MCSD - best book/study guide for MCSD?

Author

best book/study guide for MCSD?

BootData

2001-04-26, 5:10 am

dear all..

what's the best book/study guide for preparation of MCSD cert.

one more thing, would a person with VB skill (elementary to intermediate) such as myself be having problem for the exam?

thanks all...

SasiSan

2001-04-26, 8:22 am

Skill -- Yes and No... The problem with the Beginner/Intermediate skill level is that they typically do not have any skill in object oriented design. Using class modules and making objects. COM is the number one thing tested on both exams. I was surprised how much of the Desktop exam was creating COM components and then the Distributed asked similar questions and how to deploy them.

So here is my advice. If you do not have any experience building COM components then buy the book:

Beginning VB6 Objects by Peter Wright, WROX Publishing, ISBN: 1-861001-72-X

The book has its elementary and corny moments but I think it does a fantastic job of introducing creating of ActiveX controls and objects. Most of the other books will make it so complicated that a beginner has trouble 'getting' it, if you know what I mean.

Next I would go with a book that cover's both exams because they are so similar. My book of choice is:

MCSD -- Visual Basic 6 Training Guide by Howard Hawhee, New Riders, ISBN: 0-7357-0002-8

He hits all the key elements and gives you one reference to a lot of material. The Exam Cram for the Distributed test is well written if you want additional resources.

Start with these and you will have plenty to keep you busy and going. Oh, and don't forget to use it -- if you don't work in the business find something that you can create an app for -- even if fictitous. The key point is to keep playing with it. Then when you get it, go online and look at the exam specific information... and take the tests!

One final parting shot. While you are getting the VB skills up a level, consider starting with the Analyzing Solutions exam.

BootData

2001-04-26, 8:37 am

SasiSan, thanks for the input.

i'm working in the IT business but no VB is involved

mostly i'm involved in the merchandising/retail system etc.

i'm trying to expand my horizon by strengthening my VB + ASP skills (waiting for the .NET final release also).

i guess i'll let my self busy during the weekends (my boss is not really happy for me to do anything else during office hours hehe..

thanks..
cheers...

SasiSan

2001-04-27, 7:39 pm

For your first project do something that will help him. Then see if he will let you work an hour a day, or half days on other projects that will help you guys work faster... That always helps win them over. Make it so that you are not doing this to move on but to help out in the day to day...

BootData

2001-05-02, 12:16 am

thanks for the input SasiSan, ..

the thing is the project doesnt involve VB/ASP at all...instead we'r using some old old language/tool such as Uniface (not sure about you, but i've never heard of it before this).

when i have free time (especially weekend, i try my best to do some reading + coding for my VB+ASP)...hope that in time, it will pay off..

cheers.

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