Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer

Introduction

Are you interested in becoming a certified professional Java developer? If yes, then you have come to the right place. Oracle Corporation currently owns the official implementation of the Java SE platform. So getting certified by the owner of Java can certainly be a good idea.😉

There are many certifications offered by Oracle related to Java. Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer, is one such certification. This article will discuss everything you need to know regarding this certification, including exam details, preparation strategy, syllabus, and even resources for preparation. So, let's begin.

Java SE8 Oracle Certified Associate certification

Java SE8 Oracle Certified Associate(OCA) certification helps you build a foundational understanding of Java. Getting certified as Java SE8 OCA is the first of two steps in displaying the high-level skills needed to become a professional Java developer.

Oracle Certified Associate(OCA) Java SE 8 Programmer certification is an entry-level certification in the Java certification roadmap.

You might be wondering what SE means in the Java SE8. There are four programming platforms in Java.

• Standard Edition(Java SE)
• Enterprise Edition(Java EE)
• Micro Edition(Java ME)
• Java FX

When most people think of Java programming language, they think of the Java SE8 API, which provides the core functionality of Java. You can refer to the documentation by Oracle to learn more about it.

Java SE 8 Programmer I certification opens many job opportunities for candidates.

Now, let's look at the skills you will gain after this certification.

Skills

• Java
• Java 8 Date and Time API
• Java Application Development
• Java SE 8
• JDK 8
• Lambda Expressions
• Oracle Associate

Steps to becoming a Java SE8 programmer

Step-1: Prepare to take the required Oracle Certified Associate(OCA) exam by reviewing the topics and gaining practical, hands-on experience.

Step-2: Take and pass the Java SE Programmer I exam.

We will discuss the preparation strategy and exam details in this article to help you achieve the certification.

Exam details

Exam Name: Java SE 8 Programmer I

Exam number: 1Z0-808

Exam Price: ₹18,447

Exam duration: 150 minutes

Number of Questions: 70

Passing score: 65%

Format: Multiple Choice Questions(MCQs)

Apply link: Java SE 8 Programmer I

Syllabus Overview: Basics of Java

Prerequisites:

1. Knowledge of Java SE 8 fundamentals.
2. Familiarity with programming concepts (not necessary but helpful).

Preparation Strategy

Study smarter, not harder

The first step to beginning your preparation is to look at the syllabus for the exam and prepare accordingly instead of studying every topic. You only need to learn the topics given in the syllabus below.

Syllabus 

Java Basics

• Define the scope of variables 
• Define the structure of a Java class
• Create executable Java applications with the main method; run a Java program from the command line; produce console output
• Import other Java packages to make them accessible in your code
• Compare and contrast the features and components of Java, such as platform independence, object orientation, encapsulation, etc.

Working With Java Data Types 

• Declare and initialize variables (including the casting of primitive data types)
• Differentiate between object reference variables and primitive variables
• Know how to read or write to object fields
• Explain an Object's Lifecycle (creation, "dereference by reassignment," and garbage collection)
• Develop code that uses wrapper classes such as Boolean, Double, and Integer  
   

Using Operators and Decision Constructs 

• Use Java operators; use parentheses to override operator precedence.
• Test equality between Strings and other objects using == and equals ()
• Create if and if/else and ternary constructs 
• Use a switch statement.
   

Creating and Using Arrays 

• Declare, instantiate, initialize and use a one-dimensional array
• Declare, instantiate, initialize and use multi-dimensional arrays
   

Using Loop Constructs 

• Create and use while loops
• Create and use for loops, including the enhanced for loop
• Create and use do/while loops
• Compare loop constructs
• Use break and continue.  
   

Working with Methods and Encapsulation 

• Create methods with arguments and return values; including overloaded methods
• Apply the static keyword to methods and fields  
• Create and overload constructors; differentiate between default and user-defined constructors.
• Apply access modifiers
• Apply encapsulation principles to a class
• Determine the effect upon object references and primitive values when they are passed into methods that change the values
   

Working with Inheritance 

• Describe inheritance and its benefits
• Develop code that makes use of polymorphism; develop code that overrides methods; differentiate between the type of a reference and the type of an object
• Determine when casting is necessary
• Use super and this to access objects and constructors.
• Use abstract classes and interfaces.
   

