A Complete DevOps Roadmap to Get You Started

DevOps has been one of the most pinnacle practices for modern software development in recent years. What it is is a movement, a bunch of practices and cultural shifts to unify and automate the work of software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). The whole idea behind DevOps is to reduce the lifecycle of development, increase deployment frequency, and establish high-quality software continuously, which also enhances cooperation among the development operations team. This article dives into a step-by-step reload as a proficient DevOps engineer and what tools, technologies and concepts that are needed in the DevOps ecosystem.

What is a DevOps Engineer?

A DevOps Engineer is an IT professional who seeks to make the process of shifting from one software release to another more efficient by separating and eradicating various channels of communication between development and operation teams by automating various processes. The main goal of a DevOps Engineer is, therefore, to reduce the application gap between the side that is developing the source code and the side that is engaging in operations in an effort to enhance the performance, speed and efficiency of a project that is developed, tested and deployed as well as maintaining of source code.

We cannot build a great building with weak foundations. So, If you want to excel and build a career as a DevOps Engineer. You must first understand the fundamentals of computer science and how everything works.  It is good if you have a Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science. Information technology, Engineering or related fields are commonly expected.  If you are a self-taught developer or someone switching to IT, you should focus on some technical subjects as

• Operating System
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Computer Networks
• Distributed Systems (Advanced)

Steps to Become a DevOps Engineer

DevOps lifecycle must be understood by a DevOps Engineer since the main areas covered are automation and monitoring. Training to achieve mastery of the essential competencies in this position is perfectly described in this guide available here.

With this DevOps roadmap, you will walk through a set-out structure of learning levels that will ensure that you graduate from the basic level to the advanced level. As you follow along with the course, you establish enough fundamentals about DevOps, both conceptually and tool-wise, to train yourself into a highly competent DevOps Engineer within a reasonable time frame. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Select a Programming Language

As a Developer, it is advisable that you be professional with one programming language that you can use when working on automation scripts. Several programming languages used in DevOps include Python, Go(), and JavaScript.

Python is among the most useful programming languages. It’s merely an interpreted language; code is run straight upon being typed, and the syntax permits writing source code in a variety of modes. Due to its emphasis on clarity, coherence, and use, Python is often suggested as the first language new source coders should master. The languages for DevOps are Python, Go, and JavaScript.

Python is a versatile programming language. It is an interpreted language, meaning code is executed as soon as it is written. The syntax allows for writing source code in different ways. Because of its focus on readability, consistency, and ease of use, Python is frequently recommended as the first language new source coders should learn.

Step 2: Basics of Operating System (OS)

DevOps engineers also must know about the Operating System concept. It is a foundation for “how software interacts with hardware and how a computer system manages resources like memory, CPU, devices, and storage. The OS provides an environment for applications to run while managing and allocating resources efficiently.” Some essential OS concepts are important to understand how modern operating systems function.

• Process Management: A process is a program in execution, and process management is one of the core functions of an OS. It includes creating, scheduling, and terminating processes.

• Memory Management: Memory management is the process of controlling and coordinating computer memory, ensuring that each process has enough memory space without interfering with others.

• File System Management: A file system is responsible for storing, organising and managing files on storage devices. The OS provides an abstraction layer to interact with files and directories.

• Device Management: The Operating System also manages the various input/output devices (like hard drives, keyboards, and printers). Device management ensures efficient and secure access to hardware components.

Step 3: Learn the Linux Operating System

It is essential to recognise that the terminal and its command belong to DevOps engineers. For the most part, it is desirable to have a great deal of familiarity with Command Line based Operating Systems, and when one says Command Line, nothing else comes to anyone’s mind than Linux.  Linux is an open operating system that would be required for working together, integrating and optimizing the development of the software and the management of the IT division.

The key concept regarding the Linux Operating System.

• Command Line
• Bash and Shell Scripting
• Package Management
• Networking Tools
• Security Concepts

Step 4: Version Control System and Hosting

In our DevOps journey, we now have to learn about Source Code Management (SCM). SCM plays a critical role as it allows us to control and track changes through a VCS (Version Control System). We suggest you get hands-on with Git and Github as VCS. The primary functions include SCM.

