Ultimate AZ-204 Cheat Sheet: Azure Developer’s Guide

Preparing for the Microsoft AZ-204 exam? This cheat sheet guide covers what you need to know to pass the Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure certification. Let’s explore the main topics and skills for this important cloud development exam.

1. Exam Overview

The AZ-204 exam is for cloud developers who work in all stages of development. Here’s what you should know:

• Exam duration: 120-150 minutes
• Number of questions: 40-60
• Passing score: 700 out of 1000
• Prerequisite: 1-2 years of professional development experience

The exam tests your ability to design, build, test, and maintain cloud solutions using Microsoft Azure. It covers many Azure services and development practices, making sure certified developers can handle real-world cloud development challenges.

2. Exam Skills Breakdown

The AZ-204 exam covers five main skill areas. Here’s a breakdown:

Each of these skill areas includes various Azure services and development practices. It’s important to have hands-on experience with these technologies to do well on the exam and in real-world situations.

3. Azure Compute Solutions (25-30%)

This section is about implementing containerized solutions, Azure App Service Web Apps, and Azure Functions. It’s one of the biggest parts of the exam, showing how important compute services are in Azure development.

Containerized Solutions

• Create and manage container images
• Publish images to Azure Container Registry
• Run containers using Azure Container Instances
• Create solutions using Azure Container Apps
• Implement Kubernetes-based solutions on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Azure App Service Web Apps

• Create and configure an Azure App Service Web App
• Configure diagnostics, logging, and deployment settings
• Implement autoscaling and deployment slots
• Configure SSL certificates and custom domains

Azure Functions

• Create and configure an Azure Functions app
• Implement input/output bindings and function triggers
• Develop durable functions and handle concurrency
• Implement custom handlers in Azure Functions

4. Azure Storage Solutions (15-20%)

This section covers developing solutions using Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Blob Storage. Understanding data storage options and when to use them is crucial for efficient Azure development.

Azure Cosmos DB

• Perform operations on containers and items using the SDK
• Set appropriate consistency levels
• Implement change feed notifications
• Optimize indexing policies for performance
• Implement partitioning strategies

Azure Blob Storage

• Set and retrieve properties/metadata
• Implement storage policies and data lifecycle management
• Implement blob leases and soft delete
• Configure and use Azure Storage Explorer
• Implement Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2

5. Azure Security Implementation (15-20%)

Learn how to implement user authentication and authorization, and secure cloud solutions. Security is very important in Azure development to keep applications and data safe.

User Authentication and Authorization

• Implement Microsoft Identity platform
• Implement authentication in applications
• Implement multi-factor authentication
• Implement OAuth 2.0 authentication
• Implement Managed Identities for Azure resources

Secure Cloud Solutions

• Develop code that uses Azure Key Vault
• Implement Managed Identities for Azure resources
• Implement solutions that interact with Microsoft Graph
• Implement Azure role-based access control (RBAC)
• Secure Azure Storage access with shared access signatures (SAS)

6. Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Optimization (10-15%)

This section focuses on implementing caching, content delivery, and application insights for monitoring and logging. Efficient monitoring and optimization are key to maintaining high-performance Azure applications.

Caching and Content Delivery

• Implement Azure Cache for Redis
• Configure Content Delivery Networks (CDN)
• Implement Azure Front Door for global load balancing
• Configure caching strategies for Azure App Service

Application Insights

• Configure and interpret logs, metrics, and traces
• Implement application insights web tests and alerts
• Implement custom telemetry and custom events
• Configure and use Azure Monitor for containers

7. Azure Services and Third-party Services (20-25%)

Learn how to implement API Management, and develop event-based and message-based solutions. This section covers integrating various Azure services and third-party solutions to create comprehensive cloud applications.

API Management

• Create an APIM instance
• Configure authentication for APIs
• Define policies for APIs
• Implement API versioning and revisions
• Configure caching policies for APIs

Event-based Solutions

• Implement solutions that use Azure Event Grid
• Implement solutions that use Azure Event Hubs
• Create and configure Event Hub consumers
• Implement event-driven architectures using Azure Functions

Message-based Solutions

• Implement solutions that use Azure Service Bus
• Implement solutions that use Azure Queue Storage queues
• Configure message sessions and duplicate detection
• Implement pub/sub patterns using Azure Service Bus topics

8. Key Azure Services and Technologies

Make sure you know these important Azure tools and services:

• Azure SDKs
• Azure CLI
• Azure PowerShell
• Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates
• Azure Container Registry
• Azure Container Instances
• Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
• Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions for CI/CD
• Azure Logic Apps for workflow automation

9. Exam Preparation Strategies

To pass the AZ-204 exam, try these preparation strategies:

• Use Microsoft Learn resources for free online training
• Practice with hands-on labs and sample code
• Take practice tests to get used to the exam format
• Review Microsoft documentation for in-depth understanding
• Join Azure community forums to discuss concepts with others
• Participate in Azure coding challenges and hackathons
• Create a study group with other Azure developers
• Use the official AZ-204 exam study guide and practice questions

10. Career Opportunities and Certification Benefits

Getting the AZ-204 certification can lead to exciting career opportunities:

• Average salary for Microsoft Azure Developers: $115,000 per year
• Highest pay potential: Around $146,250 per year
• Job roles: Cloud Developer, Azure Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer
• Opportunities in industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce
• Potential for remote work and global job opportunities

The certification shows your expertise in developing Azure solutions and can lead to advanced certifications in the Microsoft ecosystem. It also proves your skills in cloud-native development, microservices architecture, and serverless computing, which are in high demand in the current job market.

Conclusion

With this cheat sheet, you’re better prepared to pass the AZ-204 exam and become a certified Azure Developer. Remember to practice hands-on with Azure services, keep up with the latest features, and use the resources provided by Microsoft and the Azure community. The AZ-204 certification is not just about passing an exam; it’s about gaining the skills and knowledge to excel in cloud development and drive innovation in the Azure ecosystem.

For more detailed training and resources to prepare for the AZ-204 exam, check out our Azure Development AZ-204 Certification course. Our expert instructors and hands-on labs will give you the skills and confidence you need to succeed in your Azure development career. Whether you’re just starting your cloud journey or want to improve your existing skills, our comprehensive course will help you master Azure development and set you on the path to certification success.