A similar anecdote (although not directly related to programming): I got my MCSA while in high school. When Microsoft offer the Dreamspark certifications, I ju

A similar anecdote (although not directly related to programming): I got my MCSA while in high school. When Microsoft offer the Dreamspark certifications, I jumped on the free upgrade test, and went and took it. I spent an hour or so studying for it, and got >900. Does that mean I am qualified to manage a Windows 2008 domain? Maybe. What it does mean, however, is that I am at least somewhat familiar with the tools that are available. While this may not be the same situation for programming certifications, I know for a fact that the MSCx certs have been helpful. While I don't know the ins and outs of maintaining a server, I am consistently shocked when I talk to a "server guy" who doesn't understand Active Directory structure at all, or the various types of inheritance that go on in Windows. I may not know everything, but at least I know what I don't know. That, I think, is the biggest benefit of a certification. It may not show what you do or do not know, but it does show that you at least know of the topics, which is more than can be said about many people.