Does DevOps or Cloud Engineer Need Coding?

by Paul Andrew Arboleda
Paul Andrew Arboleda
•
March 24, 2023
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6 min read

Highlights

Role Clarity: Understand the distinct responsibilities of DevOps engineers vs. Cloud engineers and where cloud coding for DevOps fits in.
Automation is Key: Learn how DevOps automation coding speeds up development, testing, and deployment cycles.
Practical Benefits: Discover why having robust DevOps coding skills helps you troubleshoot issues and collaborate with developers effectively.
Top Choices: Find out which DevOps languages are the absolute best to learn for modern infrastructure, specifically Python and Go.
Python's Dominance: See why Python for DevOps is universally recommended for its readability, versatility, and rich library ecosystem.
Scripting Power: Realize how scripting in cloud engineering unlocks the ability to create custom, efficient workflows instead of doing manual tasks.

If you're considering a career as a DevOps or cloud engineer, you might be asking yourself, "Do I need to know how to code?"

Before we answer this question and dive into programming for DevOps, let's take a moment to understand the core responsibilities of each role.

What Does a DevOps Engineer Do?

In the world of software development, there are two main teams that work together: developers and operations. Developers are responsible for creating and updating the software. Operations teams are in charge of deploying and maintaining the software.

The problem is, these two teams often have different priorities and ways of working. Developers want to add new features and functionality to the software as quickly as possible. Operations teams need to ensure that the software is reliable and stable.

This is where DevOps engineers come in! Their main goal is to bridge the gap between these two teams. They do this by implementing DevOps automation coding and automated processes.

DevOps engineers help speed up the development process by automating tasks like testing, building, and deploying software updates.

For example, imagine a company that releases new software updates every month. Without automation, the development team would have to spend a lot of time manually testing and deploying each update. This could lead to delays and mistakes. However, with the help of DevOps engineers, the company could implement automated testing and deployment processes to speed up the release cycle. This means that the development team can release updates quickly and confidently.

Overall, a DevOps engineer is like a bridge between two worlds. They help speed up the development process by automating tasks like testing, building, and deploying software updates, making the development lifecycle smoother and more efficient.

What Does a Cloud Engineer Do?

Cloud engineers are the folks who design, deploy, and maintain cloud-based infrastructure and services.

They work with different cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Their main goal is to ensure that everything on the cloud works smoothly and securely.

Some of the things cloud engineers do include:

Setting up cloud infrastructure: This involves setting up servers, configuring networking and security settings, and ensuring that everything is working together correctly.
Deploying and managing cloud-based services: Cloud engineers deploy and manage various services on the cloud, including web applications and databases. They ensure that these services are scalable, set up properly, and efficient in terms of cost and performance.
Automating processes: Cloud engineers use automation tools to streamline cloud infrastructure and service deployment. Automation helps to speed up processes, reduce errors, increase efficiency, and improve overall reliability.

To sum it up, cloud engineers use different cloud platforms and tools to make sure that cloud-based infrastructure and services are dependable, flexible, and secure.

How Does Coding Help?

In today's world, information technology has become an essential part of our lives. We use computers for almost everything, from communication to entertainment and work.

In this age, coding has become an essential skill. Even if you're not in a technical field, knowing how to code can help you in many ways.

For example, coding can help you automate repetitive tasks. By writing a program to perform a task, you can free up your time. You can also use that time to focus on other important things, like coming up with creative ideas or solving complex problems.

When it comes to cloud coding for DevOps, having actual DevOps coding skills can really give you a leg up. Here are some ways coding can be helpful:

Collaborate more effectively with developers: When you understand code, you can work more closely with developers on projects. This can lead to smoother collaboration and better outcomes for everyone involved.
Communicate technical requirements more clearly: When you can speak the language of code, you'll be better equipped to communicate technical requirements with your team. This can save time and prevent misunderstandings that could lead to costly mistakes down the road.
Troubleshoot issues more effectively: Knowing how to code can also help you more quickly identify and troubleshoot issues with infrastructure and applications. This means less time spent trying to figure out what's wrong and more time fixing it.
Create custom workflows: When you know how to code, you have the power to create custom workflows that are tailored to your specific needs. This can save time, reduce errors, and make your work more efficient overall.

Which Programming Language to Learn?

We know that coding can be incredibly useful. So, the next logical question is: which programming language should you learn?

There are many programming languages out there, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. When looking at DevOps languages, there are two that truly stand out: Python and Go.

Python

Python is a general-purpose programming language that's widely used in the tech industry.

One of the reasons Python for DevOps is so popular is its simple and easy-to-read syntax. This makes it a great choice for beginners just starting out with programming. Even experienced developers appreciate Python's clean and readable code.

Python is also versatile. It is used in all sorts of different fields, from scripting and web development to data science and machine learning. There are a ton of libraries and tools available that can help you tackle just about any task.

In short, Python is versatile and easy to learn. And there are tons of resources available to help you along the way.

To start your journey as a Python programmer, check out this blog:

Go

Go, also known as Golang, is a programming language created by Google in 2009. Since then, it has become increasingly popular, particularly in DevOps. Many popular DevOps tools, such as Docker and Kubernetes, are written in Go.

So, if you learn Go, you can become a power user of various DevOps tools. Plus, you can contribute to their development.

Here are some of the key features of Go:

Fast build and startup times
Built-in concurrency support
Garbage collection for efficient memory management
Cross-platform compatibility for various operating systems and hardware architectures

Want to get started with Golang? Check out our Golang Beginners course:

Conclusion

So, is coding required to become a DevOps/cloud engineer? The answer is no. You don't have to be a programmer to excel in the world of DevOps or cloud engineering.

That being said, developing coding skills can greatly enhance your capabilities and help you stand out from the competition.

FAQs

Q1: Do I need a computer science degree to learn programming for DevOps?

No, you do not. Most DevOps and Cloud Engineers are self-taught or come from a system administration background. The coding required is highly practical and focused on automation, which you can learn via online tutorials and hands-on labs.

Q2: How does cloud coding for DevOps differ from software engineering?

Software engineers build the actual applications (like a web app or mobile app) that end-users interact with. DevOps engineers write code to automate the infrastructure, testing, and deployment pipelines that securely deliver those applications.

Q3: If I have no DevOps coding skills, can I still get a job?

Yes, junior roles often focus heavily on configuration, monitoring, and fundamental Linux administration. However, to advance to senior roles, learning how to code is highly recommended.

Q4: Why is scripting in cloud engineering so important?

Because clicking through a cloud provider's web console (like AWS or Azure) is slow and prone to human error. Scripting allows you to deploy and configure identical infrastructure in seconds reliably.

Q5: Between all the DevOps languages, why are Python and Go the top choices?

Python for DevOps is loved for its readability and massive library ecosystem, making automation quick to write. Go is loved because it is incredibly fast, handles concurrent processes effortlessly, and is the native language of industry-standard tools like Docker and Kubernetes.