should i be certified?

getting php quailifications if they exist

[taiwanho]

I've been programming php for a few years now and I have been doing a few commercial cases recently. But I have never had any formal training in any language.

The projects have gone fine, I just wonder if I would do a better job with some formal training.

So what do you reckon? And if it is worth getting some training, where is a good place to start?

[edacsac]

There isn't a recognized PHP certification. If you've been doing PHP for a few years, your probably becoming very good at it.

If your not using PHP5 and writing your code in an object oriented fashion, I would suggest doing that above all. Learning Object Oriented design will help you move between other languages much easier.

If you want to get a cert, look in to MySQL or Oracle for a database cert. PHP and (My)SQL are like peanut butter and jelly, and I find there are always new SQL tricks to learn. And, an SQL cert is recognized.

[aspdaddy]

As mentioed above there are no recognised quals for php development. You can get more general qualification s in OO design and project management.

The only quals that seem to be asked for in jobs in the UK are Degree or HND, ISEB, Prince2. Even senior mySQL jobs dont ask for the mySQL qual. For LAMP management a Unix qual may be some use.

[Little_G]

Hi,

Isn't Zend PHP 5 Certification [zend.com] recognized?

Andrew

[taiwanho]

Many thanks for the replies. I do use mysql a lot so I will look to that.

I suppose though that if clients aren't looking for certification then it will only be for my own satisfaction and it will be a balance between time and cost.

Thanks again, I appreciate the advise.

[lorax]

The only good thing that certification does is to tell a potential employer you know enough to get certified.

When it comes to clients, they need to know this as well but the certificate could come from a cereal box for all they know. What matters is a demonstration of your skills and experience. If you've written a fair sampling of scripts/tools I'd suggest you collect them in one location and allow the would be client to take them for a test spin. Put all of this behind a uname/pwd so you can pre-qualify the visitor (and get their contact info for follow ups).

[aspdaddy]

If its for your own reasons, then Id suggest doing a part-time course at a local tech college, find one with a good tutor though. It gives you that balace of time and cost better than a 5 day course.

Tech colleges typically run a range of coures in the evenings that cost for example 10 weeks X 3 hours £195. In subjects such as photoshop & dreamweaver combined, LAMP development, .NET development. You will gain a college certificate for these but also ask if they are undepinned by a recognised and generic certifcate such as a level 3 or 4 professional development award in web design or database programming. These can be built on and converted to a level 3 certifcate or diploma by doing additional coures. If you are Uk based drop me sticky & Ill send you some info.

Isn't Zend PHP 5 Certification recognized?

Not by employers and not by public funded education. That doesnt mena its not a good qualification but it just doesnt have currency.

Recognition is when vendors or funded education systems write and offer qualifcations and the employers understand them.

[taiwanho]

Again, many thanks for the advice. I agree that certification is only useful for clients if they recognise it, so it's very useful to know there isn't a standard.

For my personal development, I'll keep studying and get some examples on line as suggested.

I guess it will also help to study guidelines from other sites
plus other hints/tips as on that site and others.

Thanks again.

[edited by: jatar_k at 11:01 pm (utc) on May 1, 2008]
[edit reason] no urls thanks [/edit]