Microservices and Serverless from edX

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The emergence of cloud computing has brought about a lot of changes to modern software development. Rather than large annual releases on physical mediums like CDs, modern software is increasingly released on the cloud, provided cost reduction, decreased time to market, and increased agility. These changes allow organizations to keep pace with their competitors and bring new innovations to market in ways that previously would have been unthinkable.

Rather than building large applications, known as monoliths, that perform all the functionality, microservices break down larger applications into smaller pieces that are independently maintainable and scalable, providing a host of benefits. This architecture is used at the largest software organizations in the world, because it provides cost benefits, team autonomy, and so many other advantages.

By the end of this course, you will

Have a solid foundation for microservices and serverless
Deploy microservices on the cloud
Integrate microservices with serverless compute

This course will introduce you to 12-factor apps and microservices, concepts that emerged to help organizations work better and faster in a cloud-native manner. You’ll then learn about serverless computing—how it works, what value it brings, and what are specific serverless technologies. You’ll get hands-on with IBM Cloud Functions, a serverless platform on IBM Cloud that lets you develop serverless apps with ease. Finally, you will learn to build and deploy applications using container images on the code engine.

The course contains several hands-on labs which allow you to apply the content you learn.

The prerequisites for this course include basic computer and cloud literacy as well as an understanding of core cloud concepts. In addition, understanding of the command line and how to use shell commands will greatly benefit you during this course.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Identify the twelve factors and describe how they map to the software delivery lifecycle
Create and test swagger documentation for rest api endpoints

Create and test a serverless function
Build and deploy applications using container images on the code engine

Identify the twelve factors and describe how they map to the software delivery lifecycle
Create and test swagger documentation for rest api endpoints
Create and test a serverless function
Build and deploy applications using container images on the code engine

Syllabus

Welcome

Reading: Welcome to Microservices and Serverless

Reading: General Information

Reading: Learning Objectives and Syllabus

Reading: Grading Scheme

Video: Course Introduction

Module 1: Introduction to MicroServices

Reading: Module Introduction and Learning Objectives

Video: Twelve-Factor App Methodology

Video: What are Microservices?

Video: Comparison of Monolith vs SOA vs Microservices

Video: Microservices Patterns

Reading: Microservices Anti-Patterns

Hands-on Activity: Modernize JPetStore with Microservices

Reading: Summary and Highlights

Practice Quiz: Introduction to Microservices

Graded Quiz: Introduction to Microservices

Reading: Module 1 Glossary - Introduction to Microservices

Module 2: Web API Essentials: REST API and GraphQL

Video: What is REST

Video: Introduction to API Gateway

Video: Creating REST APIs

Hands-on Lab: Creating a HELLO WORLD REST API with Python & Flask

Video: Making API Requests using cURL and Postman

Hands-on Lab: CRUD Operations with Python

Video: Documenting and Testing REST API Swagger

Hands-on Lab: Documenting and Testing REST API Swagger

Hands-on Lab: Optional - Querying with GraphQL

Reading: Module 2 Glossary - Web API Essentials REST

Practice Quiz: Web API Essentials - REST API and GraphQL

Graded Quiz: Web API Essentials - REST API and GraphQL (10 Questions)

Module 3: Serverless Overview

Video: Introduction to Serverless Computing

Video: Serverless Pros and Cons

Video: Introduction to the FaaS Model

Video: The Serverless Framework

Video: Serverless Reference Architecture and Use Cases

Video: Popular Serverless Platforms

Reading: AWS Lambda

Hands-on Lab: Optional - Signing up for an AWS Account

Hands-on Lab: Optional - Creating an AWS Lambda

Reading: Module 3 Glossary - Serverless Overview

Practice Quiz: Serverless Overview

Graded Quiz: Serverless Overview (10 Questions)

Module 4: Create and Deploy Microservices using Serverless

Video: IBM Cloud Code Engine

Video: Project, Application, Build, and Jobs

Hands-on Lab: Deploying your first application on Code Engine

Video: Building Container Images for Microservices

Video: Deploying and Running Applications

Hands-on Lab: Deploying your first Docker image on Code Engine

Video: Updating Deployed Applications

Hands-on Lab: Deploy, Update, and Scale Microservices using Serverless

Graded Quiz: Create and Deploy Microservices (10 Questions)

Reading: Module 4 Glossary - Create and Deploy Microservices

Practice Quiz: Create and Deploy Microservices

Final Assignment:

