Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners from Udemy

Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, Tesla, Workday... what do all these great companies have in common?

They all use DevOps to continuously build and release software. (Don't take my word for it; stop reading now and go put "devops" into a LinkedIn job search.)

In this Azure DevOps Fundamentals course, Microsoft Certified Trainer and bestselling Udemy instructor Brian Culp guides students on a hands-on tour of Azure DevOps Microsoft's cloud-based, open-source tool to help organizations manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

Best of all, Brian understands that students taking a Fundamentals course may not yet be familiar with all the vocabulary. This course makes no assumptions about prior exposure to the overwhelming set of terms and technologies that are part of the DevOps landscape... terms like Agile, Scrum, VS Code, App Containers, Commits, Code Requests, Sprints, Unit Testing, Code Artifacts, and literally dozens of others that live at the place where your Development and Operations teams meet.

In Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners, we take one small step at a time in our journey. It's not a data dump. Instead, the course provides each building block the proper context at the time it's needed. In addition, you'll build your understanding with hands-on guidance using the essential Azure DevOps tools: Boards, Repos, Pipelines, and Test Plans.

Everything that needs a definition is defined along the way.

Brian has been teaching people about Microsoft solutions for over 15 years, and some of his courses have been selected by Microsoft as their official training for Office 365 Administrators. Now, he brings that same expertise to some of the highest-rated courses on Udemy.

There's a reason for the hundreds of five-star reviews.

"Excellent content. Just what I was looking for to enhance productivity at the office." -Paige Popejoy

"Great personality and explained things well. Felt like he was at my desk explaining it to me." -William Potts

"I can't believe how much I learned. The instructor is great and the lessons were so easy to follow." Sherie L.

"Very precise, clear and constructive." -Forent Sidler

"Perfect." -Yvonne Belo

Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners is perfect for IT professionals who have heard the term DevOps, but want some hands-on experience, or for project managers and product owners who want to better understand a CI/CD workflow used by development teams.

It's even great for the stone-cold noobs out there (we all are at one point, after all) who just want to be able to see if DevOps might be a good career fit.

You'll learn by watching and listening, but you'll also learn by doing. By the second lesson, you'll have configured your first DevOps organization. By the time you've finished, you'll have deployed an app into an Azure container, and will have gained additional confidence and expertise about topics like these:

Managing dev teams using Azure Boards
Mapping work items to your organization's Agile or Scrum processes
Setting up Git-based workflows in Azure Repos
Connecting to existing code repos in GitHub
Building code every time a commit is saved to a Master branch
Deploying a new code artifact when new builds are ready
Performing tests of code using Azure Test Plans
Plus confidence to integrate other tools (Docker, Maven, etc) into your team's DevOps implementation

Best of all, you become more valuable as companies all over the world scramble - and compete - for workers who understand DevOps. (You did do that LinkedIn search, correct?)

And as always, you get ongoing support. (Brian and the team answers all student questions, usually within one business day). Plus, you're always covered by Udemy's refund policy.

Enroll now, and discover where your own DevOps journey can lead. See you in class.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Create an azure devops organization
Align azure devops work items using agile, scrum, or basic work processes
Integrate an azure devops code repository with github
Fork and clone code using multiple tools

Understand the basic vocabulary of devops: what it is and why it matters
Ci/cd: understand how pipelines facilitate continuous implementation and continuous deployment
Commit code changes and track pull requests
Push a code repo from the command line of an integrated development environment (ide)

Create an azure devops organization
Align azure devops work items using agile, scrum, or basic work processes
Integrate an azure devops code repository with github
Fork and clone code using multiple tools
Understand the basic vocabulary of devops: what it is and why it matters
Ci/cd: understand how pipelines facilitate continuous implementation and continuous deployment
Commit code changes and track pull requests
Push a code repo from the command line of an integrated development environment (ide)

Syllabus

Azure DevOps for Absolute Beginners

Welcome and Course Overview

Hands On: Create an Azure DevOps Org

What is DevOps Anyway? (aka DevOps 101)

Why Should You Care about DevOps

Azure DevOps and Creating a Project

Use this short quiz to check whether you retained some of the concepts discussed in this section, or just skip it... either way, I prepared some review questions and they're here if you want. :)

DevOps 101 Recap

Configure Azure Boards

Azure Boards Overview

Azure Boards 101

Define Teams and Work Items

Define a Sprint

Define Features and Epics

Using Azure DevOps Boards with GitHub

The Right Board View for the Job (and Board Queries)

Azure Boards Review Quiz

Explore Azure Repositories

Azure Repos - Section Intro

Code Management with Azure Repos 101

Git vs. GitHub (in 5 min)

Create the Build Environment

For ease of deployment, use this URL when setting up the Flatris game repo: https://github.com/likeabosslearning/Flatris-LAB

You should be able to find it in GitHub's search, but GH search is notoriously sketch, as the kids say.

