How I would Learn DevOps from SCRATCH (if I could START OVER in 2024 )

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide on how to start a career in DevOps, whether you're a beginner or experienced. The speaker provides a step-by-step approach, beginning with operating systems, shell scripting, programming languages like Java, and progressing to automation, cloud services, and DevOps tools like Jenkins, GitHub, and AWS. Emphasizing a hands-on, problem-solving approach, the video encourages learning by doing and public sharing of progress. A structured 6-9 month roadmap is outlined to help learners master DevOps and prepare for job interviews.

Takeaways

• 😀 Starting with zero knowledge of computer science? Begin by learning the basics of operating systems, focusing on Windows and Unix.
• 📚 Break down your learning into small, manageable steps based on problem statements rather than following a rigid syllabus.
• 🚀 Learn by doing: Begin implementing projects immediately and learn through trial and error.
• 💻 Focus on mastering essential DevOps tools and technologies such as shell scripting, Java programming, Git, and Jenkins.
• 🌐 Move from manual setups to automated processes using tools like Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment.
• ☁️ Learn about cloud services, starting with setting up environments in AWS using EC2 instances and tools like SonarQube.
• 🔄 Practice infrastructure as code using tools like Ansible or Terraform to automate your cloud infrastructure setup.
• 📦 Dive into Docker containers and Kubernetes to manage and scale applications efficiently in a cloud-native way.
• 🧩 Expand your knowledge by mastering additional DevOps tools from the periodic table of DevOps, ensuring you know at least one or two tools per category.
• 🧠 Use the KSM framework (Knowledge, Skill, Mastery) to keep yourself updated, distinguishing between high-level knowledge, in-depth skills, and areas of mastery.

Q & A

What is the traditional approach to learning software engineering, and why is it considered problematic for DevOps?

The traditional approach involves following a syllabus, studying chapters in sequence, and doing practical work after learning. It is considered too slow and intimidating for DevOps because the field has a vast scope, and learners might feel lost without tangible results in the early stages, leading to frustration.

What is the alternative learning approach recommended in the video for DevOps?

The recommended approach is 'learning by doing.' This involves starting with a problem to solve, breaking it down into smaller tasks, learning about each task as needed, and implementing it. This iterative process allows for practical learning and continuous progress.

What are the prerequisites for learning DevOps according to the speaker?

The prerequisites include gaining a basic understanding of operating systems (Windows and Unix), learning shell scripting, and picking up a programming language (Java is recommended). Additionally, learning Git for version control is essential before diving into more advanced DevOps topics.

Why does the speaker recommend learning Java as a programming language for DevOps?

Java is recommended because it helps build strong programming fundamentals and has extensive learning resources available. Learning Java prepares you to write a full web application, which is essential for DevOps tasks like deployment and automation.

What is the role of Jenkins in the DevOps learning path described?

Jenkins is used for setting up automation pipelines. After building a web app and deploying it manually, learners are advised to set up Jenkins to automate the process of building, testing, and deploying code, which is a crucial part of DevOps.

How does the speaker recommend transitioning from a local environment to a cloud environment in DevOps?

The speaker recommends replicating the local setup (Jenkins, Tomcat, etc.) in the cloud using AWS services like EC2 instances. Eventually, learners are advised to use AWS native services (CodeCommit, CodePipeline, CodeDeploy) to replace manual setups.

What is the importance of learning containers and Kubernetes in DevOps?

Containers, such as Docker, allow for consistent application deployment across different environments. Kubernetes is important for managing containerized applications at scale. Learning these tools is crucial as many modern cloud setups rely on containers and container orchestration for scalability and flexibility.

What is 'infrastructure as code' and how is it incorporated into the DevOps learning path?

Infrastructure as code (IaC) refers to managing and provisioning computing infrastructure through machine-readable scripts, rather than manual setup. Tools like Ansible or Terraform are used to automate infrastructure deployment, which learners are encouraged to practice after learning cloud basics.

What is the 'DevOps periodic table' mentioned in the video, and how should it be used?

The 'DevOps periodic table' is a resource that categorizes popular DevOps tools by their function. Learners are encouraged to use it to explore different DevOps categories and ensure they are familiar with at least one tool in each category to broaden their knowledge.

What is the KSM (Knowledge, Skill, Mastery) framework mentioned, and how can it help in learning DevOps?

The KSM framework is a method for managing knowledge acquisition. 'Knowledge' refers to a broad understanding of many topics, 'skill' refers to deeper learning in a select few, and 'mastery' is reserved for just one or two topics. This framework helps learners prioritize their focus in the vast field of DevOps.