Handling Exceptions 

• Differentiate among checked exceptions, unchecked exceptions, and Errors
• Create a try-catch block and determine how exceptions alter normal program flow
• Describe the advantages of Exception handling 
• Create and invoke a method that throws an exception
• Recognize common exception classes (such as NullPointerException, ArithmeticException, ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException, ClassCastException)
   

Working with Selected classes from the Java API 

• Manipulate data using the StringBuilder class and its methods
• Create and manipulate Strings
• Create and manipulate calendar data using classes from java.time.LocalDateTime, java.time.LocalDate, java.time.LocalTime, java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter, java.time.Period
• Declare and use an ArrayList of a given type 
• Write a simple Lambda expression that consumes a Lambda Predicate expression.
   

Assume the following

• Missing package and import statements: If the sample code does not include package or import statements, and the question does not explicitly refer to these missing statements, then assume that all sample code is in the same package or import statements exist to support them.
• No file or directory path names for classes: If a question does not state the file names or directory locations of classes, then assume one of the following, whichever will enable the code to compile and run:
  
  
  • All classes are in one file.
  • Each class is contained in a separate file, and all files are in one directory.
     
• Unintended line breaks: The sample code might have unintended line breaks. If you see a line of code that looks like it has wrapped, and this creates a situation where the wrapping is significant (for example, a quoted String literal has wrapped), assume that the wrapping is an extension of the same line and the line does not contain a hard carriage return that would cause a compilation failure.
• Code fragments: A code fragment is a small section of source code that is presented without its context. Assume that all necessary supporting code exists and that the supporting environment fully supports the correct compilation and execution of the code shown and its omitted environment.
• Descriptive comments: Take descriptive comments, such as "setter and getters go here," at face value. Assume that the correct code exists, compiles, and runs successfully to create the described effect.

The questions in the exam will be asked from these topics only. After completing the syllabus, you should look for practical, hands-on experience as the questions will test your ability to apply the knowledge you have gained.

To prepare for this exam better, you can complete the Java SE 8 fundamentals course from Oracle. However, this is only optional. You can refer to several free resources on Coding Ninjas to prepare for this exam. We have included links to the articles relevant to this certification program for your convenience.

#coding_ninjas_to_the _rescue

Resources for preparation

Here are some well-structured resources on Coding Ninjas available for free to help in your preparation.

• Function
  
  
  • Types of Methods
  • Method Calls in Java
  • Method Overloading
  • Call by Value and Call by reference
  • Encapsulation in Java
  • Introduction to Variables
  • Multiple Inheritance in Java
     
• Loops
  
  
  • Decision statements in Java
  • Iteration statements in Java
  • Jump statements in Java
     
• Operators
  
  
  • Arithmetic Operator
  • Unary Operator
  • Relational Operator
  • Logical Operator
  • Shift Operators in Java
     
• Arrays
  
  
  • What is Array
  • Single Dimensional Array
  • Multi-Dimensional Arrays in Java
     
• Wrapper Class
  
  
  • Wrapper Class in Java
  • Boolean Class in Java
  • Java Double Class
  • Java Integer Class
     
• Exception Handling
  
  
  • Introduction to Exception Handling
  • Throw in Java
  • Throw Keyword
  • Try Catch block

We also have articles containing popular questions from the overall syllabus, apart from these particular topics. We have given the links to those articles below.

• 30 Java String Interview Questions
• 33 Java Interview Questions for Beginners in 2021: Part – 1
• 34 Java Interview Questions for Intermediate in 2021: Part 2
• 33 Java Interview Questions for Experienced in 2021: Part 3
   

You can visit our Java library. You can find all the resources there in a structured form. Operators and Functions are some of the basic but important topics for this exam, and we have structured excellent content on it for you.

You can also view our articles on Data Structures and Algorithms, Competitive Programming, and Interview Questions.

Oracle also provides many other Java Certifications, which you can access on their official website. For certifications other than Java also, you can visit the Oracle Certifications section on their website.

To be a professional Java Developer, candidates need the skills covered in both exams, Java SE 8 Programmer I and Java SE 8 Programmer II. We have covered the Java SE 8 Programmer I certification in this blog. You can visit our blog on Java SE 8 Programmer II for more information.