28 January, 2026 (Last Updated)

How to Start Learning DevOps from Scratch

Ever wondered how companies release software faster without breaking systems or facing downtime? DevOps is the practice that helps teams build, test, and deploy applications smoothly and continuously.

Many beginners feel confused about how to start learning DevOps from scratch, especially without prior experience in development or operations. The good news is that DevOps can be learned step by step with the right fundamentals.

In this guide, we will explain how to start learning DevOps from scratch, clearly and practically.

Types of DevOps Services

DevOps services focus on improving collaboration between development and operations teams while automating software delivery. Each service plays a specific role in making applications faster, more reliable, and scalable.

Continuous Integration (CI): Continuous Integration focuses on automatically building and testing code whenever developers make changes. It helps identify bugs early and ensures that new code works well with existing features. CI improves code quality and reduces integration issues.

Continuous Delivery and Continuous Deployment (CD): Continuous Delivery ensures that code is always ready for deployment, while Continuous Deployment automatically releases changes to production. These practices help teams release software faster with fewer errors. CD reduces manual work and speeds up release cycles.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Infrastructure as Code allows teams to manage servers, networks, and resources using code instead of manual setup. This makes infrastructure consistent, repeatable, and easy to scale. IaC also reduces configuration errors across environments.

Monitoring and Logging: Monitoring and logging services track application performance, system health, and errors in real time. They help teams detect issues quickly and respond before users are affected. This improves reliability and system stability.

Configuration Management: Configuration management ensures that systems are set up correctly and remain consistent across environments. It helps automate software installation, updates, and system configurations. This service reduces downtime and configuration-related failures.

Why Should You Learn DevOps in 2026?

DevOps has become essential for companies that want to deliver software faster and more reliably. In 2026, DevOps skills continue to be in high demand as organizations adopt cloud and automation at scale.

High Demand Across Industries: DevOps professionals are needed in IT services, product companies, startups, and enterprises to manage modern software delivery pipelines.

Faster Career Growth and Better Salaries: DevOps roles often offer quicker career progression and higher pay because they combine development, cloud, and automation skills.

Core Skill for Cloud and Modern Applications: DevOps is closely tied to cloud computing and container-based systems, making it a critical skill for modern application development.

Strong Focus on Automation and Efficiency: DevOps helps automate repetitive tasks, improve deployment speed, and reduce system failures, making teams more efficient.

Future Ready and Long-Term Career Option: As software delivery continues to evolve, DevOps remains relevant and continues to grow with new tools and practices.

Prerequisites to Start Learning DevOps

You do not need years of experience to begin learning DevOps, but having a few basics in place makes the learning process smoother. These prerequisites help you understand DevOps tools and workflows more easily.

• Basic Understanding of Software Development: Knowing how applications are built and how code works helps you understand DevOps pipelines and automation.
• Familiarity with Operating Systems: Basic knowledge of Linux commands and file systems is useful for managing servers and environments.
• Basic Networking Concepts: Understanding IP addresses, ports, and how systems communicate helps with deployments and troubleshooting.
• Willingness to Learn Tools and Automation: DevOps involves multiple tools, so curiosity and readiness to learn new technologies are important.
• Consistency and Practice Mindset: Regular hands-on practice helps you gain confidence in using DevOps tools effectively.

How to Learn DevOps From Scratch in 2026

Learning DevOps in 2026 works best when you follow a clear sequence that builds fundamentals first and then adds tools and automation. A structured path helps beginners avoid tool overload and understand how DevOps works end to end.

Step 1: Understand DevOps Fundamentals and Workflow

Start by learning what DevOps actually is and how it connects development, testing, deployment, and operations. Understand core ideas like CI CD, automation, collaboration, and monitoring.

Learn how code moves from a developer’s system to production. This foundation is essential if you are exploring how to start learning DevOps from scratch.

Step 2: Learn Linux and Basic Networking

DevOps tools run mostly on Linux environments, so learn basic Linux commands, file systems, permissions, and process management. Alongside this, understand simple networking concepts like IP addresses, ports, DNS, and HTTP.

