DevOps Roadmap 2026.

This is a step-by-step guide on how to become a DevOps engineer, with links to relevant learning resources.

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Disclaimer

The purpose of this roadmap is to give you an idea about the landscape. The road map will guide you if you are confused about what to learn next, rather than encouraging you to pick what is hype and trendy. You should grow some understanding of why one tool would be better suited for some cases than the other and remember that hype and trendy do not always mean best suited for the job.

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DevOps Roadmap

Here is the complete DevOps roadmap.

PDF version

Download PDF version.

Table of Contents

• Learning resources for DevOps Engineers (mostly free)
  • 1. GIT
  • 2. Learn one programming language
  • 3. Learn Linux & Scripting
  • 4. Learn Networking & Security
  • 5. Learn Server Management
  • 6. Learn Containers
  • 7. Learn Container Orchestration
  • 8. Learn Infrastructure as a code (X as Code)
  • 9. Learn CI/CD
  • 10. Learn Monitoring & Observability
  • 11. Learn one Cloud provider
  • 12. Learn Software Engineering Practices
  • Bonus: Learn DevSecOps Fundamentals
• Additional resources
  • Tools
  • Books

Learning resources for DevOps Engineers (mostly free)

1. GIT

All your resources (files) will be held in a GIT repository. Those files are application code but also infrastructure as a code.

Git is a free tool used for source code management. Git is used to tracking changes in the source code, enabling multiple developers to work together on non-linear development.

The two most popular Git platforms are GitLab and GitHub.

Here you need to learn Git commands, like git clone, branch, merge, and how to collaborate on a project with pull requests.

Resources:

• Pro Git Book ^FREE
• Learn Git by Atlassian ^FREE
• Learn Git Branching ^FREE
• Learn Git & GitHub on CodeAcademy ^FREE
• Git Command Explorer ^FREE
• Git Immersion ^FREE
• A Visual Git Reference ^FREE
• Git & GitHub Tutorial ^FREE
• Advanced Git Tutorial ^FREE

2. Learn one programming language

As an engineer, it is recommended to know at least one programming language that you can use to write automation scripts.

Some popular programming languages for DevOps-es are Python, Go, and JavaScript.

Python is a multi-paradigm language. Being an interpreted language, code is executed as soon as it is written, and the syntax allows for writing code in different ways. Python is frequently recommended as the first language new coders should learn, because of its focus on readability, consistency, and ease of use.

Here you need to learn basic concepts of programming languages, such as syntax, if/else, loops, data structures, etc.

Resources:

• Python:
  • Automate the Boring Stuff with Python book ^FREE
  • Python Crash Course ^FREE
• JavaScript:
  • The Modern JavaScript Tutorial ^FREE
  • JavaScript Crash Course For Beginners ^FREE
  • Eloquent JavaScript, 3rd edition, Marjin Haverbeke ^{FREE book}
• Go
  • Go by Example ^FREE
  • Learn Go with Tests ^FREE

3. Learn Linux & Scripting

An Operating system serves as a bridge between a computer's user and its hardware. Its function is to offer a setting in which a user can conveniently and effectively run programs.

As most servers use Linux OS, you need to make yourself comfortable with Linux and its CLI.

Learn basic commands, such as: ls, cd, mkdir, rm, cp, mv, touch, cat, printenv, grep, find, chmod, chmod, ps, kill, top, df, du, tar, gzip, ssh, scp, wget, curl, etc.

One easy-to-start distribution is Ubuntu.

In addition, you need to know scripting to automate tasks for development and operations.

Here you can learn OS-specific languages, such as Bash or Powershell, or independent, like Python or Go.

Resources:

• Operating System - Overview ^FREE
• Shell Scripting Tutorial ^FREE
• Powershell Tutorial for Beginners: Learn Powershell Scripting ^FREE
• Bash Reference Manual ^FREE
• Ultimate Guide: Getting Started With Ubuntu ^FREE
• FreeBSD Handbook ^FREE
• Linux command handbook ^FREE
• Linux commands for Cloud and Devops engineers ^FREE

4. Learn Networking & Security

A network protocol is an established set of rules that determine how data is transmitted between different devices in the same network. Essentially, it allows connected devices to communicate with each other, regardless of any differences in their internal processes, structure, or design.

Here you will need to know how a network works, how to configure firewalls, understand how DNS works, OSI model, IP addresses, ports, etc.

Resources:

• OSI Model Explained ^FREE
• Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach ^book Video Content^video
• TCP/IP and Networking Fundamentals for IT Pros ^{Pluralsight course}
• DevSecOps : Master Securing CI/CD | DevOps Pipeline ^{Udemy course}
• Hands-On Security in DevOps: Ensure continuous security, deployment, and delivery with DevSecOps ^Book
• Securing DevOps: Security in the Cloud ^Book
• Professor Messers Network+ course ^FREE
• How DNS works
• How DNSSEC works
• How HTTPS works

5. Learn Server Management

Server management includes all the infrastructure monitoring and maintenance required for servers to operate reliably and at optimal performance levels. The primary goals of an effective server management strategy are to:

• Minimize server slowdowns and downtime while maximizing reliability.
• Build secure server environments.
• Scale servers and related operations to meet the needs of the organization over time.

Here you will need to know what is forward and reverse proxies, caching servers, and how to operate Web Servers, such as Nginx, Apache, or IIS.

Resources:

• What is a reverse proxy? ^FREE
• What is a CDN edge server?? ^FREE
• Cache Server ^FREE
• [Reverse Proxy vs. Forward Proxy: The Dif