John, I agree with your advice. Getting the depth of understanding of how to design AND build a web site using JSP/servlets, JDBC, Java class beans (as opposed to applets), tag libraries (Jakarta libraries or even JRUN's), XML, and Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture is MUCH more important at the outset than the breadth of experience. We are production shop that uses JRUN, and although JRUN does not have the market share that IBM Websphere or BEA Weblogic has, it is still one of the cheapest third party servers you can purchase, unless you go open source (JBoss, Tomcat).
Once you have worked with one Sun certified compliant JDBC driver and server, than you can easily pick up on the others. The same is true in regards to MVC architecture and to serlvet/EJB servers, in my opinion. Struts is one of the most popular MVC architecture's around, but it is not the only MVC open source architecture out there. Another is Maverick, which has some feature that Struts doesn't have. But again, once you understand MVC architecture, and how to design and build a MVC web site, which open source architecture you choose to use, or even if you decide to write is your own, is moot. Interestingly enough, though I have always maintained this viewpoint in regards to hiring people, this is the first time I seen anyone else express this viewpoint. Most other managers still believe if the individual "hasn't worked in product A, then he's no use to me". It's the basic understanding of the concepts regarding what's involved in designing and building a site or product, and the technology you are using, that is most important. The programming language and the software packages you choose to use to meet that goal are second in my opinion. Celeste -----Original Message----- From: John Slaman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2002 8:06 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Somewhat off-topic: Should I learn WebSphere? As I guy who conducts interviews..... Having the technology of the products used by the hiring company will help get you the interviews. However, unless you've used them in an industrial setting - the interviewer will quickly see through your thin layer of skills. The best use of your time (assuming you don't have a sheet of paper proving you've learned this stuff) is to pick a group of technologies that work together - and build an appropriate application & put it into production. For example; Java, Servlet, Struts, JSP, EJB. This gives you something to put on your resume that looks like industry experience, and you've done some learning in the process. As well, it gives you a story to tell during the interview. What you did, what worked, what didn't, what you learned, how you'd do things differently. The other important thing to spend time is learning and understanding good "design". This is something harder to teach, harder to learn, but just as important. Some of the scariest things I see in the industry are guys from other industries who've read a book, built an application, and then sell themselves like professional IT guys; where their skills are no where near the same level as the guy who's spent 4 years in university and many more years practicing the trade. I've worked with some very smart cookies who were self taught; but these guys tend to be far and few between. Make sure you focus on UNDERSTANDING how everything works together. Getting depth in JRUN is more important then getting breath across JRUN, WebSphere, Weblogic, etc - especially if you are entering the market as a junior guy! Best of luck. -----Original Message----- From: A mailing list about Java Server Pages specification and reference [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Andy Engle Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 9:11 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Somewhat off-topic: Should I learn WebSphere? Hi all, I'm a web hack who enjoys doing some web application programming. While this isn't my "day job", I wouldn't mind for it to be. In the past, the web applications I have written (for school assignments and other stuff like that) have all be hosted on Jrun or Tomcat. In thinking about any future career moves, would I be well served to take the time to learn WebSphere? Does WebSphere offer a large advantage over the other application servers, or is it more the case of "you know one, you know them all"? And if you think I should learn WebSphere, what is the best way to do so? Thanks for your advice -- I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say. Best Regards, Andy =========================================================================== To unsubscribe: mailto [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body: "signoff JSP-INTEREST". For digest: mailto [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body: "set JSP-INTEREST DIGEST". Some relevant FAQs on JSP/Servlets can be found at: http://archives.java.sun.com/jsp-interest.html http://java.sun.com/products/jsp/faq.html http://www.esperanto.org.nz/jsp/jspfaq.jsp http://www.jguru.com/faq/index.jsp http://www.jspinsider.com =========================================================================== To unsubscribe: mailto [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body: "signoff JSP-INTEREST". For digest: mailto [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body: "set JSP-INTEREST DIGEST". Some relevant FAQs on JSP/Servlets can be found at: http://archives.java.sun.com/jsp-interest.html http://java.sun.com/products/jsp/faq.html http://www.esperanto.org.nz/jsp/jspfaq.jsp http://www.jguru.com/faq/index.jsp http://www.jspinsider.com =========================================================================== To unsubscribe: mailto [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body: "signoff JSP-INTEREST". For digest: mailto [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body: "set JSP-INTEREST DIGEST". Some relevant FAQs on JSP/Servlets can be found at: http://archives.java.sun.com/jsp-interest.html http://java.sun.com/products/jsp/faq.html http://www.esperanto.org.nz/jsp/jspfaq.jsp http://www.jguru.com/faq/index.jsp http://www.jspinsider.com
