Table of Contents
Introduction
C and C++ have been there in the conventional as well as the upcoming development environments, due to its wide community and well-written documentation. Over their years of existence, C and C++ have been upgraded numerous times.
Now, the standard template library of C and C++ has become so rich that developers just need to call the desired methods and their job is already half-done.
There have been scenarios in which one applicant claims to be well-versed with C or C++, but the recruiters look for a higher level of knowledge. To avoid such ambiguity, especially during the off-campus recruitment processes, it becomes very easy for both sides, if the candidate holds an authorised certification.
This ensures that the candidate is at least familiar with the concepts covered in the syllabus of the certification exam.
Many organisations have their own benchmarks laid down for easy hiring such as TCS has its Global Coding Competition, Codevita and Google organises Google KickStart every year. C or C++ language certificate is not a company-specific benchmark, rather it is a general benchmark that has been duly accredited by most of the IT firms worldwide.
With this, the job prospects for C and C++ enthusiasts who are inquisitive about the technology and possess the relevant skills to use it are increasing. Read below, to know more about The Four Best C and C++ Language Certifications in 2021 and their scope.
What are C and C++?
C is a structural or procedural-oriented programming language that is machine-independent and extensively used in numerous applications and complex programs such as Oracle database, Git, Python interpreter.
C programming language can be called the original programming language as it forms the base for other programming languages. If you are familiar with the C language, then you can easily learn other programming languages.
C++ is a purpose-specific programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Labs circa 1980. C++ language is quite analogous to C language, and it is so compatible with C that it can run 99% of C programs without making any changes to the source of code even though C++ is an object-oriented programming language.
Why is C and C++ Language Certification important?
A recognized C/C++ certificate is a valid recognition for attaining better employment, first-rate expertise and escaping higher competitiveness. Certification creates a path for getting a better job and a better salary. It is a great tool for self-improvement and self-development.
Difference between C and C++
The basic features of C and C++ are analogous yet the two have a wide range of differences, refer to the table below to have a grasp on the basic difference between C and C++:
| C | C++ |
| C was developed by Dennis Ritchie between the years 1969 and 1973 at AT&T Bell Labs. | C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979. |
| C doesn’t support the OOPs concepts. | C++ supports OOPs concepts such as Polymorphism, Inheritance, Abstraction, and Encapsulation. |
| C is a subset of C++. | C++ is the superset of C. |
| C supports only procedural programming paradigms. | C++ supports both procedural and object-oriented programming paradigms. |
| C comes with only 32 keywords. | C++ supports a high value of 63 keywords. |
| User-defined data types are not supported in C. | User-defined data types are supported in C++. |
| It is a function-driven language. | It is an object-driven language. |
Scope of C and C++ Language Certification in the IT sector
Currently, job titles do not emphasize C and C++ developer hiring. Hence, when you seek job roles for C and C++ developers, focus on the job descriptions rather than the job titles.
Certification in C or C++ allows to be front-runners for the below-mentioned job profiles:
- DevOps Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Software Developer
- C++ Architect [Senior]
- C and C++ Developer [Senior]
- Software Associate
- Member of Technical Staff
The four best C Language Certifications in 2021
1. CLA – C Programming Language Certified Associate
C Programming Language Certified Associate (CLA) is a professional certificate that analyses the candidate’s ability to accomplish coding tasks in the C programming language.
As well as the basic programming techniques, customs, and vocabulary, including the most common library functions and the usage of the preprocessor in the C language.
The candidate should be well-versed with the following concepts:
- The fundamental concepts of computer programming and developer tools.
- The syntax and semantics of the C language as well as data types offered by the C language.
