Certifications
Introduction
Obtaining a certification in .NET can validate your skills and knowledge, making you more attractive to employers. Microsoft offers several certifications for .NET developers that cover different aspects of the framework. In this tutorial, we will go through the details of the available .NET certifications, the skills they cover, and how to prepare for them.
Available .NET Certifications
Microsoft offers a few key certifications for .NET developers. Each certification targets specific roles and skill levels:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
This certification is designed for developers who build and deploy applications on Microsoft Azure. It requires knowledge of cloud services and proficiency in Azure SDKs, data storage options, data connections, APIs, and app authentication and authorization. The exam code is AZ-204.
Skills Measured
- 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
Preparation
To prepare for the AZ-204 exam, consider the following resources:
// Microsoft Learn
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-developer/
// Practice Tests
https://www.measureup.com/microsoft-certified-azure-developer-associate-az-204.html
// Online Courses
https://www.udemy.com/course/az-204-developing-solutions-for-microsoft-azure/Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
This certification is intended for solution architects who advise stakeholders and translate business requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable solutions. It requires expertise in compute, network, storage, and security. The exams required are AZ-303 and AZ-304.
Skills Measured
- Design monitoring
- Design identity and security
- Design data storage
- Design business continuity
- Design infrastructure
Preparation
To prepare for the AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams, consider the following resources:
// Microsoft Learn
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-solutions-architect/
// Practice Tests
https://www.measureup.com/microsoft-certified-azure-solutions-architect-expert-az-303-and-az-304.html
// Online Courses
https://www.udemy.com/course/azure-solutions-architect-certification/Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
This certification is for DevOps professionals who combine people, processes, and technologies to deliver valuable products and services that meet end-user needs and business objectives. The exam code is AZ-400.
Skills Measured
- Develop an instrumentation strategy
- Develop a Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) strategy
- Develop a security and compliance plan
- Implement continuous integration
- Implement continuous delivery
- Implement dependency management
- Implement application infrastructure
- Implement continuous feedback
Preparation
To prepare for the AZ-400 exam, consider the following resources:
// Microsoft Learn
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-devops-engineer/
// Practice Tests
https://www.measureup.com/microsoft-certified-azure-devops-engineer-expert-az-400.html
// Online Courses
https://www.udemy.com/course/az-400-azure-devops-engineer/Exam Preparation Tips
- Create a study plan and stick to it
- Use official Microsoft Learn resources and documentation
- Take practice tests to assess your knowledge and identify areas for improvement
- Join study groups or online forums to discuss topics with peers
- Set up a lab environment to get hands-on practice
Conclusion
Obtaining a .NET certification can enhance your career prospects by validating your skills and knowledge. With the right preparation and resources, you can successfully achieve your certification goals. Good luck on your certification journey!