The
Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) is the portion of Microsoft
responsible for managing the firm's relationship with developers.
Developers covered by MSDN
This includes many different kinds of developers: hardware developers
interested in the operating system (OS), developers standing on the
various OS platforms, developers leveraging the API and scripting
languages of Microsoft's many applications.
Information service
The division runs an information service provided by Microsoft for
software developers. Its main focus is on Microsoft's .NET platform,
however it also features articles on areas such as programming practices
and design patterns.
Many resources are available for free
online, while others are available by mail via a subscription. Depending
on subscription level, subscribers may receive early editions of
Microsoft operating systems or other Microsoft products (Microsoft
Office applications, Visual Studio, etc.).
Some Universities are enrolled in the MSDN Academic Alliance program,
which provides MSDN subscriptions for their computer science students
(and possibly other students or faculty as well).
Later version
MSDN2 was opened in November 2004 as a source for Visual Studio 2005 API
information, with noteworthy differences being updated web site code,
conforming better to web standards and thus giving a long awaited
improved support for alternative web browsers to Internet Explorer in
the API browser.
Microsoft Certification Programs
Microsoft
Certified Systems Engineer
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (or MCSE) is the best-known
certification. As of 2006, the MCSE is available for two different
products, Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, with different sets of
exams. Some Windows 2000-level exams are considered applicable to the
Windows Server 2003 track.
For both tracks, candidates must pass a design exam and elective exams
(for Windows 2000, one design and two electives, for Windows 2003, one
of each), for a total of seven exams. The topic of these exams include
network security, computer network infrastructure, Active Directory,
Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, and other topics of both
general networking interest as well as specific Microsoft products.Microsoft
Certified Application Developer
The Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) certification is
the entry-level programming certification. The curriculum covers many
topics related to the Microsoft .NET development platform. The
requirements for this certification lead directly into the MCSD
certification.
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer
The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) certification is the
highest level programming certification offered by Microsoft. To fulfill
the requirements of the certification, a total of five exams (four core
exams, one elective exam) must be passed. Some of the core exams are
also requirements for the MCAD. Microsoft has declared that this
certification will be focussed towards the needs of developers using
.NET Framework 1.0 and 1.1 versions. Developers using .NET Framework 2.0
and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 are expected to consider undergoing
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified
Professional Developer (MCPD) certifications.
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification
certifies a user's knowledge in system administration of Microsoft
Windows operating systems and is easier than, but not a subset of, the
MCSE. The MCSA is achieved upon passing a predetermined set of four
exams.
Whereas the MCSE is supposed to certify a person's ability to "plan,
design, and implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and
architectures in medium- to large-sized companies", the MCSA certifies a
holder's ability to "implement, manage, and maintain the typically
complex computing environment of medium- to large-sized companies".
Like the MCSE, the MCSA is available as "MCSA on Windows 2000" and "MCSA
on Windows 2003" as of 2005. There exist two specializations for both
tracks: Messaging and Security.
Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) credential is for
database administrators, who implement and administer Microsoft SQL
Server databases. The certification is appropriate for individuals who
derive physical database designs, develop logical data models, create
physical databases, create data services by using Transact-SQL, manage
and maintain databases, configure and manage security, monitor and
optimize databases, and install and configure SQL Server.
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) is a
lower-level credential that demonstrates a technician can competently
support end users and troubleshoot desktop environments running on
Microsoft Windows. MCDST candidates are required to pass two core exams.
Elective exams are not required.
Microsoft Office Specialist
The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), previously named Microsoft Office
User Specialist (MOUS) is a certification for using the Microsoft Office
suite of business applications.
Microsoft Certified Trainer
The Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) certification is for individuals
who intend to train users wanting to obtain any of the other
certifications.
Criticism
While the MCSE certifies familiarity with Microsoft products, it is not,
as its name suggests, an engineering qualification. Use of the title
engineer is rife within the IT certification industry and is not limited
to Microsoft (for example, Red Hat Certified Engineer).
Use of the term has led to some
consternation amongst associations of professional engineers, and
allegations that the use of the MCSE name may even be illegal in some
jurisdictions where the term "engineer" is regulated by law. The MCSE
and MCSA have been criticized as not adequately demonstrating a person's
skill in the certified area. This is due to the growing number of "Paper
MCSAs/MCSEs" (see list of MCSE backronyms).
This term describes people who achieve
their certification solely by reading books and have no practical
experience. Furthermore there are many people who achieved the
certification merely by memorizing "braindumps" (actual test questions
and possibly answers). Though Microsoft insists that every test taker
agrees by click-through agreement, that he will not disclose the actual
questions they were asked on the test, these braindumps are commonly
found on the Internet.
There are also quite a number of
companies that make a living out of selling these braindumps. This
problem concerns almost all certifications, not just Microsoft's.
Although Microsoft is busy suing those companies and closing websites
which disclose any test questions, it is quite obvious that the only
real solution to this problem would be to change test questions more
frequently (which would of course be quite costly, which is probably the
reason why Microsoft has not done this).
Microsoft response to criticism
Microsoft, realizing that the title was not held in high esteem, has
begun a process of making the exams more difficult. Microsoft has also
started taking legal action against individuals caught divulging the
contents of exams, which had led to some candidates knowing but not
understanding the answers to the exams they were about to face.
Microsoft has recently released two lower-tiered certifications, the
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician and Microsoft Certified
Systems Administrator. These are aimed at helpdesk staff and
administrators of small to medium sized business respectively. Since the
introduction of Windows Server 2003, MCSE has been retasked towards
those managing networks for medium to large sized business.