- Developing programs using standard language infrastructure irrespective of the hardware or software platform.
| Important details of CLA | |
| Exam name: | CLA – C Programming Language Certified Associate (CLA – C Certified Associate Programmer) |
| Exam code: | CLA |
| Associated certifications: | CLP – C Certified Professional Programmer, |
| Exam version: | 1.0 (2012), 2.0 (2015), CLA-NP-11-02 (OpenEDG Testing Service), CLA-11-02 (Pearson VUE) |
| Duration: | 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial) |
| Number of questions: | 55 |
| Format: | Single-choice, Multiple-choice questions |
| Passing score: | 70% |
| Full exam price: | USD 295 (see discount information) |
| Languages: | English |
| Delivery Channel: | Pearson VUE Testing Centers (CLA-11-02), OpenEDG Testing Service (CLA-NP-11-02) |
| Testing Policies: | CLA-11-02 (Testing Policies), CLA-NP-11-02 (Testing Policies) |
| Purchase Vouchers: | OpenEDG Voucher Store |
2. CLP: C Certified Professional Programmer
C Certified Professional Programmer (CLP) is a professional certificate that measures the candidate’s ability in accomplishing coding and designing tasks related to advanced topics of the C programming language.
As well as advanced programming techniques, including the library functions and the using the high computing preprocessor.
The candidate should be well-versed with the following concepts:
- Handling variable number of parameters (<stdarg.h>)
- Low level I/O (<unistd.h>)
- Memory and strings (<string.h> et al.)
- Processes and threads
- Float and int (<math.h>, <fenv.h>, <inttypes.h> et al.)
- Network sockets, the basic concepts
| Important details of CLP | |
| Exam name: | CLP – C Certified Professional Programmer |
| Exam code: | CLP-12-01 |
| Associated certifications: | CLA – C Programming Language Certified Associate |
| Pre-requisites: | CLA – C Programming Language Certified Associate |
| Exam version: | 12-01 (Published) |
| Duration: | 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial) |
| Number of questions: | 55 |
| Format: | Single-choice, Multiple-choice questions |
| Passing score: | 70% |
| Full exam price: | USD 295 (see discount information) |
| Languages: | English |
3. CPA: C++ Certified Associate Programmer
C++ Certified Associate Programmer (CPA) is a professional certificate that measures your ability to accomplish coding tasks related to the basics of programming in the C++ language and the basic notations and techniques used in object-oriented programming.
The candidate should be well-versed with the following concepts:
- The fundamental concepts of computer programming.
- The syntax and semantics of the C++ language and the basic data types offered by the C++ language.
- The principles of the object-oriented model and its implementation in the C++ language.
- This means it is useful in resolving typical implementation problems with the help of the standard C++ language libraries.
Image Source: https://cppinstitute.org/
| Important details of CPA | |
| Exam name: | CPA – C++ Certified Associate Programmer |
| Exam code: | CPA |
| Associated certifications: | CPP – C++ Certified Professional Programmer |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Exam version: | 1.0 (2012), CPA-NP-21-01 (OpenEDG Testing Service), CPA-21-01 (Pearson VUE, retiring), CPA-21-02 (Pearson VUE/OnVUE Online Proctoring) |
| Duration: | 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial) |
| Number of questions: | 55 (CPA-21-01), 40 (CPA-21-02) |
| Format: | Single-choice, Multiple-choice questions |
| Passing score: | 80% (CPA-21-01), 70% (CPA-21-02) |
| Full exam price: | USD 295 (see discount information) |
| Languages: | English |
| Delivery Channel: | Pearson VUE Testing Centers (CPA-21-01/21-02), OnVUE (CPA-21-02) |
| Testing Policies: | CPA-21-01 & CPA-21-02 (Testing Policies) |
| Purchase Vouchers: | OpenEDG Voucher Store |
4. CPP: C++ Certified Professional Programmer
C++ Certified Professional Programmer (CPP) is a professional certificate that measures your ability to accomplish coding tasks related to advanced C++ topics including classes, templates and the Standard Template Library.
The candidate should be well-versed with the following concepts:
- C++ template mechanism, reading and understanding the definitions of template functions and classes.
