Microsoft’s MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solution Developer) is a high-level certification for advanced developers who design and develop leading-edge enterprise solutions, using Microsoft development tools and technologies as well as the Microsoft .NET Framework. The MCSD builds on the more entry-level MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer) certification by encompassing not only development, testing, deployment and maintenance, but also analysis and design.

The MCSD for Microsoft .NET got its start back in the summer of 2002. Prior to that, the MCSD was based on Visual Studio 6 technologies and was sometimes referred to as the MCSD on Windows 2000. The .NET MCSD certification does not retire but newer versions of it may be released as technology changes. There are no specific prerequisites for the MCSD, although Microsoft recommends that you have two years of experience developing and maintaining solutions and applications. As soon as candidates pass their first qualifying exam for the MCSD program, they achieve a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification. Moreover, a candidate that is working towards the MCSD will achieve the MCAD certification along the way. To achieve the MCSD, a candidate must pass a total of five exams: four core and one elective.

With .NET, Microsoft is also espousing a vision, this time about how the Internet can make businesses more efficient and deliver services to consumers. The present enterprise setup’s need to have n-tier architecture with diverse platforms and object models communicating with each other. The present applications are to be created such that those applications have to run in any platform (like Windows, Linux, Mac, Unix etc) and which consist of components written in many programming languages and object models.

Many language vendors have tried to upgrade their languages, but there is a limit to which they have been successful since they have to maintain backward capability and face many other problems too. To solve the problem of the current programmers Microsoft has come with a very promising solution “The .NET Platform”.

.NET provides a number of benefits that will make developers more productive, reduce the number of bugs, speed application development, and simplify deployment. IT managers are understandably wary, since .NET is a new technology that requires a moderately steep learning curve. For most organizations, however, the benefits will far outweigh the negatives; and with .NET, you’ll see great productivity gains for future development projects.

.NET certification is the premier credential for professionals who design and develop leading-edge business solutions with Microsoft .NET development tools, technologies and platforms.

You might want to consider taking the MCSD 70-316 exam to:

* Gain valuable skills, knowledge and expertise
* Raise your income
* Increase your job opportunities
* Earn more respect from your peers
* Improve your job security

Earning a Microsoft certification acknowledges your expertise in working with Microsoft products and technologies and sets you apart from the crowd as a development professional. Microsoft certification demonstrates that you have the ability to successfully implement Microsoft business solutions for your organization or client.

This article will provide a basic understanding of the scope of the certification and will also give details about the certification along with the useful resources to get started.