Commit Changes to Code

Perform a Pull Request

Some additional reading from Microsoft about their new Pull Request changes:

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/devops/introducing-the-new-pull-request-experience-for-azure-repos/

Work with Code Locally (part 1)

Work with Code Locally (part 2)

Understand and Manage Commit History

Clean Up Repos

Azure Repos Review Quiz

Build and Deploy Code with Azure Pipelines

Azure Pipelines - Section Intro

DevOps Pipelines 101

Manage Your Release Pipelines with Azure DevOps

Builds vs. Releases

Create a Build Pipeline

Create a GitHub Pipeline

Create a DevOps Release Pipeline

Couple of items for further study (and education):

What is the Babel JavaScript Compiler? https://babeljs.io/docs/en/

What is a Symbolic Link? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_link

What's that course you were talking about on Azure? <Udemy url with discount code>

Verify Results from Flatris Deploy

I'm leaving this up as the steps are still valid for deploying Flatris, but this lecture should no longer be necessary after watching the previous 3 lessons.

Automatic Deployment with a YAML File (How Easy a Deploy Can Be)

IMPORTANT: the choices in this MVC application will accrue costs (depending on the selected Azure tier, which defaults to Standard. Remember to clean up by deleting the Resource Group that contain the WepApp and SQL Server database.

Create an Azure Deployment Pipeline from the IDE

Azure Pipelines Review Quiz

Working with Test Plans and Extensions

Azure Test Plans Overview

Types of Tests

Create a Manual Test Plan

Run a URL Load Test

Conclusion

Let's create a CI/CD training pipeline together

Thanks and next steps!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores DevOps, which is standard in software engineering

Builds and deploys software, which are core DevOps skills

Designed for IT professionals, project managers, and product owners

Taught by Brian Culp, a recognized Microsoft Certified Trainer

Emphasizes hands-on learning with exercises using Azure DevOps tools

Provides ongoing support from the instructor and team

Reviews summary

Azure devops fundamentals for beginners

learners sayAzure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners is a great course for beginners looking to learn the basics of Azure DevOps. Coming in at ~3.5 hours long, the course is taught by Brian Culp and covers all the necessary fundamentals to get started. The course is largely a "click what the instructor clicks and hope it works for you" approach, but it is still a valuable resource for beginners. The course has been largely positively received, with students praising the instructor's clear explanations and the course's well-paced and organized structure. However, some students have reported that the course is a bit outdated and that some of the content is no longer accurate. Overall, Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners is a solid choice for beginners looking to learn the basics of Azure DevOps.

Provides opportunities for hands-on practice to reinforce concepts.

"Course has been very descriptive, to the point to begin with the Azure DevOps journey."

"Great Introduction to Devops, I love the way you change tones to stress what is important."

"The way you explain Azure DevOps with also briefly explaining the related component to it is nice."

"This is a great introduction to DevOps."

"Clearly structured introduction into DevOps."

Clear explanations and engaging presentation style.

"Brian is an amazing Instructor.I was learning DevOps for the first time and got to learn soo many new concepts with great ease because of his expertise in teaching."

"For me, this was a very good introduction to DevOps using Azure DevOps."

"Perhaps add another detailed section expanding on how one can setup a repo that runs in dev, promoted to uat, and then to prod (and the plumbing required in Azure), against different environments."

"This is a really great course to get hands on and understand the fundamentals on how Azure Devops works."

"Hats off Brian... Thankful for such a wonderful course that every beginner should have."

Comprehensive overview of Azure DevOps features and concepts, including repos, pipelines, and deployments.

"It helped me to understand the basic idea on what is devops and what are the options available on deployment stages."

"Es una buena eleccion para los que somos principiantes en el tema, ya que como conocimientos basicos te da un panorama de lo que puedes realizar en Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners"

"If it was a hands on with sample codes shared via GitHub or as a zip file it would been even better."

"I love this course as it was short and straight to the point."

"very clear presentation. well paced. appreciate the resources provided Moving a little too fast in Repos section for the absolute beginner but I am hanging in there with pause and replay."

Lacks in-depth exploration of certain topics, such as YAML files and advanced pipeline configurations.

"Brain's way of explaining concepts is simple and easy to understand."

"Yeah, he explains really well and I believe I have a better understanding now."

"Brian, you are an amazing instructor."

"Smooth and natural path."

"I think so, so far... I know so little about DevOps that it is good to just give me the idiot's version first, without making me feel like an idiot."

Some of the course material is outdated, including changes to the Azure DevOps user interface and functionality.

"Cannot complete course material by following steps exactly."

"Doing so results in errors that aren't addressed by course updates and there is no Q&A support despite the course being broken."