- Using property template classes and methods, including third-party templates.
- Creating template functions and classes.
- C++ STL library including the I/O part.
- Solving common programming problems with STL predefined classes and methods.
| Important details of CPP | |
| Exam name: | CPP – C++ Certified Professional Programmer |
| Exam code: | CPP-22-02 |
| Associated certifications: | CPA – C++ Certified Associate Programmer |
| Pre-requisites: | CPA – C++ Certified Associate Programmer |
| Exam version: | 1.0 (2012) CPP-22-01, CPP-22-02 (Published) |
| Duration: | 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial) |
| Number of questions: | 60 (CPP/CPP-22-01), 40 (CPP-22-02) |
| Format: | Single-choice, Multiple-choice questions |
| Passing score: | 80% (CPP/CPP-22-01), 70% (CPP-22-02) |
| Full exam price: | USD 295 (see discount information) |
| Languages: | English |
Retake policy of these Certification examinations
There are certain terms and conditions that need to follow during reattempts, they are:
- In case the candidate fails an exam, he or she must wait 15 days before being allowed to re-attempt that exam.
- There is no limit to the number of times a candidate may retake an exam.
- No retakes of a cleared exam of the same exam version are allowed. They follow a no score improvement policy.
- Any candidate who has paid the full exam price (USD 295), or has completed the CLA course in the self-study mode (used a 50% discount voucher to schedule the exam) in the C/C++ Education Platform, is eligible for one free retake of the CLA exam.
- A candidate who meets the above criteria and wants to receive a free voucher to re-attempt a failed exam must fill out and submit the retake voucher request form within 365 days after failing the exam and must be sure that the exam version has not been retired.
- The voucher entitling the candidate to a free retake of the exam will be sent to the candidate’s email address associated with their Pearson VUE account post submitting the request. The voucher is valid for at least 45 days.
Recommendations for attaining C and C++ Language Certifications
We highly recommend learners select one of the best online platforms for gaining virtual access to the C and C++ development environment for cracking the certification exam.
Some entrepreneurs such as Intellipaat, Google, and others have ranked as the most popular picks of the year 2021 by the students as these provide an interactive experience required for qualifying for C and C++ language certificate
You should carefully evaluate the prices, course period, mentors, remarks, and reviews of the ex-learners prior to making your choice so that you can pick the one that meets your requirements and expectations to the maximum extent.
Frequently Asked Questions
The top two C language certifications are:
1. CLA – C Programming Language Certified Associate
2. CLP: C Certified Professional Programmer
Yes, you can get certified in C programming language by clearing any of the C certification exams and attaining the threshold score for passing the exam.
The four best C and C++ language certificates in 2021 are as follows:
1. CLA – C Programming Language Certified Associate
2. CLP: C Certified Professional Programmer
3. CPA: C++ Certified Associate Programmer
4. CPP: C++ Certified Professional Programmer
The top two C++ language certifications are:
1. CPA: C++ Certified Associate Programmer
2. CPP: C++ Certified Professional Programmer
Many times Google, Oracle, and other top-notch companies give out free credits to students for clearing their certification exam. You may even check out Coding Ninjas free trial course on C++ and get certified.
Key Takeaways
Software Development is a passion for many engineering graduates. C or C++ Certification provides you with an opportunity to work with top-notch IT companies eventually and understand the working paradigm of the developer’s environment architecture.
The time invested by the developer and their efforts is duly acknowledged by giving the credits and an acknowledgment certificate for it. It is a very remarkable achievement for any Software developer who has cleared the C or C++ language certificate as it is acknowledged worldwide.
The students get a professional working organization along with well-written tutorials that teach them every minute detail of the container paradigm. Post this, students have earned hands-on experience in server-side development.
In the future, there is a very high probability of students with C or C++ certification getting shortlisted by top-notch companies for internships and job opportunities.
By Vanshika Singolia
