Do i need 2010 to practice for CLD? I currently have 2009.

[Lucither]

Hi All,

Well i finally got round to doing my CLAD yesterday and passed, Yipeee! Also by coincidence became an 'Active Participant' on this forum, Like all my christmas's coming at once.

I had to do the CLAD as i am planning on doing the CLD exam in a couple of weeks. My question is this: I have LabVIEW 2009 but the test im sure will be in 2010. Are there that many differences that i should download an evaluation version of 2010 to practice or will i be ok using what i have?

Im just worried that i turn up and waste an hour navigating 2010. If the layout and pallets are similar to 2009 then i think i will be ok.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Lucither

[ajmartin]

Well, I just went from 8.6 to 2010 and things look pretty much the same, but the trial ver of 2010 is FREE for 30 days , so why not see for your self?

Alan

[smercurio_fc]

There are a number of fundamental differences between 2009 and 2010. Whether or not these differences will play into the CLD can't be said since those who take the CLD cannot discuss the details. The CLD will be given using the latest released version of LabVIEW, so it would be beneficial for you to acclimate yourself with 2010.

[Darren · Accepted solution]

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@smercurio_fc wrote:

There are a number of fundamental differences between 2009 and 2010....

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That's a bit of a stretch in my opinion.  There are certainly new features, and some changes under the hood, but as far as certification test preparation, I can't think of anything that would cause someone trouble if they prepared in 2009 but took the exam in 2010.  In other words, there's nothing preventing you from writing a test solution in 2010 exactly as you would have in 2009.  And the graders do not penalize test takers for neglecting to use features that were just introduced in the latest version.

[smercurio_fc]

My comment was related to a general set of differences between 2009 and 2010, not specific to certification test preparation. Whether those differences have any impact on the CLD I can't say for sure because (a) I've never taken the CLD, and (b) even if I did I wouldn't be able to talk about it. Also, solutions done in one version would be different than those done in another version. For example, as a trivial example, the for-loop with a break condition certainly can cause one to write solutions in a considerably different way. And it may not seem that way to you, but to some end users (such as myself), I consider some of the differences between 2009 and 2010 quite fundamental.

[Darren]

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@smercurio_fc wrote:

My comment was related to a general set of differences between 2009 and 2010, not specific to certification test preparation....

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Since the OP was asking about differences specifically in regard to test preparation, I wanted to make sure he didn't think extra work (i.e. installing the 2010 eval) was required for CLD prep.

[josborne]

Personally, I think you are OK with being knowledgable in 2009. 

I remember the last time I re-certified (2008), I had not seen the latest version.  Instead, I simply read-up on the new functionality that was in the newest release.  And I didn't see any surprises.

[Lucither]

Thanks everybody for your input. Am now more confused then before!

My main concern was to do with the layout of 2010. I was worried it would be like going from word 2003 to word 2010, i still struggle to use the latest version of word as i have always stuck with 2003 on my computer. From what i hear this is not going to be a problem. I am reluctant to get 2010 just for the CLD as i have no intention of buying 2010. Im sure if i downloaded the eval version i would like it and knowing my level of will-power i will be forced to part with a lot of cash.

Thanks again for your advice.

Regards,

Lucither.

[Darren]

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@Lucither wrote:

My main concern was to do with the layout of 2010.

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There are no major differences between the 2009 and 2010 editor experience.  You should be fine.