Developing Applications with Google Cloud
Coursera · Google Cloud · Updated
Platform rating
4.6/5
AI Tutor Rating
8.6/10
Duration
Multi-course specialization
Classes
8
In this specialization, you learn the fundamentals of application development on Google Cloud. Through a combination of presentations and hands-on labs, participants learn best practices for designing cloud applications, the use of service orchestration and choreography to coordinate microservices, and how to use Cloud Functions to develop single-purpose functions that process events within your cloud infrastructure. This class is intended for application developers, architects, and cloud engineers who want to build new cloud applications or redesign existing applications to run on Google Cloud. This course teaches participants the following skills: Understand how to choose the appropriate data storage option for application use cases. Use authentication and authorization to secure an application. Describe use cases for the different Google Cloud compute options for running applications. Describe the benefits and challenges of microservice-based architectures. Describe the advantages of event-driven applications. Identify the strengths of orchestration and choreography. Use Workflows, Eventarc, Cloud Tasks, and Cloud Scheduler to coordinate a microservices application on Google Cloud. Recognize the benefits of and use cases for Cloud Functions in modern application development. Understand how to build, test, and deploy Cloud Functions. Secure and connect Cloud Functions to resources and cloud databases. Use best practices with Cloud Functions.
Developing Applications with Google Cloud is a multi-course specialization from Google Cloud available on Coursera. It teaches the fundamentals of building and redesigning applications for the Google Cloud Platform. The curriculum focuses on designing cloud applications, coordinating microservices through orchestration and choreography, and developing event-driven functions. This course is intended for application developers, architects, and cloud engineers who want to build new cloud applications or migrate existing ones to Google Cloud.
What you'll learn in Developing Applications with Google Cloud
Our Review of Developing Applications with Google Cloud
The Developing Applications with Google Cloud specialization is structured as a multi-course program, blending presentations with hands-on labs. This format provides a practical, project-based learning path that moves from understanding architectural concepts to implementing specific Google Cloud services. The curriculum is tightly focused on application development outcomes, suggesting a learner will progress from choosing data storage and securing applications to actively using tools like Workflows, Eventarc, and Cloud Functions in coordinated systems.
The course's value is anchored by its direct authorship from Google Cloud and the inclusion of a certificate for the $49 fee, which offers credible recognition for the skills covered. The stated lack of prerequisites positions it as accessible, but the depth of topics like microservice coordination and event-driven architecture implies it is best suited for developers with some foundational programming or cloud knowledge, rather than complete beginners. The hands-on lab component is critical for translating the presented concepts into tangible, deployable skills.
Pros and cons of Developing Applications with Google Cloud
Pros
- Hands-on labs provide practical experience with Google Cloud tools.
- Direct instruction from Google Cloud ensures authoritative, platform-specific content.
- Clear focus on modern application development patterns like microservices and event-driven design.
- Includes a verifiable certificate of completion for professional profiles.
- Comprehensive coverage of key services including Cloud Functions, Workflows, and Eventarc.
Things to consider
- Lack of stated prerequisites may understate the needed foundational knowledge for complete beginners.
- As a multi-course specialization, it requires a sustained time commitment to complete.
- The $49 fee, while reasonable, is a required investment to access graded materials and the certificate.
Who should take Developing Applications with Google Cloud?
This course is a strong fit for application developers or cloud engineers with basic coding experience who need to design, build, or migrate applications to Google Cloud. It is ideal for professionals aiming to implement microservices, automate workflows, and develop serverless functions using Google's specific toolset, and who value a certificate from the platform vendor.
Developing Applications with Google Cloud at a glance
| Provider | Coursera |
|---|---|
| Instructor | Google Cloud |
| Level | Beginner |
| Time to complete | Multi-course specialization |
| Pricing | $49 |
| Certificate | Certificate |
| Prerequisites | None |
Fit
Best for
Not ideal for
The bottom line on Developing Applications with Google Cloud
Developing Applications with Google Cloud delivers a vendor-specific, practical curriculum for building modern cloud applications. Its hands-on labs and certificate offer good value for developers targeting the Google Cloud ecosystem, though learners should come prepared with fundamental development or cloud concepts to fully benefit from its focused, intermediate-level material.
Developing Applications with Google Cloud: frequently asked questions
What exactly will I learn to build in the Developing Applications with Google Cloud course?
You will learn to build and coordinate microservices applications on Google Cloud, specifically using services like Workflows, Eventarc, and Cloud Tasks. The course also teaches you to build, test, deploy, and secure event-driven Cloud Functions connected to cloud databases.
Do I need prior Google Cloud or programming experience before taking this course?
The course lists no formal prerequisites. However, its intended audience is application developers and architects, suggesting that foundational programming knowledge and a basic understanding of cloud concepts will be necessary to succeed with the hands-on labs and architectural topics.
Is the certificate from this Coursera specialization worth the $49 cost?
Yes, the certificate provides verifiable proof of completion from Google Cloud, which can be valuable for professional profiles. The $49 fee also grants access to all graded assignments and hands-on labs required to earn that credential.
How does this Google Cloud specialization compare to a general cloud development course?
Unlike a general course, Developing Applications with Google Cloud is deeply specific to Google's platform, teaching you to use exact services like Cloud Functions and Workflows. It is for learners committed to the Google Cloud ecosystem rather than those seeking vendor-agnostic theory.
What is the best way to succeed in this multi-course specialization?
To get the most from Developing Applications with Google Cloud, actively complete all the hands-on labs, as they are essential for practical skill development. Also, ensure you have a foundational grasp of application development concepts before starting to keep pace with the microservices and event-driven architecture modules.