Foundations of Cloud-Native Applications and Architecture

Transitioning to the cloud requires more than just moving virtual machines; it demands a fundamental shift in how we design, build, and deploy software. This text-based course guides you through the essential pillars of cloud-native architecture, helping you build a solid theoretical foundation and test your understanding of modern system design. What you'll learn: Understand the core principles of cloud-native architecture and the 12-factor app methodology; Explain the role of containers, orchestration tools like Kubernetes, and microservices in modern systems; Analyze cloud-native data patterns, including state management and service-to-service communication; Apply modern observability practices using metrics, distributed tracing, and centralized logging; Evaluate system reliability through basic CI/CD deployment strategies and resilient design patterns. You will start with fundamental cloud-native terminology and definitions before progressing to architectural patterns, containerization basics, and self-assessment scenarios designed to reinforce your learning. This course is perfect for developers, aspiring architects, and IT professionals new to cloud-native concepts, with no prior cloud deployment experience required. Start reading today to confidently discuss, design, and assess cloud-native applications.