Microsoft Azure for Developers : Get all the power you need to easily develop, deploy and manage cloud-scale applications


Microsoft Azure is the perfect tool for you if you are looking to develop, implement, and manage scalable cloud applications.

Thanks to the variety of services it offers, it makes it the number 1 tool worldwide for developers and other cloud technicians. Making it easier for you to carry out your projects by putting into practice the tools it provides.

Next, I will help you learn more about how to get started with Microsoft Azure and everything you need to know to implement this tool as a developer.

How to get started using Azure for your development projects?

To start using Azure, the steps you need to follow are:

  1. 1

    Create your Azure account

    The first step is to create your Azure account, this is a quick process and you only need to provide some basic information.

  2. 2

    Set up your virtual machine (VM)

    The next step is to set up a virtual machine, this will allow you to safely test and develop your applications. I will later explain in detail how to create a virtual machine for development.

  3. 3

    Evaluate the payment plans

    It's important to note that Azure offers free plans, but it also has paid plans that will expand the tools and benefits of using Azure. Evaluate both options and choose the one that best suits your needs depending on the project you want to develop.

  4. 4

    Investigate and choose

    Investigate all the free and paid services that Microsoft Azure offers so that you have a clear understanding of all the tools you have at your disposal when developing your projects.

After completing these simple steps, you can begin to explore everything that Azure has to offer for you.

What are the main Microsoft Azure use cases for developers?

The main uses you will find in Microsoft Azure as a developer are as follows:

  • Application development

    Create both mobile and web applications, from design to development to testing.

  • Security and governance

    Develop mechanisms for controlling and securing your applications.

  • Application hosting

    Develop applications in any programming language without having to manage the infrastructure.

  • Integration with other services

    Connect with other cloud applications and systems through integrated connectors and Azure services such as Azure Logic Apps, Azure Service Bus, and Azure Event Grid.

That's right! All of this and much more can be done with Microsoft Azure, don't fall behind and start with Azure to increase your experience, simplify your work process, and improve your skills as a developer.

What are the most common application development scenarios on Azure?

This is one of the most important questions, as you as a developer want to know which of the many services offered by Azure is the most popular, and here is the answer to that mystery.

  1. 1

    Mobile application development

    Currently, one of the most common scenarios is mobile application development, Microsoft Azure offers you all the tools to create high-quality mobile applications, with backend and DevOps services.

  2. 2

    Service Fabric

    The use of Service Fabric allows you to run applications in seconds, with the implementation and management of machine clusters. In addition to application development, you can give daily monitoring, management, and maintenance to your applications. 

    Service Fabric integrates with CI/CD tools such as Azure Pipelines, Jenkins, or any other CI/CD tool.

What are the Key Azure services that are offered for developers?

Besides all the services that Microsoft Azure offers for developers, we have more than 100 services available on this platform, but the ones that are key for you as a developer are:

  • Azure App Services 

    This allows you to create, deploy, and manage web and mobile applications efficiently, in any language, whether it be .NET, JAVA, RUBY, among others.

  • Azure Functions 

    It provides a cloud solution for executing code in a scalable and cost-effective manner without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure.

  • Azure DevOps 

    It is a complete solution for the software development life cycle that includes planning tools, version control and tracking, testing, among others.

  • Azure Container Instances 

    It allows you to easily create a container in Azure without the need to manage any virtual machine.

  • Azure Virtual Machines 

    As a developer, it allows you to create and manage virtual machines in the cloud to develop, test and run applications.

You have a large number of services to choose from, the most suitable and adaptable to the project you want to develop, however, I recommend these that are key as a developer.

How to create an Azure account for development purposes?

This is very simple and nothing out of the ordinary, you just need to follow these steps:

  1. 1

    Enter the Microsoft Azure website.

  2. 2

    Click on "Create an account".

  3. 3

    Enter personal information such as your name, email, phone number, among other basic information required when creating an account on any website.

  4. 4

    The next step is to verify your identity either through the email address you entered or by a verification code to your phone number.

