I'm a web developer who primarily works with .NET and Java. Lately, I've noticed that a lot of job postings are asking for AWS or Azure certifications. The thing is, I'm a complete beginner when it comes to cloud computing and I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. I've tried watching some AWS courses, but they just seem too complicated, and after trying to read a book on it, I gave up because it was just too much to take in all at once. My aim is to eventually host my own SaaS applications on AWS or another cloud service. I'm looking to learn these cloud skills mainly for my own benefit and to enhance my job prospects. However, I'm a bit confused about which certification path to choose with so many options like Solutions Architect, Developer Associate, and DevOps—especially since I think the Developer Associate track could be the right fit, but I'm not sure if it's too simple or too complex. Also, is learning AWS really that hard? When I first tried, everything felt abstract, and I didn't grasp why processes were performed in certain ways. It was tough for me as a visual learner since most resources dive into technical jargon without explaining the concepts clearly. Lastly, for a web developer, what specific AWS skills should I expect to use in a job? For instance, if the job says knowledge of AWS is required, what types of tasks would I need to handle?
1 Answer
You should definitely start with the basics! Deploy a simple .NET web app on either AWS or Azure just to get your feet wet. Focus on the essential setup and environment configurations, and take notes as you go along—then delete the resources to avoid unnecessary costs afterwards. This hands-on approach will cover about 90% of what you'll need. As you progress, you’ll discover numerous features, but at first, you can ignore the fluff. It’s like using Excel for the first time; you don’t need to know every single option upfront!
Totally agree! Deploying something small will give you a solid foundation. I'd say use Azure if you're more into .NET, but AWS works too. Just remember to manage your resources carefully to avoid costs!