Final Project Overview and Grading Criteria

Final Project: Serverless Web Application and API

Peer-Graded Final Assignment: Serverless Web Application and API

Module 5: [Optional] OpenShift Essentials/Working with OpenShift and Istio

Reading: Module Introduction

Video: OpenShift Recap

Video: Service Mesh and Istio

Video: Microservices with OpenShift

Video: Red Hat Marketplace

Hands-on Lab: OpenShift

Practice Quiz

Practice Quiz: OpenShift Essentials/Working with OpenShift and Istio

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops concepts and practices that are industry standard

Examines microservices, which is highly relevant to software delivery

Teaches serverless computing, which is an in-demand skill in industry

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in software delivery

Optional module explores OpenShift and Istio

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 Microservices and Serverless with these activities:

Review API gateway architectures

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Review how API Gateway is used to manage and secure REST APIs and GraphQL queries

Browse courses on API Gateway

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Read about API Gateway architecture
Review REST API design patterns and best practices
Experiment with a simple REST API using API Gateway

Design a simple Microservices Architecture

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Design a simple microservices architecture for a given scenario, considering factors such as domain decomposition and service boundaries

Browse courses on Microservices Design Patterns

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Identify the different components of the system
Decompose the system into microservices
Design the communication protocols between the microservices
Create a deployment plan for the microservices

Practice deploying microservices on the IBM Cloud

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Practice deploying microservices on the IBM Cloud using Code Engine or Kubernetes Service

Browse courses on IBM Cloud

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Create an IBM Cloud account
Create a Code Engine or Kubernetes Service cluster
Deploy a microservice to the cluster
Test the deployed microservice

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Microservices and Serverless will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

Software Developers build and maintain software applications. They are responsible for the entire software development lifecycle, from design and development to testing and deployment. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern software development. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based applications, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any software development team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for designing and building data pipelines. They are responsible for ensuring that data is accurate, consistent, and accessible. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern data engineering. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based data pipelines, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any data engineering team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Site Reliability Engineer

Site Reliability Engineers are responsible for ensuring that websites and applications are reliable and scalable. They are responsible for monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving issues with websites and applications. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern site reliability engineering. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based websites and applications, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any site reliability engineering team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Site Reliability Engineer

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and implement cloud-based solutions. They are responsible for ensuring that cloud-based applications are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for cloud-based applications. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based applications, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any cloud architecture team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

AI Engineer

AI Engineers are responsible for designing and building AI-powered applications. They are responsible for ensuring that AI applications are accurate, reliable, and ethical. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern AI development. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based AI applications, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any AI engineering team.

See salaries and explore the career path for AI Engineer

Backend Developer

Backend Developers are responsible for designing and building the backend of web applications. They are responsible for ensuring that the backend is scalable, reliable, and secure. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern backend development. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based backend applications, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any backend development team.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers are responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. They are responsible for automating and streamlining the software development lifecycle, from design and development to testing and deployment. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern software development. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based applications, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any DevOps team.

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Full-Stack Developer

Full-Stack Developers are responsible for designing and building both the frontend and backend of web applications. They are responsible for ensuring that the web application is scalable, reliable, and secure. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern full-stack development. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based full-stack web applications, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any full-stack development team.

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Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining computer systems. They are responsible for ensuring that systems are up and running, and that they are secure. This course can help you build a solid foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern systems administration. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based systems, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge will make you a more valuable asset to any systems administration team.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating technical documentation. They are responsible for ensuring that technical documentation is accurate, clear, and concise. This course may help you build a foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern technical writing. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based technical documentation, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge may make you a more valuable asset to any technical writing team.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for understanding the business needs of an organization and translating those needs into technical requirements. This course may help you build a foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern business analysis. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based business solutions, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge may make you a more valuable asset to any business analysis team.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for managing the product development lifecycle. They are responsible for ensuring that products meet the needs of customers and that they are profitable. This course may help you build a foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern product development. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based products, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge may make you a more valuable asset to any product management team.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course may help you build a foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern project management. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based projects, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge may make you a more valuable asset to any project management team.

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Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers are responsible for designing and building the user interface of web applications. They are responsible for ensuring that the user interface is user-friendly, responsive, and accessible. This course may help you build a foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern front-end development. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based front-end applications, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge may make you a more valuable asset to any front-end development team.

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Quality Assurance Engineer

Quality Assurance Engineers are responsible for testing software applications to ensure that they are free of defects. They are responsible for identifying and fixing bugs in software applications. This course may help you build a foundation in microservices and serverless, which are essential technologies for modern quality assurance. You will learn how to design and implement microservices-based quality assurance tests, and how to integrate them with serverless functions. This knowledge may make you a more valuable asset to any quality assurance team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer