4 Projects to Learn Cloud Engineering

Summary

In this video, the speaker recommends four essential projects for aspiring Junior Cloud Engineers. These projects are designed to build foundational skills in cloud engineering, from Bash scripting and API development to serverless functions, cloud infrastructure, and DevOps practices. The projects include a Cloud Uploader CLI, a Serverless Movies API, the Cloud Resume Challenge, and a DevOps-focused application. Each project is accompanied by guidelines and documentation to help learners develop hands-on experience. The video emphasizes the importance of GitHub, continuous learning, and community support for career growth in cloud engineering.

Takeaways

• 😀 The four recommended projects for aspiring Junior Cloud Engineers are: Cloud Uploader CLI, Serverless Movies API, Cloud Resume Challenge, and a DevOps Project.
• 😀 The projects are laid out in a specific order, but can be tackled in any sequence based on individual preference. However, the suggested order helps build foundational skills gradually.
• 😀 The first project, Cloud Uploader CLI, focuses on building a simple Bash-based command-line tool for uploading files to the cloud, with an emphasis on GitHub usage and documentation.
• 😀 Bash and Linux skills are crucial for cloud engineers. If you're new to these areas, the book *Linux Basics for Hackers* is recommended as a valuable resource.
• 😀 The second project, Serverless Movies API, teaches cloud services integration and API development, with a focus on serverless functions, CI/CD, monitoring, and infrastructure-as-code (IaC).
• 😀 Working with APIs and cloud services like databases and object storage is a must for cloud engineers. A strong understanding of these tools opens up many possibilities.
• 😀 The third project, Cloud Resume Challenge, is more complex and involves hands-on networking tasks like setting up a domain and front-end services, ideal for building a comprehensive cloud project.
• 😀 The fourth project focuses on DevOps practices—containerizing an existing app, building a CI/CD pipeline, managing Kubernetes deployments, and monitoring applications.
• 😀 Documenting projects on GitHub is essential, and adding blog posts or videos that summarize your learning can enhance your understanding and make your work more visible.
• 😀 If you get stuck during any project, use resources like ChatGPT for assistance, and join the Learn to Cloud Discord community for support and feedback from others working on similar projects.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the four projects recommended in the video?

The four projects are designed to provide aspiring Junior Cloud Engineers with practical, hands-on experience in different areas of cloud engineering. They cover key topics like Linux, cloud APIs, serverless functions, DevOps practices, and more, with increasing complexity to help build foundational skills for a cloud engineering role.

What is the first project, and why is it important for beginners?

The first project is to create a bash-based CLI tool for uploading files. It's important because it introduces beginners to Linux and Bash scripting, GitHub usage, and file handling. This simple project helps lay the foundation for more complex cloud-related tasks and is essential for learning how to work with the cloud environment.

What are some advanced features that can be added to the Cloud Uploader CLI tool?

Advanced features that can be added include a progress bar for file uploads, support for uploading multiple files, and customization of terminal features. These features help improve the user experience and introduce new programming concepts like iteration and terminal customization.

How does the second project, the Serverless Movies API, build on the skills learned in the first project?

The Serverless Movies API project builds on the first by introducing API development, serverless architecture, and working with cloud services like databases. While the first project focuses on scripting, the second introduces more complex cloud concepts such as serverless functions and data management.

Why is API development emphasized in the second project?

API development is emphasized because it is a crucial skill for cloud engineers. APIs are the backbone of cloud services, and understanding how to create, manage, and interact with APIs unlocks many possibilities, such as integrating with other cloud tools and services like databases and object storage.

What additional practices should be implemented in the second project for a more professional experience?

In the second project, additional practices like setting up a CI/CD pipeline, monitoring the application using tools like Grafana, and implementing infrastructure as code are recommended. These practices help simulate a real-world cloud engineering environment and provide exposure to DevOps practices.

What makes the Cloud Resume Challenge project more complex compared to the first two projects?

The Cloud Resume Challenge is more complex because it involves setting up a personal cloud-hosted website, including domain management, networking, and security. It also requires integrating multiple cloud services, such as DNS configuration, front-end routing, and more, providing hands-on experience with complex cloud infrastructure.

How much time should beginners expect to spend on the Cloud Resume Challenge project?

Beginners should expect to spend around a month or more on the Cloud Resume Challenge, depending on their experience level. This project is more involved due to the networking and infrastructure tasks required, making it a great learning experience for beginners to intermediate-level cloud engineers.

What is the focus of the final project related to DevOps?

The final project focuses on implementing DevOps best practices by containerizing an application, setting up a CI/CD pipeline, and managing deployment with Kubernetes. The goal is to gain hands-on experience with modern DevOps tools and workflows, essential skills for cloud engineers working with containerized applications and continuous delivery systems.

How should learners document and share their projects to enhance their learning experience?

Learners should document their projects on GitHub, ensuring clear readme files, proper version control, and structured project documentation. Additionally, creating blog posts, videos, or other content to synthesize their work helps reinforce their understanding and provides a platform for networking and showcasing skills.