Cloud and DevOps learning works best when each topic supports a complete application lifecycle. Start by understanding the environment, then package a sample app, automate repeatable checks, deploy with review, and observe its behavior.
Build foundations
Learn Linux inspection, networking basics, source control, environment configuration, and cloud service models. Understand which responsibilities belong to the provider and which remain with the team.
Package and automate
Use containers to make application dependencies explicit. Add a CI pipeline for tests and builds, then define approvals and protected credentials before any deployment step.
Review infrastructure and operations
Describe infrastructure as code, inspect plans and state changes, and learn how to detect drift. Add logs, metrics, alerts, backups, and a runbook so the service can be maintained after release.
Practice in an approved sandbox, understand potential charges, and clean up resources. Tool names and provider controls change; verify current documentation and access requirements.