10/7/2000 -- This month Sun Microsystems will implement changes to its Java Programmer and Developer certification programs. According to the Sun Web site, the revisions are "minor" -- no changes have been made to either certification's objectives.

The Programming exam does feature new questions. The new test will still feature 61 questions, but the pass/fail percentage may be changed in order to equate the test's difficulty level with the previous exam, the Web site states.

For the Developer certification, the assignment remains the same, although developers can now submit assignments in jdk 1.3 in addition to jdk 1.2. In September, Sun also added five essay questions to Developer exam #310-027.

For more information about the changes, visit http://suned.sun.com/USA/certification/java_certification_news.html

In other Sun news, the company recently announced it will be adding four U.S.-based training centers in October 2000.

The centers will be located in:

• Pleasanton, Calif. (Opening Oct. 2)
• Tulsa, Oklahoma (Opening Oct. 2)
• Universal City, Calif. (Opening Oct. 2)
• Hampton, Virginia (Opening Oct. 9)

These centers are in addition to the 80 plus locations already established in North America. Sun also offers "traveling" training courses. For more information, please visit: http://suned.sun.com/USA/locations/. -B.N.