"If it was a hands on with sample codes shared via GitHub or as a zip file it would been even better."

"Hope your upcoming trainings you would include the required setup and code files along."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners with these activities:

Consolidate your course materials for easier review

Show steps

Stay organized and focused by compiling your course materials in one central location.

Browse courses on Azure DevOps

Show steps

Create a folder or digital notebook for all your course-related materials.
Regularly add lecture notes, assignments, and other resources to your compilation.
Use headings, subheadings, and tags to categorize and organize your materials for easy retrieval.

Connect with DevOps professionals

Show steps

Seek guidance and support from experienced professionals to enhance your learning journey.

Browse courses on DevOps

Show steps

Identify potential mentors through online platforms or professional networks.
Reach out to mentors and express your interest in connecting.
Set up regular meetings or video calls to discuss your progress and ask for advice.

Commit code changes and track Pull Requests

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of Git and version control through hands-on practice.

Browse courses on Git

Show steps

Create a GitHub or Azure DevOps account.
Fork a sample repository and make some changes.
Submit a Pull Request and review the changes.
Merge the changes back into the main repository.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Attend a DevOps meetup or conference

Show steps

Expand your network and learn from industry experts by attending DevOps events.

Browse courses on DevOps

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Find upcoming DevOps meetups or conferences in your area.
Register for the event and attend in person or virtually.
Engage with speakers, attendees, and vendors to exchange ideas and learn about industry trends.

Walkthrough of Azure DevOps Dashboard

Show steps

Immerse yourself in the DevOps environment by creating your own walkthrough.

Browse courses on Azure DevOps

Show steps

Log in to Azure DevOps.
Record a screencast of the Azure DevOps dashboard.
Walk through the main features and explain their functions.
Share your recording with classmates or the online community.

Build and deploy a basic web application using Azure DevOps

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of DevOps by applying it to a practical project.

Browse courses on Web Application

Show steps

Choose a simple web application tutorial.
Follow the tutorial to build and deploy the application using Azure DevOps.
Document the process and any challenges you encountered along the way.

Contribute to an open-source DevOps project

Show steps

Gain practical experience and demonstrate your skills by contributing to real-world projects.

Browse courses on DevOps

Show steps

Find an open-source DevOps project that aligns with your interests.
Identify a specific issue or feature to work on.
Follow the project's contribution guidelines and submit a pull request.
Collaborate with the project maintainers to refine and merge your contribution.

Career center

Learners who complete Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer is responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. They work to ensure that software is built, tested, and deployed efficiently and reliably. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful DevOps Engineer. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Software Development Engineer

A Software Development Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software applications. They work closely with other engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to ensure that software meets customer needs and business requirements. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Software Development Engineer. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Development Engineer

Software Architect

A Software Architect is responsible for designing and developing the architecture of software systems. They work with development teams to ensure that software is scalable, reliable, and maintainable. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Software Architect. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect is responsible for designing and implementing cloud-based solutions for businesses. They work with clients to understand their needs and develop solutions that are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Cloud Architect. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Release Manager

A Release Manager is responsible for planning and executing software releases. They work with developers and operations teams to ensure that software is released on time, within budget, and with minimal defects. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Release Manager. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Release Manager

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer is responsible for protecting software applications and systems from security threats. They work with development and operations teams to identify vulnerabilities, implement security measures, and respond to security incidents. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Security Engineer. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Infrastructure Engineer

An Infrastructure Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure that supports software applications. They work with developers and operations teams to ensure that infrastructure is scalable, reliable, and secure. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Infrastructure Engineer. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infrastructure Engineer

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with stakeholders to define project goals, develop project plans, and manage project budgets. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Project Manager. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst is responsible for testing software applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. They work with developers and operations teams to identify bugs and defects, and they develop and execute test plans. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Quality Assurance Analyst. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Test Engineer

A Test Engineer is responsible for testing software applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. They work with developers to identify bugs and defects, and they develop and execute test plans. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Test Engineer. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Test Engineer

Configuration Manager

A Configuration Manager is responsible for managing the configuration of software and systems. They work with developers and operations teams to ensure that software is configured correctly and that systems are running smoothly. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Configuration Manager. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Configuration Manager

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer is responsible for creating documentation for software applications and systems. They work with development and operations teams to ensure that documentation is accurate, clear, and concise. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Technical Writer. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for understanding business needs and translating them into technical requirements. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop solutions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Business Analyst. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines. They work with data scientists and analysts to ensure that data is clean, accurate, and accessible. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Data Engineer. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Product Owner

A Product Owner is responsible for defining and managing the product vision. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, prioritize features, and track progress. This course may be useful to you if you are interested in becoming a Product Owner. You will learn about Agile and Scrum processes, Git-based workflows, and how to use Azure DevOps to manage development teams, code, and application deployments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Owner