Azure DevOps for Beginners: Newbies Special

What is Azure DevOps for Beginners?

Here’s a funny story about how this repository started. My friend Sim asked me one day, “Bro, how do you add a project into Azure DevOps?”

Honestly, I had no idea either. I’d never done it before. So, I spent some time on the weekend figuring it out. Once I got it working, I thought, “This would’ve been so much easier if there was a simple guide to follow.”

That’s how this repository was born.

Whenever I learn something new, I doc it down for myself on a repository. But I also make it publicly availible because someone else might be wondering the same thing. My approach to these docs is simple: I don’t try to recreate what’s already out there.

Instead, I look online for the best guides and videos, pick out the exact steps that worked for me and summarize them in a way that’s easy to understand. No extra fluff, no confusing details,just the basics. That way, it’s helpful for others and I can always come back to it myself.

So, if you’ve ever felt stuck with Azure DevOps (like Sim and I did), this repository is here to help. It’s my way of making things a little easier for everyone.

Overview

Here’s a quick look at what’s inside:

What is Azure DevOps?

If you’ve ever wondered, “What even is Azure DevOps?” this section is for you. It’s a light introduction to what Azure DevOps is and why it’s such a big deal in modern development. You’ll get a clear breakdown of its key features like Azure Boards, Repos, Pipelines, Test Plans and Artifacts, how they work together to make software development faster and easier.

Plus, you’ll see how real-world companies, like Vodafone, have used Azure DevOps to transform their workflows. By the end, you’ll have a good understanding of why Azure DevOps is a game-changer and where to go for more details (hint: the official Microsoft docs are linked!).

Prerequisites

Before you start, you’ll need an account/accounts set up. This section walks you through everything step by step. It’s like a checklist to make sure you’re ready to go.

You’ll learn how to:

• Create a Microsoft Account (if you don’t already have one).
• Set up an Azure Subscription (don’t worry, there’s a free tier!).
• Create an Azure DevOps Organization, this is where all your projects and pipelines will live.
• Install essential tools like Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, or Git (depending on your needs).

By the end of this section, you’ll have the basics required to start using Azure DevOps.

Tips and Common Issues

We’ve all been stuck at some point. This section is your cheat sheet for avoiding headaches and solving common problems in Azure DevOps.

You’ll find:

• Handy Tips: Learn how to organize your projects, sort them pipelines out and work smarter with boards.
• Common Issues: Troubleshoot problems like pipeline failures, merge conflicts, slow builds and access errors.

Resources

Once you’ve got the basics down, this section is your gateway to diving deeper into Azure DevOps. It’s packed with:

• Official Documentation: Links to Microsoft’s guides and learning paths.
• Hands-On Labs: Interactive labs to practice real-world scenarios.
• Popular Videos and Tutorials: Beginner-friendly content to help you learn visually.
• Community Forums: Places to ask questions, share knowledge, and connect with other Azure DevOps users.

Tutorials

This is where the fun begins! The tutorials are hands-on and beginner-friendly, designed to help you learn by doing.

You’ll find step-by-step guides for:

• .NET: Learn how to build, test, and deploy .NET applications using Azure DevOps.
• More Coming Soon: Stay tuned for tutorials on other tech stacks!

Each tutorial includes clear instructions and code snippets, so you can follow along and experiment with your own projects.

Contributions

This repository is just my side of a story, but having a community of different individuals involved will turn this into a movie. If you’re just starting out or you’ve been using Azure DevOps for years, your contributions are welcome and appreciated!

Why Contribute?

• For Beginners: Contributing is a great way to learn. By fixing a typo, adding a screenshot, or explaining a concept in your own words, you’ll deepen your understanding of Azure DevOps.
• For Experts: Share your knowledge! Your experience can help others avoid common pitfalls and learn best practices.
• For Everyone: This is a collaborative space. Your ideas, feedback, and improvements make this resource better for everyone.

How You Can Help

Here are some ways you can contribute:

• Improve Documentation: Fix typos, clarify instructions, or add screenshots to make the guides easier to follow.
• Add Tutorials: Share your expertise by creating tutorials for different tech stacks or workflows.
• Expand Resources: Suggest helpful links, videos, or tools that others might find useful.
• Report Issues: Found a bug or something that doesn’t make sense? Let us know!

Getting Started

1. Fork the Repository: Create your own copy of the project.
2. Make Your Changes: Add new content, fix errors, or improve existing guides.
3. Submit a Pull Request: Share your changes with the community.

A Big Thank You!

Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference. Your effort helps make Azure DevOps more accessible to beginners around the world.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s build something amazing together!

Presentation Resources

Want to share your Azure DevOps knowledge with others? We’ve got you covered!

This repository includes a customizable PowerPoint presentation that you can use for meetups, workshops, tech talks, or even team training sessions. It’s designed to be beginner-friendly while covering all the essential Azure DevOps concepts.

What’s Inside?

• PowerPoint Template: A clean template that’s easy to edit.
• Cool Visuals: Visuals to make your talk more engaging.

How to Use It

1. Download the Template: Find it in the /presentation folder.
2. Make It Your Own: Add your own examples, stories or style to the slides.
3. Share Your Knowledge: Use it for meetups, workshops or even internal team training.

This is my way of giving back to the community. So If you’re presenting to a small group or a large audience, this template is here to help you share your knowledge and inspire others.

So go ahead, customize it, and have fun with it!

Conclusion

Wow I have not provided the link repo haha. From beginner-friendly tutorials to tips for troubleshooting common issues, everything is designed to make learning Azure DevOps as easy and fun as possible within this repo.

And the best part? It’s a community effort. Your contributions, feedback and ideas can make this resource better for everyone. So, don’t be shy, fork the repository, explore the content and start your Azure DevOps journey today!

👉 Check out the repository here: Azure DevOps for Beginners

Happy learning. You’ve got this!