I have found Design patterns certification at the Brainbehch.
I have heard from people who passed it, that there are many Language-specific patterns questions, mostly from Java and C++.
I think that this certification can:
- force me to improve my skills on Object oriented design and design patterns;
- improve and structure my knowledge of the domain;
- give real estimate of my knowledge, which is useful issue itself
The only confusion I have about this certification, is that I have to learn C++/Java language specific design patterns, while I mostly do PHP development and don’t want to switch to C++/Java.
I’m familiar with Java & C++ syntax, read lots of books about different subjects with code snippets in this programming languages.
I think, that if I pass well all concepts except language specific patterns at certification, it won’t be very good, because this concepts will gain quite low results.
What would you recommend in this particular circumstance?
This is personal opinion, but getting ‘certified’ in something like design patterns is a bit like getting ‘certified’ that you are a professional basketball player. If you are qualified, it will be obvious without a certification, and if you’re inexperienced, you won’t be able to get one anyway.
The best way to understand design patterns is to gain real, practical experience of when they do and don’t apply. Alas, you won’t get that without working on real software projects. Consider joining an open-source effort or starting your own project if you feel like your regular job doesn’t provide enough of a technical challenge for this to be feasible.
Often times people are trying to fit square pegs into round holes when they advise you to use a particular design pattern. It will take a certain level of experience and competence on your part to evaluate whether they’re right or not.