--- title: "Introduction to Azure for Developers" description: "In this 5-day hands-on workshop, developers learn App Service, Blob Storage, Entra ID and more on Azure, using my Cloud Debugger. It also helps with AZ-204." url: https://tn-data.se/courses/introduction-to-azure-for-developers-workshop/ type: workshop lang: en alternate: https://tn-data.se/sv/kurser/introduktion-till-azure-for-utvecklare.md site: https://tn-data.se/ image: https://tn-data.se/_astro/5.BGHZlcX4_273yk.webp --- # Introduction to Azure for Developers > The core Azure services developers use, learned in depth through nearly 200 hands-on exercises. No longer offered as a standard course. [Get in touch](https://tn-data.se/contact/) if you need training in this area. ## Workshop facts - **Duration:** 5 days - **Level:** Beginner - **Language:** English, Swedish This workshop is a practical introduction to building applications on Azure. It suits beginners, and it helps you whether you are preparing for the **AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate certification** or just want to build your cloud skills. It covers the Azure services you use to build applications, not network security, user management or day-to-day administration. Azure has hundreds of services. Instead of skimming as many of them as possible, we take a few core areas you are very likely to use and work with them in depth. The workshop mixes presentations, live demonstrations and nearly 200 hands-on exercises. Many of the exercises use the [Cloud Debugger](https://github.com/tndata/CloudDebugger), an open-source tool I built, so you can see what happens inside Azure. ### What You Will Learn - Organize resources with Azure Resource Manager and ARM Templates. - Deploy scalable applications with Azure App Services. - Store and manage data securely with Azure Blob Storage. - Troubleshoot applications with the Cloud Debugger. - Set up identity and access with Entra ID, Managed Identity and App Registrations. - Run containerized applications with Azure's container services. ### Who Is This Workshop For? Developers in any language or platform who want to learn Azure from a developer's point of view, for example if you: - are preparing for the AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate certification - want to grow your Azure skills - need a deeper understanding of how Azure works ### Prerequisites - Experience developing web applications, in any language - A good understanding of HTTP (verbs, headers), JSON and XML, and how the web and APIs work - Familiarity with the command line on Windows - No previous Azure experience It helps to have a general understanding of cloud computing and its benefits first. John Savill's free video series [AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlVtbbG169nED0_vMEniWBQjSoxTsBYS3) is a good starting point. ### Setup Requirements - A Windows computer, preferably with an Intel or AMD CPU, where you can install and run software. Most things work on a Mac or an ARM-based computer, but I may not be able to support them during class. - An Azure account, work or personal, with permission to create resources in a subscription. You can start with a [free trial](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account). - Visual Studio Code - .NET 10 SDK - Docker Desktop You get detailed setup instructions before the workshop. Some exercises run local applications in C# and .NET 10, but you don't need to know C#. For a small extra fee, I can provide a prepared virtual machine with everything installed. ### Workshop Agenda During the workshop, we cover the following topics. #### Introduction - Course Introduction - Certifications - The Cloud Debugger - Introduction to Azure - Subscriptions - Resource Groups - Azure Resource Manager - ARM Templates - Azure Cloud Shell - Virtual Machines - Quotas #### App Services - App Service Plans - App Services - HTTP & HTTPS - Kudu - Linux and Windows Logs - Environment Variables - App Settings - Connection Strings - Storage - Scaling up and out - Deployment slots #### Storage - Introduction - Creating a Storage Account - Blob Storage introduction - Accessing Blob Storage - Advanced SAS Tokens - Azure Storage Explorer - Hierarchical Namespace - Storage access tiers - Blob Versioning - Soft Delete #### Identity - Entra ID - Identities - App Registrations - Enterprise Applications - Token Credentials - Default Azure Credentials - Service Principals - Managed Identities - User Delegation SAS Tokens #### Logging and Observability - Log Analytics Workspace - Sending Data to our Workspace - Kusto Query Language - Observing our App Services - Azure Monitor - OpenTelemetry - Distributed Tracing - Application Insights - Instrumenting Applications #### Containers in Azure - Introduction to Containers - Creating a container - Azure Container Registry - Multi-stage Container Builds - Azure Container Instances - Deploying Containers to ACI For containers together with Kubernetes, see my one-day workshop [Introduction to Containers and Kubernetes](https://tn-data.se/courses/introduction-to-containers-and-kubernetes/). ### Estimated Time Per Section The workshop is about 35 hours of training, around seven hours a day. The time per section depends on the class, the discussions and the exercises, but roughly: - Introduction ~5 hours - App Services ~10 hours - Storage ~4 hours - Identity ~5 hours - Logging and Observability ~5 hours - Containers in Azure ~5 hours ![Tore Nestenius presenting at the .NET Skåne user group in Malmö, December 2024 about Rebuilding the Task and ThreadPool Concepts in .NET.](https://tn-data.se/_astro/PXL_20241211_184921017.MP_-scaled-e1768339866751-1010x1024.Bw4l8Dgi_Z2gPjI9.webp) ## Preparing for AZ-204 The workshop was designed with the AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate certification in mind. It does not cover every topic in the exam. Instead it goes deeper into its key areas, which speeds up your own studies for the certification. ![Tore Nestenius presenting about authentication at the Copenhagen .NET User Group](https://tn-data.se/_astro/IMG_2248_png-768x576.C4OeCfT0_Z1smfct.webp) ![I