Some information about IBM WebSphere Portal V5.

1, Application Development Exam

http://www-142.ibm.com/software/sw-

lotus/services/cweeducation.nsf/wdocs/exam399preppage

for some more information on the tests and levels

http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/ws_index.shtml

some important points to note in the links

IBM WebSphere Portal V5.1, Application Development Exam Competencies

(Exam 399):

Job Role Description / Target Audience

This certification targets intermediate level J2EE developers, architects or consultants

with extensive product knowledge, who design or develop portal solutions. These

individuals have a breadth of knowledge in basic operational services and skills for IBM

WebSphere Portal Enable V5.1 and can:

• program and design portal solutions using IBM WebSphere Portal V5.1.

• develop, test, debug, deploy, and configure portlets based on JSR 168 and the IBM

provided extensions plus other applicable JAVA standards for portlet development.

• understand portal development, portlet development, and debugging using IBM

Rational Application Developer (RAD)

Prerequisite Skills and Knowledge

(Note: Knowledge and skills one needs to possess before beginning to prepare for this
job role certification)
• Strong knowledge of JAVA programming

• Experience with Rational Application Developer (RAD)

• Experience with JavaServer Pages Standard Tag library (JSTL)

• In-depth understanding of WebSphere Portal

• Understanding of J2EE web container programming

Exam Competencies:
The test consists of six sections containing a total of approximately 51 multiple-choice

questions. The percentages after each section reflect the approximate distribution of the

total question set across the sections.

Section 1 - Install, Set up and Configure the Development Environment (8%)

A. Understand software prerequisites

B. Choose development scenarios (Topologies)

C. Diagnose problems with development environment installation

Section 2 - Architecting a Portal Solution (12%)

A. Identify portal dependencies on existing software

B. Use out-of-the-box portlets

C. Search the Workplace Solutions Catalog

D. Size the custom portlets that have to be written

E. Develop themes, skins and screens

Section 3 - Write a Portlet (43%)

A. .Describe the portlet life cycle

B. Develop Portlet applications utilizing Portlet JSR 168 API core objects

C. Effectively utilize portlet configuration and state objects to control portlet behavior

D. Effectively utilize portlet modes and states

E. Implement action processing

F. Use APIs to forward and redirect URLs

G. Support multiple markup

H. Embed references to resources within a portlet

I. Effectively use JSPs to supply portlet rendering markup

J. Support multiple locales, clients and devices within a portlet application

K. Compile and package a WAR file

L. Work with portlet deployment descriptors (caching)

M. Make effective use of portlet application wizards

Section 4 - Testing and debugging a Portal Solution (12%)

A. Set up portlet parameters

B. Debug a portlet using a local Portal Unit Test Environment (UTE)

C. Debug a portlet using WebSphere Portal remote server attach

D. Troubleshoot portlet applications

Section 5 - Backend Porlet Services (17%)

A. Use a portlet service

B. Create a portlet service

C. Configure and access application-specific data sources

D. Use Service Data Objects (SDO) tooling to enable access to remote systems

E. Utilize the credential vault service

F. Implement cooperative portlets

Section 6 - Additional Portlet Concepts (8%)

A. Use struts concepts within the portal framework and JavaServer Faces

B. Implement personalization within portlet application

C. Utilize business process engine (bpe) API

IBM WebSphere Certification Test Fees

The IBM WebSphere certification test fees are set to the economy of a country. For the

applicable test fee within your country, refer to the test delivery vendor.

In general, however, effective January 1, 2007, the test fees are as follows (shown in USA

dollars):

$150 in developed countries

$ 75 in emerging market countries

IBM Certified Application Developer - WebSphere Commerce V6.0

http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/12004101.shtml

Job Role Description / Target Audience

This intermediate level technical professional is an individual who understands

WebSphere Commerce architecture and is able to use the WebSphere Commerce

development tools to create and customize WebSphere Commerce V6.0. This

professional should be familiar with the data model and programming model for

WebSphere Commerce, common WebSphere Commerce programming techniques, and

methods for extending the base WebSphere Commerce functionality.

This professional is able to perform the following development tasks:

• successfully install and configure the development tool

• customize the store front

• customize the web-based administration tools

• customize the underlying business logic

• integrate with back-end systems and external applications

• test and debug

• create load files for site/store data

• deploy customized code

• understand possible migration issues

• describe integration with Sales Center and Gift Center

To attain the IBM Certified Application Developer - IBM WebSphere Commerce V6.0

certification, candidates must possess the skills outlined under Recommended

Prerequisites below and pass 1 test. To prepare for this test, based on the job role and

test objectives, take the link to Test 217 below, and refer to the Test Preparation tab.

