Let's say it's an important test.

Is it useful?
Are you smarter if you pass this test?
Are you a better programmer?

Test:

PHP Code:

<?php echo '2'.print(3); ?>

Answer the test without compile

Originally Posted by vectorialpx

Is it useful?

I suppose it's something to put on a resume if you don't already have a degree or some other credential that proves you know what you're doing.

Originally Posted by vectorialpx

Are you smarter if you pass this test?
Are you a better programmer?

The purpose of any test is to prove you know something, not teach you that thing.

Originally Posted by vectorialpx

Test:

PHP Code:

<?php echo '2'.print(3); ?>

Answer the test without compile

The output would be '321' because print always returns 1. Knowing this off the top of your head doesn't really say anything about how good of a programmer you are.

Is it useful?

probably not.

Are you smarter if you pass this test?

No, it simply means you can pass tests.

Are you a better programmer?

Not really

The only thing Certs will get you is respect. You will stand out more in a job interview over someone who has no certifications.

Well I think it's practically useless but it teaches you to be logic, to be a good debugger, to do good things... it educates you. I don't know, I think, like the Physics' said, I have some respect for this certification and I think there is a reason for this, right? You don't just get into a bar and get respect.

it teaches you to be logic, to be a good debugger,

Practice and experience will teach you to be logical and making mistakes and rectifying them will teach you how to debug.

I have some respect for this certification and I think there is a reason for this, right?

If it came from a recognised body of examiners that you had attained a certain level of of knowledge, maybe.
Examinations test your knowledge not your abilities.

I have qualifications and certifications that would allow me to have "letters behind my name", but they do not mean I am better at that particular discipline than somebody who has spent a few years actually "practising" it.
They simply mean that at the time of the examination I was capable of recalling the answers to a series of questions that were designed to test my knowledge rather than my ability.

ZEND certificates are the same as Microsoft certification or CISCO certs insofar as you know what buttons to click, but if something "broke" or had an "undocumented feature" you would be left staring at a bit of hardware that wasn't doing anything.