Introduction to Azure for Developers

What if I have a Mac or Linux computer?

This workshop is designed for Windows-based computers. If you have a Mac or Linux computer, you should be able to complete most of the exercises, but we cannot guarantee full compatibility. Please note that technical support for Mac or Linux setups is not available.

A prepared virtual Windows machine with all the required software pre-installed can be provided for an additional fee.

Is There any Programming involved?

No, this workshop does not require specific application programming. The focus is on understanding and working with Azure Cloud from a developer’s perspective, not developing applications with specific frameworks or platforms. This allows developers to participate in any language or platform and helps us concentrate on Azure and its interactions.

Some exercises may involve running local applications using C# and .NET 9. However, prior knowledge of C# is unnecessary to complete these exercises.

What do I need to do before the workshop?

Before the workshop, you will receive a detailed setup document containing a step-by-step guide on what to install and prepare. You must ensure that tools such as Docker Desktop, Visual Studio Code, PowerShell 7 (Core), Azure CLI, and more are installed and ready to use. A prepared virtual machine with all the required software pre-installed can be provided for an additional fee.

Do I need an Azure account?

Yes, you need to have your own personal or work Azure account. You can register for a free trial or choose a pay-as-you-go account here. 

Your account must have full access and permissions to create resources within your current subscription and some interaction with Entra ID, like creating App Registrations. The instructor cannot provide you with an account to use. Depending on your account type, creating the various Azure resources used in this workshop may involve some costs. However, these costs should be minimal.

I am studying for the AZ-204 cert; is this workshop for me?

This workshop was designed with the AZ-204 certification in mind. However, AZ-204 is a comprehensive certification that spans many areas, and covering all topics in just a few days would only allow for brief overviews of each service.

To truly prepare for the certification, you need more in-depth knowledge and experience than what is provided in the free MS Learn material. In this workshop, we have focused more deeply on a few core services, providing a solid foundation and practical understanding, rather than trying to cover every aspect of AZ-204. This workshop is an excellent way to accelerate your certification study.

I am not studying for any certification; is this workshop for me?

Yes, this workshop is also designed for participants who want to learn Azure from a developer’s perspective, even if they do not have certification goals. It provides practical knowledge and experience with Azure’s key services, making it suitable for any developer looking to enhance their cloud skills.

What certifications does the instructor have?

The instructor has earned the AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate certification, and you can view his certification transcript here. In addition, he has over 14 years of professional experience teaching developers

Should I take the AZ-900 cert before I take AZ-204?

You do not need to take the AZ-900 certification before pursuing the AZ-204, but it can still be valuable because:

• It provides a high-level overview of Azure, including its goals, benefits, and services.
• It familiarizes you with the Microsoft Learn material and practice tests.
• It gives you a sense of the certification process and exam format.

Read more about the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification here

We highly recommend John Savill’s free AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification course, which covers most of what you need to pass the certification.

How Does This Workshop Compare to the Official Microsoft AZ-204 Course?

The official Microsoft course, Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure [AZ-204T00], is a broad overview that attempts to cover a wide range of Azure services and features in a short time. While valuable, this approach often results in a shallower understanding due to the necessity of addressing many topics at once. In contrast, our workshop narrows the focus to a few key Azure services and concepts, allowing us to go much deeper in both theory and hands-on exercises. By doing so, we help participants gain a stronger and more practical understanding of those selected areas, making the learning experience more impactful and directly applicable to real-world development scenarios.

What is the Cloud Debugger?

The Cloud Debugger is an open-source tool for Azure developers to explore, learn, and troubleshoot their cloud environments. It was developed by Tore Nestenius, the workshop’s instructor and creator, to provide an effective exercise tool while preparing for the AZ-204 certification.

Whether preparing for certification, improving your debugging process, or expanding your knowledge of Azure, the Cloud Debugger offers over 30 specialized tools that make Azure more accessible. These tools support interaction with Azure services, including HTTP request diagnostics, App Service exploration, storage management, and identity features.

The full source code is available on GitHub, allowing you to explore how it performs its various operations and even contribute to its development.

Read more about it in this blog post: Introducing the Cloud Debugger for Azure