May 2009
Interview with Max Stocker - Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP)
- Sun Forums member since August 2005
- Located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada - contract programmer and server administrator (web, email, database, DNS) for the last decade.
- Known on the Sun Forums as: cotton.m
- Sun Forums Posts: 14,821
Q) How long have you been working in the IT business? How did you get into Java?
A) Since 1996. My first language was actually VB, but I started working with Java in 1999. I got into Java originally because the "write once run everywhere" concept was very appealing for a prototype project I was working on at the time.
I continue working in other languages and doing server administration type work but as time goes on I find myself becoming more focused as a Java developer because I enjoy that work the most.
Q) How come?
A) I think my work in other languages makes me appreciate Java more for the many decisions that were made to keep the language "simple". I think that, ironically enough, keeping things simple in some ways means that it's easier to write more complex programs that still feature strong encapsulation and coherent design.
I also have been working more with J2EE as of late and I am very impressed by the richness and maturity of the platform. I think anyone who as worked much with web-scripting languages will be able to tell you what a blessing ideas like real MVC, Filters and JSTL (as just a few examples) are.
Q) What areas of Java have you specialized in?
A) I have done a lot of work with JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) in one form or another. From systems that process, load and clean data to actually writing drivers, I'm probably more familiar with that API than any other.
I also was, for a time, pretty much "the guy" when it came to the ActiveX bridge (which was a handy piece of technology for me at the time). I still get comments and questions about the tutorial I wrote years ago for it. And, as I said, I am working more with J2EE now, I am actually studying for my SCWCD (Sun Certified Web Component Developer) exam.
Q) What do you think about the certification process?
A) There is an ongoing debate in this forum on the "value" of the SCJP and related certifications and originally I decided to take the SCJP exam because I didn't feel qualified to have an opinion if I hadn't actually done it.
What I found though was that the process provided great value to me personally in helping to motivate me and focus my attention on parts of the language I wasn't so familiar with.
I know an awful lot more about Generics than I did before. And the process also helped me to identify what areas of the language I am strongest and weakest in. I think that generally the value of the certs is what you put into it, but I think there is a good deal of value to be found in a process that gives you some objective feedback on your language knowledge.
At any rate, I found the experience positive enough to register for the SCWCD exam as well because that's the area I'm looking to improve my skills in currently.
Q) How long have you been involved in the Sun Forums? What do you like about being a participant? What don't you like? What works? What doesn't?
A) I have been a participant here for some time. As others will probably say, I sure have learned a lot here from others. I can say that I honestly believe that this forum has the best collection of gurus in various areas of expertise.
There are a lot of very helpful people here with incredible amounts of real world experience.
I am also very pleased to see the changes that Sun has taken with regards to day-to-day involvement and interaction with this forum and community.
I now know that Sun is interested in our opinions and ideas of how to make this a better place and is committed to making it work. And from me this is saying something, because, *cough*, I have done a certain amount of complaining in the past.
For me though the best part of my forum experience is the number of people I am proud to call friends whom I have met through my involvement here.
I have made friends with many Java programmers from all over the globe and I have been lucky enough to meet a number of them in person. I've met kajbj, macrules2, MLRon, CeciNEstPasUnProgrammeur and tsith among others.
Q) What's your view on open source projects?
A) Mostly great stuff. I think the one area in which some open source projects seem to struggle is in long-term vision/consistent planning. It's hard sometimes to keep one focus when many contributors from all over each work on parts.
But I don't mean to be negative. An open collaborative process produces more than the sum of its parts, better code, more opportunities for identifying shortfalls and making improvements.
Q) How about your spare time? What are you up to outside of work?
Spare time?
Outside of work I enjoy reading military history (I just finished re-reading Clausewitz), working on projects around the house, playing hockey and spending quality time with my wife and dog.
Q) What's next for you?
Hmmmm. I don't really know. I do know that it will involve a lot of learning though. I think that's the aspect of programming that I like the best actually. No matter all the things you know there's always much more out there that you don't and new ideas, platforms and systems come around all the time.
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