Recommended Skills

(knowledge and skills one needs to possess before beginning to prepare for this job role

certification)
Good understanding of:

• XML technologies

• J2EE architecture

• Rational Application Developer

• SQL and relational database concepts

• J2EE development including JSP, JSTL, Java Beans, EJBs, etc.

Requirements:
This certification requires 1 test(s).
Test(s):

1. Test 217 - IBM WebSphere Commerce V6.0 Application Development

Test 217 - IBM WebSphere Commerce V6.0 Application

Development

Test information:

• Number of questions: 52
• Time allowed in minutes: 75
• Required passing score: 52%
• Test languages: English

Objectives:
The test consists of six sections containing a total of approximately 52 multiple-choice

questions. The percentages after each section title reflect the approximate distribution of

the total question set across the sections.

Section 1 - WebSphere Commerce Toolkit Development Environment (13%)

• Install the development tool

• Configure the development environment

• Configure tracing

• Package store customizations

• Publish starter stores

• Enable workspaces
Section 2 - Architecture and Data Model (21%)

• Describe the application framework

• Describe the integration architecture and integration points

• Use on-line documentation

• Describe the data model

• Create load files for site/store data

• Describe the major subsystems

Section 3 - Customize the Store Front (27%)

• Develop store front pages

• Create a new view

• Provide access control for views

• Use proper development techniques for creating cached pages

• Maintain store text and property files

• Create store pages that support globalization

• Handle errors in store pages

• Describe the provided business models

• Modify store flows

Section 4 - Customize the Business Logic (21%)

• Create and configure payment plugins

• Extend the persistence layer

• Enforce access control in commands

• Create and extend commerce commands

• Handle errors in commerce commands

Section 5 - Customize WebSphere Commerce Tools (6%)

• Describe the tools architecture

• Use the tools framework to add components

Section 6 - Integrate with Back-end Systems and Additional Software Components

(12%)

• Implement web services

• Configure support for MQ Series

• Add support for IBM Gift Center

• Describe the IBM Sales Center architecture

• Integrate with Coremetrics

To prepare for Test 217, it is first recommended that you are familiar with the job role

description and the parameters this certification is based on, as well as have knowledge

of the topics outlined in the test objectives/skills measured on the test. Compare your

own technical level to the test objectives and the recommended training resources, and

then determine for yourself how much preparation you require. Note that these

educational sources are recommended, but not required (*) before taking a certification

test.

Before preparing for the certification test, it is recommended that you measure your

current level of skill by taking the Assessment Test (located from the Sample/Assessment

Test link above). After you have completed your test preparation/training, you can assess

your improved level of skill and readiness for the certification test, by re-taking the

Assessment Test.

You can prepare for the test via the collective sources below.

(*) Notes:

1. The recommended educational resources listed are not intended to be a substitute for,

but should complement, relevant practical experience.

2. Every effort has been made to make the recommended educational resources as

complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty of fitness is implied. The

resources provided are on an as is basis. IBM shall have neither liability nor

responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from

course or publication content.

Classroom Course

Course title: IBM WebSphere Commerce V6 Hands-on Training for Developers

Course duration: 4.0 days

Course number: SW541

Abstract: Learn the skills necessary to customize the basic features of an IBM WebSphere

Commerce site and learn the skills required to customize the new and unique features of

IBM WebSphere Commerce V6. During this course, you practice the key tasks involved

in implementing customizations for the support of a commerce enterprise using IBM

WebSphere Commerce V6.

Online course

Course title: IBM WebSphere Commerce Fundamentals

Course duration: Varies

Course number: SW866

Abstract: This course is intended as the starting point for those who are new to

Commerce and need an introduction to Commerce functions and capabilities before

undertaking the role specific training. It is a self-directed, self-paced course that is

divided into modules to allow students to select and customize the training to meet their

individual educational requirements.

Course title: Introduction to IBM WebSphere Commerce V6.0 Store Development

Course duration: Varies

Course number: SW868

Abstract: Skilled Java or Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) developers, and

solution designers get an introduction to the IBM WebSphere Commerce V6

programming architecture and development environment. This knowledge is required

in order to learn to design and develop the customizations for IBM WebSphere

Commerce that may be desired in support of a specific commercial enterprise.

Product Documentation
IBM WebSphere Commerce V6.0

• Acquire a good working knowledge of the product, and study the product

documentation and tutorials

• WebSphere Commerce Developer Installation Guide V6.0

Web Resource :

Info Centers:
WebSphere Commerce Information Center / WebSphere
Commerce V6 Online Help

Rational Application Development Information Center

*Reference "Creating enterprise beans* section only