  5. 5

    The last thing you need to do is provide payment information for your account, you can use a credit or debit card. Upon confirming this, your Azure account will be ready.

Although Azure offers free services or free trial versions, some tools have a cost, such as virtual machines. So, it's important to evaluate Azure costs and determine what services you need to develop your projects without spending more than necessary.

How to set up a Virtual Machine for development work?

What is a virtual machine?

A virtual machine (VM) is a virtualized system that runs in the cloud and can be used to develop and test your applications. Here I explain how to do it:

  1. 1

    Access your Azure account, which must have an active subscription.

  2. 2

    Once you have access to your account, you can create a new virtual machine from the Azure dashboard. Click the "Virtual Machines" button, "+Add". Then, follow the steps to select the operating system and hardware configurations you want.

  3. 3

    Once the VM is created, you need to configure it for development work. You can do this by accessing the VM from the Azure dashboard and configuring the necessary options, such as firewall rules, IP address allocation, etc.

  4. 4

    Now, you can install the software and tools necessary for developing your applications. This may include a code editor, version control, an integrated development environment (IDE), etc.

  5. 5

    Finally, you can start developing your applications on the Azure VM. You can access the VM from anywhere with an Internet connection and work on it as if you were on your own computer.

Tips for troubleshooting common problems when developing with Azure.

It's normal to encounter common issues when developing, but there are solutions and here are some tips for quickly resolving these technical problems so you can continue with your project.

  • Check Azure logs: These logs include detailed information about any errors or problems affecting the performance of your applications.

  • Use Azure diagnostic tool: Azure has a built-in diagnostic tool that helps you identify and resolve problems with your applications. With just a few clicks, you can get detailed information about any errors or problems that are occurring.

  • Use online communities: You can find specialized Azure development forums where you can ask questions and get answers from other experienced developers.

  • Consult Azure documentation: Azure documentation is an excellent source of information and can help you resolve many common problems. Make sure to check the documentation before seeking help online.

With a little patience and practice, you can solve any problem that arises on your path as an Azure developer.

What are the pricing models for developers on Azure?

Microsoft Azure for developers, in addition to offering you so many services, also offers several pricing models that fit your needs, such as:

  • Pay-per-use, where you will only pay for the Azure resources you use, regardless of the duration of use.

  • By subscription, where you pay a monthly or annual fee to access Azure resources. If you want a wide range of resources and flexibility in terms of pricing, this pricing model is perfect for you.

  • Azure also often offers special deals for developers, giving limited-time discounts, promotions, or free trials to certain services on its platform.

It's up to you to evaluate and decide what pricing model is the most appropriate, that fits your needs as a developer.

How can developers benefit from using Azure for their projects?

By using Azure for developers, you get really great discounts, such as:

  • Discounts and savings

    When evaluating the costs and budgets of your projects, you will have the advantage of discounts and savings that Azure offers you as a developer.

    Azure also offers special discounts for developers who use their services consistently.


    For example, you can take advantage of discounts for prolonged use, volume discounts, and long-term commitment discounts. These discounts can help you save money on your long-term development costs.

  • Free services

    Not to mention that Azure has a wide range of free services that serve you to start developing your projects. In addition, it has free trials for the first month in some services such as Azure Functions, Azure App Service, among many other services that have this discount of 1 month.

  • Ease of use

    The easy handling of this platform will help you simplify your work process, making it a great benefit as you save time and effort by using Azure's services and tools.

Final Thought

Ultimately, if you're looking for the best tool for your development projects, then Microsoft Azure is definitely a great option for you. With so many tools and services it offers, you can easily create your applications in the cloud.

All the benefits that Microsoft Azure offers make it the number 1 platform for developers and other technical professionals in the cloud. You just need to research which services you will need for your projects and implement them.

So it's time to put all these tips into practice to implement Azure as a development tool and increase your skills and knowledge in the field.

About the author

Youssef

Youssef is a Senior Cloud Consultant & Founder of ITCertificate.org

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