Cloud computing is the practice of using remote servers and networks to store, process, and access data over the internet. It can offer many benefits for computer science professionals, such as scalability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, and security. But how can you work with cloud computing effectively? Here are some tips and best practices to help you get started.
There are three main types of cloud computing services: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). Each one provides different levels of control, customization, and responsibility for the user. Depending on your needs and goals, you should choose the service model that suits your project best. For example, if you want to have full control over the hardware and software, you can opt for IaaS. If you want to focus on developing and deploying applications, you can use PaaS. If you want to access ready-made software without worrying about maintenance, you can go for SaaS.
Working with cloud computing requires some specific skills and tools that you may not be familiar with. For instance, you should know how to use cloud-based platforms and frameworks, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). You should also learn how to use cloud-native technologies, such as containers, microservices, serverless functions, or orchestration tools. Additionally, you should be proficient in programming languages, such as Python, Java, or C#, that are commonly used for cloud development. Moreover, you should be aware of the security and ethical issues that come with cloud computing, such as data privacy, compliance, and encryption.
Who has time to learn all these skills when they are starting their journey? I would say start with the basics. Learn the fundamentals of each cloud and what they offer. Learn the fundamentals of cloud security. And then put all of that into practice and get some real world experience. In my experience there is no such thing as a full stack developer, there are developers who know enough to get by, and there are engineers and architects who also know enough to get by the other way. People need to recognise that both of these skillets are equally as valid and that DevOps is a culture. A team effort. If one person is juggling inf and app then I would suggest they won't last long in that role.
I would add JavaScript as it is widely used for developing the front-end of cloud applications and for integrations. Also I wouldn't leave out Salesforce as its acquisitions have largely made it a cloud-based platform that can rival AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. It is also arguably gaining such rapid and widespread adoption due to its ease of use and constant pipeline of improvements.
Before you start working with cloud computing, you should have a clear plan and design for your cloud architecture. This means that you should define the components, connections, and functions of your cloud system. You should also consider the performance, reliability, scalability, and security of your cloud architecture. For example, you should decide how to distribute your workload across multiple servers, how to handle failures and backups, how to manage your resources and costs, and how to protect your data and users. You can use tools like cloud diagrams, cloud patterns, or cloud templates to help you design your cloud architecture.
AWS has a well-architected framework that you can reference for best practices with AWS architecture. Salesforce also has a well-architected framework where they advise architects of best practices. There are general best practices to follow, but you should follow the best practices of the cloud provider that you are working with. Also you should look for areas where you can remove point to point integrations and where you can manage all your APIs with a took like Mulesoft. Additionally, look at limits around API calls, security, data skew, database structure and follow best practices of the cloud provider.
Once you have your cloud architecture ready, you can start developing and testing your cloud applications. You should follow the best practices and standards for cloud development, such as using agile methodologies, version control, code quality, and documentation. You should also use the tools and services that your cloud provider offers, such as integrated development environments (IDEs), code editors, testing frameworks, or deployment pipelines. Furthermore, you should test your cloud applications thoroughly, using different methods and scenarios, such as unit testing, integration testing, load testing, or security testing. You should also monitor and debug your cloud applications regularly, using tools like logs, metrics, or alerts.
VS Code is an excellent and in my opinion easy-to-use IDE. Github and bitbucket are great for version control. Postman is easy to use for testing APIs.
The final step of working with cloud computing is to deploy and maintain your cloud solutions. You should choose the deployment model that fits your needs and preferences, such as public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud. You should also use the tools and techniques that your cloud provider supports, such as automation, continuous integration, continuous delivery, or continuous deployment. Additionally, you should maintain your cloud solutions, by updating, optimizing, and troubleshooting them as needed. You should also evaluate your cloud solutions, by measuring their outcomes, feedback, and impact.