With a new version of Visual Studio .NET (VS.NET 2005) and the .NET Framework (version 2.0) in the works for 2005, not to mention similar retoolings planned for
C# .NET, ADO.NET, ASP.NET, and more besides, it’s almost inevitable that we’ll hear from Microsoft next year about a new generation of MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer) and MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer) credentials.
In fact, by taking a look at current exams, you can get a pretty good idea of the shape of things to come. Let’s take the MCAD as an example, and speculate about where the current program might lead to accommodate the aforementioned changes and introductions:
70-229 Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition: If history is any guide, because Yukon/SQL
Server 2005 will be out next year, this exam is likely to be discontinued in 2006. Look for a Yukon-based replacement to take over this slot.
70-230 Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000 Enterprise Edition: Because BizTalk Server 2004 is
already available, I believe a new exam is likely some time in the first half of 2005. As with the 229 exam, it’s pretty likely that this
one will be supplanted by that replacement within one year (or sometime in 2006).
70-234 Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000: The next version of Commerce Server is
planned for 2006, so the earliest this exam can be discontinued will be 2007. With three years of life left, those who are
interested in this topic can safely pursue this exam.
70-305 Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET: Because
new versions of Visual Studio .NET, new APIs, and a .NET Framework 2.0 are on the way next year, and with Web applications key to
Microsoft’s view of the future, this exam will probably be succeeded by a newer version. However, because it’s a core exam, it
might last until 2007 until it’s discontinued. (This was the pattern with the NT exams.)
70-306 Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual
Studio .NET: This one’s in the same boat as 70-305.
70-310 Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and the Microsoft .NET
Framework: Except that changes to ADO.NET, ASP.NET, and XML-based services will weigh heavily on this exam, this one is
also in the same boat as 70-305.
70-315 Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET: This exam
is in the same situation as 70-305, except that changes to C# .NET, ADO.NET, ASP.NET, and XML-based services will weigh heavily
on the 70-315 exam.
70-316 Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual
Studio .NET: This exam is pretty much the same as 70-315, except that it doesn’t involve as much XML content as a Web-focused
development strategy requires.
70-320 Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and the Microsoft .NET
Framework: Identical to 70-315, but with an even stronger emphasis on XML-based service, if that’s possible.
70-330 Implementing Security for Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET: As a relatively brand-new exam
(it was introduced in June 2004), look for this exam to be revised instead of replaced. If that’s what happens, this exam
is a good choice for those who want to factor next-generation stuff into their certs. (Exams 70-234 and 70-340 also qualify
in this regard.)
70-340 Implementing Security for Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET: This exam didn’t appear until June
2004 either, so look for it to be revised, not replaced. It’s another good choice for those who want to factor next-generation
stuff into their certs. (Exams 70-234 and 70-330 also qualify in this regard.)
Even though Microsoft hasn’t yet shared with us what it’s thinking or planning, it’s not terribly difficult to make some educated guesses about what will be coming in the wake of changes already announced. Now, all we have to do is wait 3 to 6 months to see if I’m guessing well or badly.
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