passed the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification (AZ-204)](https://tn-data.se/_astro/Final-Image-244x300.Bi9RGMtv_2mM6P4.webp) ### About the Trainer My name is [Tore Nestenius](https://tn-data.se/about/). I teach on-site and remotely, both directly for companies and through training companies in Europe. What I bring: - I have trained developers since 2010 and taught several hundred courses and talks. - I create, maintain and teach every course myself, and improve it after every delivery. - I am a Microsoft .NET MVP. - I co-founded [Edument](https://www.edument.se/), a Swedish training and consulting company, where I was CTO, developer and trainer. - I work as an [independent senior .NET consultant](https://tn-data.se/consulting/), so I teach from real projects. - I have worked with .NET and C# since 2002. - I hold the Azure AZ-204 and AZ-900 certifications. - I co-founded the [.NET Skåne](https://www.meetup.com/net-skane/) user group. ![Tore Nestenius teaching a course](https://tn-data.se/_astro/Tore-in-action-1.6Zvr4mPb_10GDS1.webp) ### Training FAQs #### What if I have a Mac or Linux computer? The workshop is designed for Windows. On a Mac or Linux computer you should be able to do most of the exercises, but I cannot guarantee it, and I cannot give technical support for those setups. For an extra fee, I can provide a prepared Windows virtual machine with everything installed. #### Is there any programming involved? Not much. The focus is on understanding and working with Azure as a developer, not on building applications in a particular framework, so you can take part whatever language or platform you use. Some exercises run local applications in C# and .NET 10, but you don't need to know C#. #### What do I need to do before the workshop? You get a setup document with step-by-step instructions. Before the workshop, install the tools it lists, such as Docker Desktop, Visual Studio Code, PowerShell 7 (Core) and the Azure CLI, and check that they work. #### Do I need an Azure account? Yes, your own personal or work account. You can register for a **free trial** or a **pay-as-you-go** account [here](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/purchase-options/azure-account). Your account needs full permission to create resources in your subscription and to work with Entra ID, for example to create App Registrations. I cannot provide an account for you. Depending on your account type, the resources you create may cost a little, but the costs should be small. #### I am studying for AZ-204. Is this workshop for me? Yes. AZ-204 spans many areas, and covering them all in a few days would only give brief overviews. To prepare properly, you need more depth and experience than the free MS Learn material gives. This workshop goes deep into a few core services, which gives you a solid, practical foundation and speeds up your studies. #### I am not studying for a certification. Is this workshop for me? Yes. The workshop is just as much for developers who want practical experience with Azure's key services, without a certification goal. #### What certifications do you have? I hold the AZ-204 Azure Developer Associate certification, and you can see my [certification transcript](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/users/torenestenius-6114/transcript/dlgeps0lypl2ee6). #### Should I take AZ-900 before AZ-204? You don't have to take [AZ-900](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-fundamentals/) before AZ-204, but it can still be worth it: - It gives a high-level overview of Azure, its goals, benefits and services. - It gets you used to the Microsoft Learn material and practice tests. - It shows you how the certification process and exam work. I recommend John Savill's free [AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals course](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlVtbbG169nED0_vMEniWBQjSoxTsBYS3), which covers most of what you need to pass. #### How does this workshop compare to the official Microsoft AZ-204 course? The official course, Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure \[AZ-204T00\], covers a wide range of Azure services in a short time, so each one gets less depth. My workshop picks a few key services and goes much deeper into them, in both theory and exercises. You come away with a stronger, more practical understanding of those areas, which you can use directly in real projects. #### What is the Cloud Debugger? The [Cloud Debugger](https://github.com/tndata/CloudDebugger) is an open-source tool for exploring, learning and troubleshooting Azure. I built it as an exercise tool while I prepared for AZ-204. It has over 30 tools for working with Azure services, including HTTP request diagnostics, App Service exploration, storage management and identity features. The source code is on GitHub, so you can see how it works and contribute. Read more in the blog post [Introducing the Cloud Debugger for Azure](https://nestenius.se/azure/introducing-the-cloud-debugger-for-azure/). #### Can the 5-day workshop be split into smaller parts? Yes. The workshop is designed for five full days, but that can be hard to schedule, so I also offer: - a 3 + 2 day split (for example, Monday to Wednesday one week, Thursday and Friday the next) - one day a week over five weeks - half-day sessions over several weeks Splitting it up also gives you time to reflect and experiment between sessions. If you want another format, get in touch and we'll find a schedule that works for your team. #### Do you provide both on-site and remote training classes? Yes, I provide both types of training. #### Do you provide training in both Swedish and English? Yes, both options are available. All my course materials are in English, and I can teach the class in either Swedish or English. #### Do you do half-day training? When I run on-site, I usually do full-day classes. For remote training, I offer options for both half-day and full-day sessions. #### Do you do webinars and shorter talks? Yes, please visit my [Talks](https://tn-data.se/talks/) page for more details.