Sun Certified Java Programmer 1.4 Exam Notes and tips

by Sandeep Desai

Books:

Thinking in Java 3^rd ed by Bruce Eckel

Sun Certified Java Programmer by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bats

Mock exams: Whizlabs SCJP 1.4 exam, Javaranch Mock exam list, JDiscuss

Compilation Checklist

• watch for syntax first matching braces ; etc
• watch for keywords in code
• watch for overload/overiding mix
• variable scoping
• if return type is method returning variable
• for interface methods write public abstract everywhere
• for interface variables write public static final
• watch for final variables being modified especially interface variables
• for default access write friendly
• incorrect mixing of primitives and wrappers
• watch if methods apply to correct object e.g passing
• Boolean where boolean expected
• for all top level interface variables mark as public static final
• for all top level interface methods mark as public abstract
• watch for class access modifiers before determining method
• access modifier rules
• watch for misleading indentation
• watch for invalid switch such as missing case keyword
• two public classes in the same file.
• main method calling a non-static method.
• watch for implicit or explicit access to this from static methods
• methods with the same name as the constructor(s).
• local inner classes trying to access non-final variables.
• case statements with values out of permissible range.
• check for return statement that can be reached, if method has return type
• thread initiation with classes that don't have a run() method.
• watch for StringBuffer="abc";
• main() can be declared final.

See the following documents for SCJP 1.4 notes. They cover more topics than required by SCJP 1.4

Fundamentals.java demonstrates primitive data types, arrays, controls etc

Objects.java inheritance, exceptions, inner classes

JavaCollections.java demonstrates how to create Lists, Sets and Hash Tables (Associative Arrays)

JavaThreads.java demonstrated how to create and use Threads