AZ-204

Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure

TLDR;

• Read the disclaimer
• Go through Topics (check Study Plan for a suggested order)
• Practice with quiz app (by topic)

Study guide for Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure

AZ-204 Exam Updates for October 2024

Develop Azure compute solutions (25–30%)

Implement containerized solutions

• Create and manage container images for solutions
• Publish an image to Azure Container Registry
• Run containers by using Azure Container Instance
• Create solutions by using Azure Container Apps

Implement Azure App Service Web Apps

• Create an Azure App Service Web App
• Configure and implement diagnostics and logging
• Deploy code and containerized solutions
• Configure settings including Transport Layer Security (TLS), API settings, and service connections
• Implement autoscaling
• Configure deployment slots

Implement Azure Functions

• Create and configure an Azure Function App
• Implement input and output bindings
• Implement function triggers by using data operations, timers, and webhooks

Develop for Azure storage (15–20%)

Develop solutions that use Azure Cosmos DB

• Perform operations on containers and items by using the SDK
• Set the appropriate consistency level for operations
• Implement change feed notifications

Develop solutions that use Azure Blob Storage

• Set and retrieve properties and metadata
• Perform operations on data by using the appropriate SDK
• Implement storage policies and data lifecycle management

Implement Azure security (15–20%)

Implement user authentication and authorization

• Authenticate and authorize users by using the Microsoft Identity platform
• Authenticate and authorize users and apps by using Microsoft Entra ID
• Create and implement shared access signatures
• Implement solutions that interact with Microsoft Graph

Implement secure Azure solutions

• Secure app configuration data by using App Configuration or Azure Key Vault
• Develop code that uses keys, secrets, and certificates stored in Azure Key Vault
• Implement Managed Identities for Azure resources

Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions (5–10%)

Troubleshoot solutions by using Application Insights

• Monitor and analyze metrics, logs, and traces
• Implement Application Insights web tests and alerts
• Implement an app or service to use Application Insights

Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services (20–25%)

Implement API Management

• Create an Azure API Management instance
• Create and document APIs
• Configure access to APIs
• Implement policies for APIs

Develop event-based solutions

• Implement solutions that use Azure Event Grid
• Implement solutions that use Azure Event Hub

Develop message-based solutions

• Implement solutions that use Azure Service Bus
• Implement solutions that use Azure Queue Storage queues

Topics

1. Azure App Service Web Apps
2. Azure Functions
3. Azure Container Solutions
   • Azure Container Registry
   • Azure Container Instance
   • Azure Container Apps
4. Azure Blob Storage
5. Azure Cosmos DB
6. Microsoft Identity Platform
   • Azure Managed Identities
   • Microsoft Entra ID
7. Microsoft Graph
8. Azure Key Vault
9. Azure App Configuration
10. Azure API Management
11. Azure Application Insights
12. Azure Event Grid
13. Azure Event Hub
14. Message Queues
    • Azure Service Bus
    • Azure Queue Storage

API Documentation

• AZ CLI
• .Net
• Powershell

Exam preparation

• Exam Demo
• Practice Assessments for Microsoft Certifications
• MeasureUp
• WhizLabs
• Learn Azure App

Study resources

• Microsoft Learning Path (or /Learning Path)
• [GitHub] MicrosoftLearning / Microsoft Lab Exercises
• Exam Readiness Zone:
  • Develop Azure compute solutions
  • Develop for Azure storage
  • Implement Azure security
  • Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions
  • Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services
• [OFFICIAL] Microsoft Learn: AZ-204: Develop Solutions for Microsoft Azure (YouTube)
• /Topics
• Microsoft Applied Skills (some of the skills listed could help you understand certain topics better)
• Azure Sandbox Environment (costs $$$)
• [OFFICIAL] Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) Professional Certificate (Coursera)
• AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure (Alan Rodrigues)
• Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) — Full Course Pass the Exam! (freeCodeCamp.org)
• Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure Course (A Guide To Cloud)
• AZ-204 Exam Preparation: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure (Cloud Academy)
• Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure (AZ-204) - Pluralsight
• AZ-204 Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure - Udemy
• Microsoft Certification Hub - AZ-204 Study Materials
• Mastering the AZ-204 Exam - A Comprehensive Guide to Azure Certification Preparation

Emojis

Emojis are used to represent common concepts with shared meanings. However, during the exam, different variations of the same meaning may be utilized.
In these study notes, emojis may be ambiguous and the correct meaning has to be guessed from the context.

• ⭐: Recommended
• ❌: Not recommended / Not Supported
• ⏺️: Default
• ️: Cheap / Cost-effective
• : High price (cost) / Expensive
• ⚡: Low latency / High throughput (transactions) / Fast
• : High ("flexible") latency / Low throughput (transactions)
• : Random
• : Premium only
• : Standard / Not premium
• : Transaction-intensive / Heavy traffic
• ‍♂️: High availability
• ⏫: Ingress / Upload
• ⏬: Egress / Download
• : Immutable / Cannot be changed
• : Simple / Easy
• : Microsoft Managed Keys
• ️: User Managed Keys

Disclaimer

The content found in this repository is a result of my personal study and understanding of the AZ-204 exam topics. While I have made every effort to ensure accuracy, there may be inaccuracies, or even incorrect or missing information contained within these notes.

Since passing the exam in October 2023, I strive to keep this information current, but updates are made on a best-effort basis rather than through active maintenance.

I welcome corrections and contributions from others to enhance the quality and accuracy of this material. If you find any errors or have suggestions for improvement, please feel free to open an issue or submit a pull request.

Please use these notes at your own discretion and cross-reference with official materials and resources to ensure complete understanding of the subject matter.

Wish you good luck in your preparation for the AZ-204 exam!