• Version Control: Tracking changes made to source code, configuration files, and other project components.

• Change Management: SCM ensures that changes are reviewed, tested, and implemented in a controlled manner.

• Build Management: It ensures that software can be consistently built and reproduced from any point in the version history.

• Release Management: It manages the deployment of software versions to different environments (e.g. development, staging, and production).

Step 5: Learn about the Cloud Providers

After learning all the basics, Now you have to be familiar with your working environment or you can say that the workspace for DevOps Engineers. Cloud Computing is a natural part of the learning process for DevOps, and vice versa, where DevOps incorporates Cloud Computing Platforms like AWS.g has an inevitable role in the journey of learning  DevOps, and DevOps often relies on Cloud Computing Platforms such as AWS (Amazon Web Services). Microsoft Azure with DevOps. Such as GCP (Google Cloud Platform), etc.  We should get to know the most popular Cloud computing platform in detail.

Step 6: Learn Containerization -Docker

Now, you should learn Docker. Docker is a platform for building development-based application deployment automation on a lightweight, portable, and self-contained container. Containers are open source on which applications can run consistently through different environments, such as a developer’s machine, testing environment, or production servers. Docker is quite simple for application dependencies management and provides tools to build, ship, and run the application.

Step 7: Learn Kubernetes

Another of those open-source platforms helps us automate the deployment and management of large-scale applications. It is an important step on the DevOps engineer journey. This helps to scale up the application and helps us automate the whole process from scratch to end. This has been developed by Google and is now being maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). Kubernetes offers a solid, full-featured system for container (e.g. Docker container) management and deployment for high availability, scalability and fault tolerance.

Also Read: Docker and Kubernetes

Career Opportunities with DevOps Skills

The application of DevOps practices, including continuous integration, Continuous delivery, and automation, makes it possible for skilled practitioners to find employment in numerous organization sectors in the hiring economy. Since the adoption of DevOps process models as an effective approach for business organizations towards enhancing and speeding up the processes of software development and infrastructure modernisation, there has been an increasing demand for individuals skilled in DevOps. There are some popular career opportunities you will get after learning DevOps skills.

• DevOps Engineer
• Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
• Cloud Engineer
• System Administration
• Software Developer
• Test Automation Engineer
• Network Engineer

Tips for Aspiring DevOps Engineers

To become a DevOps engineer, a number of technical competencies, tools and best practices have to be learned and internalized to ‘get a feel for’ the job. The first touch point is an appreciation of the DevOps culture, the integration of dev and operations teams in combination to help create flow within an organization, increase automation, and deliver fantastic software as quickly as possible. DevOps is not a tool or methodology but a culture that is centered on collaboration, applying Agile principles, and working as a collective team to take applications from design through development to deployment.

As a DevOps engineer, it means that one must be well equipped with the core development competencies to be effective. I am also a programmer familiar with programming languages like Python, Go, and Ruby, which are often useful in tasks such as automation scripts in deployment and configuration. Knowledge of version control tools such as Git is useful since you will be handling changes to code, handling branches and dealing with code from developers from version control repositories.

Also Read: Top DevOps Interview Questions with Answers

Conclusion

The DevOps roadmap is the framework or plan which is followed by the individuals, in order to attain the necessary skill and knowledge, which helps the software development teams to communicate with the IT operation departments. When you explain every stage and make progress from the basic level, then intermediate and advanced levels to become a master in DevOps engineering, then you can work as a master in developing quality software at faster rates.

It is important to realize that DevOps is not equal to tools. It is all about creating a culture of cooperation, use of technology, and optimisation. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or you have some experience – to make it, you have to accept one crucial rule – the only constant in the world is changing, and the only way to adapt to it is to be curious and keep learning. If you’re interested in learning DevOps, consider pursuing the Certificate Program in DevOps & Cloud Engineering offered in collaboration with Microsoft.