any Windows based programming.

I have decided on the MCTS: Web Development certification, and I have a
couple questions. Is this the best certification to start with? Is there
another I should focus on first? Also, what is the best way to study? The
E-Learning programs on the MS site will run me about $1300.00 total for the
certification (that's not including the cost of books/exams/etc...) process.
However, I noticed that most tests required for certification status have
"Self Paced Starter Kit" type books, which would be much less expensive for
me.

I guess I'm just looking for information/advice on the best way to enter the
world of Microsoft certification with a focus on web development. Thanks to
all who reply.

James McConnell

One other question. On the page for the MCTS site for the 536 exam, it lists
both a C# and a VB language book. I've read some posts that mention choosing
a language for the exam, so I'm wondering if I need both books or if I can
just choose the one for the language I want (C#, BTW) and will that be
enough. Thanks.

"James McConnell" wrote:

> (This was initially posted in the MCSD newsgroup as I didn't see this
> newsgroup at first glance. Not cross-posting to get this noticed more, just
> want this question in the most relevant place.)
>
> I should first clarify that I'm only a beginner to the world of Windows
> programming. I've been a self-taught web programmer for many years (focusing
> on PHP/MySQL setups), and I've recently been hired as a webmaster for an up
> and coming internet advertising company. I have decided to gain my
> development certifications for the Windows platform because I feel that it is
> the best plan of action for me at this point to further my career, as well
> as increase my value as an employee as my company is heavily Windows based.
> I do use ASP.NET 2.0 for some of my job functions, but only what I've been
> told to do and figured some things out on my own. I have literally very
> little experience with VS, ASP.NET or any Windows based programming.
>
> I have decided on the MCTS: Web Development certification, and I have a
> couple questions. Is this the best certification to start with? Is there
> another I should focus on first? Also, what is the best way to study? The
> E-Learning programs on the MS site will run me about $1300.00 total for the
> certification (that's not including the cost of books/exams/etc...) process.
> However, I noticed that most tests required for certification status have
> "Self Paced Starter Kit" type books, which would be much less expensive for
> me.
>
> I guess I'm just looking for information/advice on the best way to enter the
> world of Microsoft certification with a focus on web development. Thanks to
> all who reply.

James McConnell

For MCTS Web Development Cert, the way to go is taking 70-536 and then 70-528
which is available in MS Press Books. The self paced training kits are
available in both languages on the same book. You can choose either VB or C#
based on your preference. If you have been doing C, C++ or Java coding
before, C# will be of better preference to you as it is terse and shares many
of the features. I advise you from my experience to make a choice and read
only in the language of your choice all the way to avoice any confusion. You
can always come back and refer to learn the other language after your exams.

Your other valuable resource will be MSDN for some concepts the books
couldn't elaborate well. I suggest to you also getting a plain book on the
language only as a reference. Codeprojects.com is a great resource.

Good luck with your preparation.

Abba Biya



"James McConnell" wrote:

> One other question. On the page for the MCTS site for the 536 exam, it lists
> both a C# and a VB language book. I've read some posts that mention choosing
> a language for the exam, so I'm wondering if I need both books or if I can
> just choose the one for the language I want (C#, BTW) and will that be
> enough. Thanks.
>
> "James McConnell" wrote:
>
> > (This was initially posted in the MCSD newsgroup as I didn't see this
> > newsgroup at first glance. Not cross-posting to get this noticed more, just
> > want this question in the most relevant place.)
> >
> > I should first clarify that I'm only a beginner to the world of Windows
> > programming. I've been a self-taught web programmer for many years (focusing
> > on PHP/MySQL setups), and I've recently been hired as a webmaster for an up
> > and coming internet advertising company. I have decided to gain my
> > development certifications for the Windows platform because I feel that it is
> > the best plan of action for me at this point to further my career, as well
> > as increase my value as an employee as my company is heavily Windows based.
> > I do use ASP.NET 2.0 for some of my job functions, but only what I've been
> > told to do and figured some things out on my own. I have literally very
> > little experience with VS, ASP.NET or any Windows based programming.
> >
> > I have decided on the MCTS: Web Development certification, and I have a
> > couple questions. Is this the best certification to start with? Is there
> > another I should focus on first? Also, what is the best way to study? The
> > E-Learning programs on the MS site will run me about $1300.00 total for the
> > certification (that's not including the cost of books/exams/etc...) process.
> > However, I noticed that most tests required for certification status have
> > "Self Paced Starter Kit" type books, which would be much less expensive for
> > me.
> >
> > I guess I'm just looking for information/advice on the best way to enter the
> > world of Microsoft certification with a focus on web development. Thanks to
> > all who reply.