These basics help you troubleshoot issues during deployments. Strong OS and networking knowledge make DevOps tools easier to use.

Step 3: Learn Version Control and CI Tools

Version control is central to DevOps, so learn Git concepts like repositories, branches, commits, and pull requests. Then move to CI tools that automate builds and tests when code changes.

Understand how pipelines work and why automation reduces errors. This step teaches you how teams collaborate safely on code.

Step 4: Learn Containers, Cloud, and Infrastructure as Code

Learn containers to package applications consistently across environments. Then, understand how cloud platforms host applications and scale resources.

Introduce Infrastructure as Code to create and manage infrastructure using configuration files. This step is key to understanding modern DevOps practices and reliability.

Step 5: Practice with Projects, Monitoring, and Automation

Apply everything by building small DevOps projects, such as setting up a CI CD pipeline or deploying an app to the cloud. Learn monitoring and logging to track system health and performance.

Practice automating routine tasks to reduce manual effort. By this stage, you will have clarity on how to start DevOps learning and move toward job-ready skills.

Best Resources to Learn DevOps for Beginners

Choosing the right learning resources helps beginners understand DevOps concepts clearly and practice them effectively. A mix of fundamentals, hands-on learning, and structured guidance works best.

• Start with DevOps Fundamentals First: Beginners should begin by understanding core DevOps concepts such as CI CD, automation, and collaboration before learning individual tools.
• Practice with Hands-On Labs: Hands-on practice helps you understand how DevOps tools work in real environments. Setting up small pipelines and deployments builds confidence.
• Use Structured Exercises and MCQs: Topic-wise exercises and MCQs help reinforce DevOps concepts like version control, containers, and cloud basics.
• Build Beginner-Friendly DevOps Projects: Simple projects, such as automating deployments or setting up monitoring, help you apply concepts practically.
• Follow a Step-by-Step Learning Path: A structured roadmap helps beginners avoid learning tools randomly and ensures steady progress.

Career Options After Learning DevOps

Learning DevOps opens up roles that combine development, automation, and operations skills. These careers focus on faster software delivery, system reliability, and scalable infrastructure.

1. DevOps Engineer

A DevOps engineer works on automating builds, testing, deployments, and infrastructure to improve delivery speed and reliability.

• Demand: Very high demand across product companies, MNCs, and startups
• Skills Required: CI CD pipelines, Linux, cloud basics, scripting, containers
• Tools: Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, or Azure

2. Cloud DevOps Engineer

A cloud DevOps engineer focuses on deploying and managing applications on cloud platforms using DevOps practices.

• Demand: Strong demand as companies migrate to cloud infrastructure
• Skills Required: Cloud services, automation, infrastructure as code, monitoring
• Tools: AWS, Azure, Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes

3. Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)

An SRE ensures that applications are reliable, scalable, and available by applying engineering principles to operations.

• Demand: Growing demand in large-scale and high-traffic systems
• Skills Required: Linux, system design basics, monitoring, and incident management
• Tools: Prometheus, Grafana, Linux, cloud platforms

4. Build and Release Engineer

A build and release engineer manages build systems and release processes to ensure smooth software delivery.

• Demand: Consistent demand in enterprise and product-based companies
• Skills Required: Version control, CI tools, scripting, release management
• Tools: Git, Jenkins, Maven, Gradle

5. Automation Engineer (DevOps Track)

An automation engineer focuses on automating repetitive tasks in development and operations workflows.

• Demand: High demand in QA, DevOps, and IT operations teams
• Skills Required: Scripting, automation tools, basic DevOps concepts
• Tools: Python, Shell scripting, Jenkins, Ansible

Final words

Learning DevOps from scratch is completely achievable with the right fundamentals, consistent practice, and hands-on projects.

By understanding workflows, tools, and automation step by step, you can build DevOps skills that are in strong demand across industries.

---

---