Book excerpt: Uncover the fundamental elements for developing and maintaining cloud-based solutions on Azure Key Features Written by Microsoft technical trainers, to help you explore exam topics in a structured way Understand the "why", and not just "how" behind design and solution decisions Learn Azure development principles with online exam preparation materials Purchase of this book unlocks access to web-based exam prep resources including mock exams, flashcards, exam tips, and the eBook pdf Book DescriptionGet ready to delve into Microsoft Azure and build efficient cloud-based solutions with this updated second edition. Authored by seasoned Microsoft trainers, Paul Ivey and Alex Ivanov, this book offers a structured approach to mastering the AZ-204 exam topics while focusing on the intricacies of Azure development. You’ll familiarize yourself with cloud fundamentals, understanding the core concepts of Azure and various cloud models. Next, you’ll gain insights into Azure App Service web apps, containers and container-related services in Azure, Azure Functions, and solutions using Cosmos DB and Azure Blob Storage. Later, you'll learn how to secure your cloud solutions effectively as well as how to implement message- and event-based solutions and caching. You’ll also explore how to monitor and troubleshoot your solutions effectively. To build on your skills, you’ll get hands-on with monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing Azure applications, ensuring peak performance and reliability. Moving ahead, you’ll be able to connect seamlessly to third-party services, harnessing the power of API management, event-based solutions, and message-based solutions. By the end of this MS Azure book, you'll not only be well-prepared to pass the AZ-204 exam but also be equipped with practical skills to excel in Azure development projects.What you will learn Identify cloud models and services in Azure Develop secure Azure web apps and host containerized solutions in Azure Implement serverless solutions with Azure Functions Utilize Cosmos DB for scalable data storage Optimize Azure Blob storage for efficiency Securely store secrets and configuration settings centrally Ensure web application security with Microsoft Entra ID authentication Monitor and troubleshoot Azure solutions Who this book is for Whether you're looking to validate your existing skills or enhance your Azure knowledge, this comprehensive guide offers a structured approach to mastering key concepts and passing the AZ-204 certification exam. It will be beneficial to have at least one year of Azure development experience and proficiency in at least one Azure-supported programming language to get the most out of this book. Additionally, familiarity with Azure CLI and PowerShell will also be helpful.