Abba Biya

Thanks for the info! I ordered the Training Kit and C# Language books from
B&N last night for the 536 test, so I'll focus on that first and then work on
my 528 exam. I also have a book from MS Press titled "Programming In The Key
Of C#", which is essentially a primer on the language, and the few glances
I've taken of it are very familiar (I have experience with C++/Java), so I
should be good to go. Thanks again for the info, much appreciated!

James

"Abba Biya" wrote:

> For MCTS Web Development Cert, the way to go is taking 70-536 and then 70-528
> which is available in MS Press Books. The self paced training kits are
> available in both languages on the same book. You can choose either VB or C#
> based on your preference. If you have been doing C, C++ or Java coding
> before, C# will be of better preference to you as it is terse and shares many
> of the features. I advise you from my experience to make a choice and read
> only in the language of your choice all the way to avoice any confusion. You
> can always come back and refer to learn the other language after your exams.
>
> Your other valuable resource will be MSDN for some concepts the books
> couldn't elaborate well. I suggest to you also getting a plain book on the
> language only as a reference. Codeprojects.com is a great resource.
>
> Good luck with your preparation.
>
> Abba Biya
>
>
>
> "James McConnell" wrote:
>
> > One other question. On the page for the MCTS site for the 536 exam, it lists
> > both a C# and a VB language book. I've read some posts that mention choosing
> > a language for the exam, so I'm wondering if I need both books or if I can
> > just choose the one for the language I want (C#, BTW) and will that be
> > enough. Thanks.
> >
> > "James McConnell" wrote:
> >
> > > (This was initially posted in the MCSD newsgroup as I didn't see this
> > > newsgroup at first glance. Not cross-posting to get this noticed more, just
> > > want this question in the most relevant place.)
> > >
> > > I should first clarify that I'm only a beginner to the world of Windows
> > > programming. I've been a self-taught web programmer for many years (focusing
> > > on PHP/MySQL setups), and I've recently been hired as a webmaster for an up
> > > and coming internet advertising company. I have decided to gain my
> > > development certifications for the Windows platform because I feel that it is
> > > the best plan of action for me at this point to further my career, as well
> > > as increase my value as an employee as my company is heavily Windows based.
> > > I do use ASP.NET 2.0 for some of my job functions, but only what I've been
> > > told to do and figured some things out on my own. I have literally very
> > > little experience with VS, ASP.NET or any Windows based programming.
> > >
> > > I have decided on the MCTS: Web Development certification, and I have a
> > > couple questions. Is this the best certification to start with? Is there
> > > another I should focus on first? Also, what is the best way to study? The
> > > E-Learning programs on the MS site will run me about $1300.00 total for the
> > > certification (that's not including the cost of books/exams/etc...) process.
> > > However, I noticed that most tests required for certification status have
> > > "Self Paced Starter Kit" type books, which would be much less expensive for
> > > me.
> > >
> > > I guess I'm just looking for information/advice on the best way to enter the
> > > world of Microsoft certification with a focus on web development. Thanks to
> > > all who reply.

James McConnell

James,

"C# Precisely", from MIT Press is a great book about C# 2.0 (IMHO), specialy
if you already have C++/Java background. It's a small, no-fluff , right to
the point book.

HTH

Fabio Lindner

msnews.microsoft.com