Take qualifications related to object-oriented

1. Advantage that we take qualifications

1. You can corner yourself
     Because we often put more spirit than usual.
     But , too cornered is dangerous.
   
   
2. You can check whether you understand the basics
     When we learn in self-study, we often don't understand the basics.
     We can often do , but can not explain.
     You can check whether you is this state.
   
   
3. You can learn that you don't know (but a little)
     When we learn in self-study, our knowledge often becomes deep and narrow.
   Because , learning area which we don't know is often difficult , unmotivated and easy to stumble.
   
     Deep and narrow knowledge is not bad. But , knowledge of other area is merits that we can think from other point of view. For example , if a software designer learn a knowledge of project management , he may be able to design from quality, cost, time.
     We often also understand more deep knowledge which we already know. For example , then a Java programer learn C language , he understand memory management( pointer , stack , heap and so on) and he may be able to undarstand Java more deep ( for example , Garbage Collection).
   
     But , an area which you don't know is often a weak area ( because weak -> not learn -> not know). In this case , please do not force ².
     I have heard that a content related contents whcih you know is prone to long-term memory. This means that not so contents is not prone to long-term memory. Therefore learning is very hard ³. And therefore , you should gradually spread knowledge area.
   
   
4. You can check your level of knowledge
     When we learn in self-study, we often can not judge now ourself level of knowledge. Normally, it is no problem. But , when we must explain the now level for a person ( for example , a boss , project manager and so on), it may become easier to explain.
   
   
5. Ther is a case that temporary cash contribution or qualification allowance is paid.
     Note that it is dependent on a company. And , the cash is usually very a little...
     In the company which I work for , qualification allowance is paid. But it is not for all qualification (qualifications which the money is not paid is more). Therfore:
           Book expenses + Examination fee > temporary cash contribution or qualification allowance
   
     Is is not a merit? Sorry.
     But , to be paid is good...
   
   
6. To people around you (corporate juniors and subordinates, and family) , you can appeal for "I'm learning".
     But , of course , too easy qualification is waste. I think that it must be rather difficult and practical.
     Oh, even if a boss who barely learn say "Learn" , it is waste... Therefore , in this sense , we should take qualifications.
   
   
7. When you direct learning to your junior , you can refer it.
     The range and difficulty of qualification steps up. Therefore , when you plan learning , you can refer it. And , you can plan taking a qualification. (Note. If it is a qualification which you don't take , because you don't know difficulty , there is a risk.)
   
   
8. When you direct learning to your junior , you can decrease mistake.
     If we take a qualification , we can understand weak points and so on. If we don't know our weak points , there is a risk that we make a mistakes when we direct to our junior. But , if we know our weak point , we can confirm when we direct to our junior.
     Therefore , even if you don't pass a examination , there is a worth.

2.UMTP

1. L1(L1-T2)
   Examination Fee : USD140(In Japan , JPY15,750)
   Contents : Do you know the elements of the UML ? Can you read the easy diagram of the UML ?
   Level : Even if you don't know the UML , I think that you can pass by learning for about 1 or 2 month. If you use the UML at works , I think that you can pass without learning.
   Books : I did not use because I used the UML.
   In Japan , there are many books( in Japanese) in Bookshop. But , there are no books in English(or other language). Sorry.
   
   
2. L2
   Examination Fee : USD140(In Japan , JPY15,750)
   Contents : Can you easy (I think that it is not easy...) design by the UML? A class diagram , a sequence diagram and so on are ranged.
   Level : I think that this examination is difficult.
   Thoughts : The user interface of examination is bad. The examination time is short.
   There are examination questions which is "Select all right things.". I worried. Even slightly wrong, you can not get the score.
   Books : I did not use because when I took , books did not exist.
   In Japan , there are many books( in Japanese) in Bookshop. But , there are no books in English(or other language). Sorry.
   
   
3. L3
   Examination Fee : ? (In Japan , JPY15,750)
   Contents : Can you design ( designing considered specification updating ) by the UML ? Can you judge good or bad design?
   Module coupling , cohesion , GRASP pattern , OCL(Object Constraint Language) and so on.
   A class diagram , sequence diagram and so on is ranged.
   Level : If you use the UML at works (if you do basic design) , I think that this examication is not difficult. If you do not so , I think that this examication is difficult.
   Thoughts : About class diagram , if you design class diagram or ER diagram, it is no problem.
   About sequence diagram , I think that it is no problem.
   Books : The official books don't exist.
   I used following books.
   
   

   No.	Author	Book Name	ISBN	Comment
   1	Craig Larman	Applying UML and Patterns: An Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design and Iterative Development	978-0131489066	Aout GRASP pattern , I learned by this book.
   2	Russ Miles , Kim Hamilton	Learning UML 2.0	978-0596009823	I confirmed OCL.

   
   But , if you never did basic design at work , I think that you should understand followings as prior knowledge of object-oriented.
     1. ER diagram , Normalization of entity
     2. Module cohesion , coupling and Software engineering
   As Related Books , there are reference books of the Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination(AP) of the Japan Information-Technology Engineers Examination and so on.

3.OCUP

1. Fundamental
   Examination Fee : USD200
   Contents : Term , Class Diagram , Use Case Diagram , Sequence Diagram and so on.
   Level : If you fine learn , you will pass.
   Thoughts : Even if you use UML, because the contents which you maybe not used is contained , the passing without learning is difficult.
   When learning , I think that you can more understand UML and object-oriented.
   Books : If you have a reference book of OCUP Fundamental, I think that it is OK. Aout books , please , search at Amazon.
   
   
2. Intermediate
   Examination Fee : USD200
   Contents : Term , Sequence Diagram , State Machines and so on.
   Level : A little difficult
   Thoughts : Even if you often use UML , the passing without learning is impossible.
   Books : If in Japan , there are no books. But , in English , there are books. Please , search search at Amazon.
   
   
3. Advanced
   Examination Fee : USD200
   Contents : Class diagram , Composite Structure Diagram , Activity Diagram , OCL and so on
   Level : Sorry , I don't take it. I don't know. Maybe, it is difficult.
   Thoughts : None
   Books : If in Japan , there are no books. But , in English , there are books. Please , search search at Amazon.
   

4. JITE

1. Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination(FE)
   Examination Fee : ? (In Japan JPY5,700)
   Contents : Algorithms, Programming, Hardware, Software, Databases, Networks, Security, System Development, Project Management, System Strategy, Strategic Management, and Legal Level : Maybe , somewhat difficult
   Thoughts : The range of this examination is large. Therefore , this examination is suited to check your knowledge.
   Even if you learn object-oriented , if you don't know other ( Databases , System Development and so on) , you can not designe software.
   Books : Sorry , in Japan (in Japanese) , there are many books in a bookstore. But , in other country (in other language) , maybe , I think that books don't exist.
   
   
2. Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination(AP)
   Examination Fee : ? (In Japan JPY5,700)
   Contents : The range is same as FE. But , this examination asks more deep and understanding knowledge.
   Level : Maybe , difficult
   Thoughts : If you design , you should pass.
   The Class diagram , Sequence diagram , ER diagram and so on are ranged (at Afternoon exam).
   Books : Sorry , in Japan (in Japanese) , there are many books in a bookstore. But , in other country (in other language) , maybe , I think that books don't exist.
   

5. Reference