Top 5 certifications for developers

A quick glance at the Wikipedia list of programming languages~reveals a startling~number. Fortunately, there are only a handful most developers want or need to learn. And with countless certification programmes available to help developers hone their skills, choosing the right one can be just as mind-blowingly challenging as learning the skills.

Here are our top 5 choices for 2014:

~1/ Oracle (Sun) Java Certifications~

Oracle (Sun) Java Certifications can provide a good rate of return. Data analysts PayScale claim the median salary for a newly qualified Sun Certified Java programmer is $50,886. This can double within a decade. Courses range from associate and professional level qualifications to the performance-based Oracle Certified Master qualification which demonstrates advanced proficiency in the Java programming language using Java SE. In an Oracle survey, 80% of certification holders reported a promotion, salary increase or another career improvement.

~2/~ZCE: Zend Certified Engineer

Zend Certified Engineers (ZCE) demonstrate top level PHP expertise. Developed to meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, ZCE exams test a candidate’s level of knowledge in PHP (currently PHP 5.5) or Zend Framework and use real-life scenarios created by thought leaders in the PHP community to challenge their skills. On completion, certificate holders can enter the Zend Certified Engineers database which can open doors to opportunities all over the world.

~3/ ACE: Adobe Certified Expert for Developers

Another IT qualification that could get you the job, promotion, pay rise or simply recognition you want is the Adobe Certification for Developers. Available on the following products: ColdFusion, Flex and LiveCycle Enterprise Suite, the ACE is designed to help you keep your professional edge in today’s competitive jobs market. Recertification ensures your continued expertise on Adobe products.

~4/ Ruby

Ruby is a dynamic, open-source language that is gaining increasing presence due to its natural, easy to read and write syntax. In 2013, it frequently trended among the top 10 languages on career sites. Ruby also featured in a Mashable article on the 10 programming languages to learn in 2014.~ Aimed at engineers who design, develop and/or operate Ruby-based systems and Ruby trainers and consultants, the certifications demonstrate high levels of Ruby-based system development capabilities. Certificate holders become a Ruby Association Certified Ruby Programmer.

5/ iOS Developer Program

No discussion on developer certifications would be complete without a look at apps. While there are always training companies keen to sell you a shiny certificate, having an app in the app store is far more important to many recruiters than any piece of paper. As one person says on Programmers Stack Exchange, “a certificate says ‘I trained to do that’. A developed app says ‘I did that’.” For $99, the Apple iOS Developer Program provides the development tools to create iOS applications for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, with technical resources provided in the iOS Dev Center. Support is available in the Apple Developer Forums, which are a great place to hang out with fellow developers and Apple engineers.