My Journey towards Confluent Certified Developer for Apache Kafka(CCDAK) certification
Hello Pals!
In this blog, let me tell you about my exciting journey and what it takes to pass the Confluent Certified Developer for Apache Kafka(CCDAK) certification.
Understanding Apache Kafka and CCDAK
Apache Kafka, a distributed streaming platform, is the backbone of modern data architecture, facilitating the real-time flow of data. The CCDAK certification, priced at $150 USD (check for latest updates here), evaluates your prowess in Kafka’s intricate ecosystem. It gauges your understanding of key components, architecture, and practical application scenarios. In my view, the exam was of medium to hard difficulty. After acquiring the certification, Confluent provides a certificate valid for 2 years alongside a badge which you can of course put in your email signature too :D. So lets take a deep dive.
Navigating the Learning Path
My preparation was anchored by a variety of resources that proved invaluable. Courses by Stéphane Maarek on Udemy stood out for their depth and clarity(which I took lot of time to complete these :) ). Post that, after acquiring an extensive theoretical and practical knowledge on Kafka and its components, I shifted to Confluent’s official documentation — a treasure trove of detailed insights — and videos delving into every nook and cranny of Kafka’s components. The documentation wasn’t just a collection of facts; it was a comprehensive repository of detailed insights, offering a deep dive into Kafka’s functionalities, configurations, and best practices crafted to cater to beginners and seasoned professionals alike.
Links:
Learn Apache Kafka for Beginners v3
Kafka Streams for Data Processing
KSQL on ksqlDB for Stream Processing !
Confluent Schema Registry & REST Proxy
Key Components: Cracking the Code
So, these are the important concepts which we need to master in advance, to take an attempt.
Kafka Streams, KSQLDB, Kafka connect, Schema Registry and basics of Kafka architecture & administration, Producer & Consumer Java APIS.
The core points which I feel pretty important were listed below.
Joins & Datatypes in ksql
Global kTable examples
Partitioning Strategy in Kafka
Schema compatibility
Functioning of Connectors
Producer & Consumer design and performance implications
Stateless and stateful transformations in Ksql
Producer configurations
Conclusion
Embarking on the quest for the CCDAK certification opened doors to a deeper understanding of Apache Kafka’s role in the data streaming universe. Remember, the journey matters as much as the destination. Arm yourself with a strong foundation in Kafka’s components, stay updated with the latest resources, and keep practicing — the CCDAK certification might just be the next milestone in your journey of Kafka mastery!
Cheers!