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How to Become a DevOps Engineer: Find Great DevOps Training



The question of how to become a DevOps Engineer will be much less complicated as soon as you learn all of the skills involved in the software development lifecycle. In creating software using this process, you will be balancing a workload of continuous integration, coding, and testing, all with the aim of rapidly developing a final product.

In this article, you will learn how development and operations teams work together to streamline software creation. Big data, collaboration, and automation tools all play a role in DevOps engineering. 

What Is a DevOps Engineer?

DevOps stands for development and operations. DevOps engineers have a deep understanding of the software development lifecycle and use the same tools that aspiring software engineers use to solve operations issues. 

In a DevOps job, you will frequently update code and test and deploy new software. DevOps engineers link their coding elements with libraries and software development kits, using the data management language SQL to test whether new software releases are running properly.

What Does a DevOps Engineer Do?

A DevOps engineer introduces new code, and makes necessary changes to improve the development process of a software product. The three main focuses of a DevOps Engineer are continuous development, continuous testing, and continuous delivery.

Development

During the development process, a DevOps engineer’s role is similar to that of an information technology project manager. They organize teams and collaborate throughout the development process. They will also offer expert knowledge on a variety of programming languages, such as Python, Ruby, Java, Shell, and Node.js. The engineer acts as a bridge between the development team and the operation team throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Testing

DevOps engineers create software tests using infrastructure automation tools. This allows the development process to go faster because the teams can focus on other areas while the DevOps engineer takes care of product testing.

Delivery

DevOps engineers should be aware of the goal of a project, and the deadline for its delivery. The DevOps engineer must make sure that the final product is bug-free and meets the client’s requirements.

Essential DevOps Engineer Skills

DevOps engineers must have a variety of managerial skills, soft skills, and technical skills. Below is a description of some of the most important skills. 

Programming

Along with in-depth knowledge of programming languages, a DevOps engineer must be able to debug code, resolve deployment errors, build tools to help with automation testing, and ensure that the entire project runs smoothly. 

Leading Agile Teams

As Agile project management methods have become more popular, it’s become even more important to learn these methods in addition to DevOps. This involves fostering seamless communication between many small teams involved in the software development process. As a leader, DevOps engineers must make sure that these times are well-organized and collaborating effectively.

Networks and Storage

DevOps engineers need to have a thorough understanding of networks and storage. They deal with servers, connections, big data, and data storage, and are consistently handling issues that arise in these areas.

They must have a wealth of knowledge in the APIs used to support the networks, as well as how to manage computer data centers using infrastructure as code.

Automation Tools

Automation is a huge part of DevOps. The most commonly used automation tools are Kubernetes, Puppet, and Jenkins.

Cloud

Cloud services and apps have become an important part of most businesses’ daily operations. Learning about how DevOps engineering works on the cloud could be an advantage. Begin by learning cloud computing platforms like Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, or OpenStack.

DevOps Engineer Salaries and Job Outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has no specific information on DevOps Engineer salaries yet, but software developers in similar roles make an average of $107,510 per year. A Grand View Research report predicts that the DevOps market size will reach $12.85 billion globally by 2025. So if you’re experienced in DevOps, you can expect to encounter many job opportunities in the near future.

How Long Does It Take to Become a DevOps Engineer?

Depending on your current skills, it typically takes six months of full-time studying to learn the foundations. This will vary depending on how much time you devote to studying, your coding abilities, and your experience with automation, networks, storage, and cloud platforms.

Training will be faster if you start with an intermediate knowledge of JavaScript, web development with HTML and CSS, object-oriented programming, and the Linux Command Line.

How to Become a DevOps Engineer: A Step-by-Step Guide

To simplify the learning process, we have created this guide to put you on the right track toward becoming a DevOps engineer. Follow these steps to learn coding, security, and testing, then finish the process by taking some of the best DevOps engineering certificate courses.

Step 1: Learn to Code

A DevOps engineer must learn many programming languages in order to create the software a client has requested. Don’t let the perception that coding is hard to learn scare you off, as there are now many easy ways to learn to code.

You can attend coding bootcamps, or take free coding courses. Some great places to look for courses to learn to code for free are Khan Academy and freeCodeCamp.

Step 2: Read Up on Networks and Storage

Learn in-depth about the hardware and software that comprise a network. To study networks, you might want to check out courses by Cisco and IBM, or free offerings on LinkedIn.

Step 3: Study Infrastructure Management

To understand infrastructure management, you will have to learn about systems management, storage management, and network management.

Step 4: Learn about Security and Testing

Beginners can head to CompTIA to get their Security+ certification courses. This CompTIA certification will prove your ability to perform IT security measures. Security is important if you want to create successful software programs as a DevOps engineer. To learn more about testing, you should take a specific DevOps engineering course.

Step 5: Do Some DevOps Training

Once you are up to speed on all the IT and programming essentials, it is time to look into DevOps courses. You can find some of the best options below. Be sure to look closely at the curriculum of each course to make sure it is in line with your future employment goals.

Required Education to Become a DevOps Engineer

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Becoming a DevOps engineer will be much easier if you have a formal education.



To become a DevOps engineer, you will typically need a degree in computer science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Recruiters will give preference to those who have a master’s degree in DevOps engineering, or high-level certifications showing their programming skills.  

The most common educational route is to start by completing an undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering, or information technology. A typical bachelor’s level curriculum should include courses on systems architecture, software development, and cloud architecture.

Best Programs and Courses to Become a DevOps Engineer

Best DevOps Engineer Certificates

Should You Become a DevOps Engineer in 2021?

If you have people skills and full-stack coding skills, becoming a DevOps engineer is right for you. It’s an exciting and growing field that will require you to continue learning new skills.

The future of DevOps is promising, as more companies are adopting these software development processes. Whether you are just beginning your DevOps journey or already have some experience, we suggest you keep learning to take your career to new heights.


DevOps Engineer FAQ

Do I need to learn cloud computing for DevOps?

This depends, but most employers are interested in incorporating cloud platforms into their businesses. Therefore, it would be wise to learn about how the role you are aiming for could incorporate cloud platforms.

How difficult is it to get certified?

This depends on your experience. If you have a limited background in DevOps, it can be extremely challenging. The best way to go about it is to sign up for some free courses to see whether DevOps practices come naturally to you.

What is the best programming language for a DevOps engineer?

Python is a fantastic starting language for a DevOps engineer. It is also among the easiest programming languages to learn. Ideally, you should also have a working knowledge of Java, JavaScript, Bash, and Ruby. 

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