AWS CloudFormation Templates: Getting Started from Pluralsight

As your cloud applications grow, maintaining your infrastructure becomes more complicated. AWS CloudFormation offers a way to reduce this complexity. This course will teach you how to describe your infrastructure using AWS CloudFormation templates.

Codifying your infrastructure allows you to treat it as code, offering you a single source of truth and allowing you to automate the deployment of your infrastructure. In this course, AWS CloudFormation Templates: Getting Started, you’ll learn how to create CloudFormation templates. First, you’ll explore how to create resources. Next, you’ll discover how to use parameters and output. Finally, you’ll learn how to define mappings. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of CloudFormation templates needed to create templates for your own infrastructure.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Introducing CloudFormation Templates

Creating a CloudFormation Template

Expanding a CloudFormation Template

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

This course gives learners the ability to codify their infrastructure, allowing for easier management using automation

Taught by James Millar - an experienced instructor in the industry

Develops skills in creating CloudFormation templates, which are essential for automating infrastructure deployment

Explores parameters and output, which are key concepts in CloudFormation template creation

Covers mappings, which are useful for organizing and reusing resources in CloudFormation templates

Appropriate for those with prior experience in cloud infrastructure and AWS

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 AWS CloudFormation Templates: Getting Started with these activities:

Review cloud computing terminology

Show steps

Review common cloud computing terms and concepts to strengthen your foundational understanding.

Show steps

Compile a list of key cloud computing terms and their definitions.
Review online resources or reference materials for explanations.
Discuss cloud terminology with peers or instructors.

Create a basic CloudFormation template

Show steps

Build a simple CloudFormation template to understand its structure and syntax.

Show steps

Follow a guided tutorial on creating a CloudFormation template.
Review the template's structure, including resources, parameters, and mappings.
Test the template by deploying it to your AWS account.

Solve AWS Certification practice questions on CloudFormation

Show steps

Test your understanding of CloudFormation concepts by solving practice questions related to the AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam.

Show steps

Find practice questions from official AWS sources or third-party platforms.
Attempt to solve the questions independently.
Review your answers and identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Develop a CloudFormation template for a web application

Show steps

Build a CloudFormation template to provision a complete web application, including resources like EC2 instances, databases, and security groups.

Show steps

Design the infrastructure for the web application.
Create a CloudFormation template using the AWS console or a text editor.
Test the template and deploy it to your AWS account.

Write a blog post or article on best practices for using CloudFormation

Show steps

Share your knowledge and experience with CloudFormation by creating a written resource that benefits the community.

Show steps

Identify a topic related to CloudFormation best practices.
Research and gather information from reliable sources.
Write the blog post or article, including clear examples and explanations.
Publish your content on a relevant platform.

Provide mentorship or support to other students learning AWS CloudFormation

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of CloudFormation while helping others succeed in their learning journey.

Show steps

Join online forums or communities where students discuss CloudFormation.
Offer assistance and guidance to others who have questions or challenges.
Create or contribute to study materials or resources for beginners.

Contribute to an open-source CloudFormation project

Show steps

Deepen your knowledge and make a meaningful contribution to the CloudFormation ecosystem by participating in open-source initiatives.

Show steps

Find an open-source CloudFormation project aligned with your interests.
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
Identify a way to contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.
Submit a pull request or issue to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete AWS CloudFormation Templates: Getting Started will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer designs, builds, and maintains cloud computing systems for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based infrastructure. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Cloud Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer combines software development and IT operations to improve the efficiency and quality of software delivery. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to automate the deployment and management of software applications. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective DevOps Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Systems Engineer

A Systems Engineer designs, builds, and maintains complex computer systems. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based infrastructure. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Systems Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect designs and manages cloud computing systems for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based infrastructure. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Cloud Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based infrastructure. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

IT Manager

An IT Manager plans, implements, and maintains computer systems for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based infrastructure. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective IT Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator designs, builds, and maintains databases for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based databases. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Database Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Network Engineer

A Network Engineer designs, builds, and maintains computer networks for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based networks. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Network Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains security systems for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based security systems. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Security Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to help businesses and organizations make better decisions. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based data analytics systems. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business processes and systems to identify opportunities for improvement. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based business systems. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and controls projects for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based project management systems. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager plans, develops, and markets products for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based products. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Product Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and maintains technical documentation for businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to create and manage cloud-based documentation. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Customer Support Engineer

A Customer Support Engineer provides technical support to customers of cloud computing platforms, such as AWS. They use their knowledge of cloud computing technologies, such as AWS CloudFormation, to help customers create and manage cloud-based applications. This course can help you build a foundation in AWS CloudFormation templates, which are used to describe and provision cloud resources. By learning how to create and use CloudFormation templates, you can become a more effective Customer Support Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Support Engineer

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in AWS CloudFormation Templates: Getting Started.