Study guide for Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
Purpose of this document
This study guide should help you understand what to expect on the exam and includes a summary of the topics the exam might cover and links to additional resources. The information and materials in this document should help you focus your studies as you prepare for the exam.
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Updates to the exam
Our exams are updated periodically to reflect skills that are required to perform a role.
We always update the English language version of the exam first. Some exams are localized into other languages, and those are updated approximately eight weeks after the English version is updated. Other available languages are listed in the Schedule Exam section of the Exam Details webpage. If the exam isn't available in your preferred language, you can request an additional 30 minutes to complete the exam.
Note
The bullets that follow each of the skills measured are intended to illustrate how we are assessing that skill. Related topics may be covered in the exam.
Note
Most questions cover features that are general availability (GA). The exam may contain questions on Preview features if those features are commonly used.
Skills measured as of October 11, 2024
Audience profile
As a candidate for this exam, you’re responsible for participating in all phases of development, including requirements gathering, design, development, deployment, security, maintenance, performance tuning, and monitoring.
You should be proficient in Azure:
SDK
Data storage options
Data connections
APIs
App authentication and authorization
Compute and container deployment
Debugging
To implement solutions, you partner with:
Cloud solution architects
DBAs
DevOps
Infrastructure admins
Other stakeholders
You should have:
At least two years of programming experience.
Proficiency in programming with Azure SDKs.
Proficiency using Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, and other tools.
Skills at a glance
Develop Azure compute solutions (25–30%)
Develop for Azure storage (15–20%)
Implement Azure security (15–20%)
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions (10–15%)
Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services (20–25%)
Develop Azure compute solutions (25–30%)
Implement containerized solutions
Create and manage container images for solutions
Publish an image to Azure Container Registry
Run containers by using Azure Container Instance
Create solutions by using Azure Container Apps
Implement Azure App Service Web Apps
Create an Azure App Service Web App
Configure and implement diagnostics and logging
Deploy code and containers
Configure settings including Transport Layer Security (TLS), API settings, and service connections
Implement autoscaling
Configure deployment slots
Implement Azure Functions
Create and configure an Azure Functions app
Implement input and output bindings
Implement function triggers by using data operations, timers, and webhooks
Develop for Azure storage (15–20%)
Develop solutions that use Azure Cosmos DB
Perform operations on containers and items by using the SDK
Set the appropriate consistency level for operations
Implement change feed notifications
Develop solutions that use Azure Blob Storage
Set and retrieve properties and metadata
Perform operations on data by using the appropriate SDK
Implement storage policies and data lifecycle management
Implement Azure security (15–20%)
Implement user authentication and authorization
Authenticate and authorize users by using the Microsoft Identity platform
Authenticate and authorize users and apps by using Microsoft Entra ID
Create and implement shared access signatures
Implement solutions that interact with Microsoft Graph
Implement secure Azure solutions
Secure app configuration data by using App Configuration or Azure Key Vault
Develop code that uses keys, secrets, and certificates stored in Azure Key Vault
Implement Managed Identities for Azure resources
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions (10–15%)
Implement caching for solutions
Configure cache and expiration policies for Azure Cache for Redis
Implement secure and optimized application cache patterns including data sizing, connections, encryption, and expiration
Implement Azure Content Delivery Network endpoints and profiles
Troubleshoot solutions by using Application Insights
Monitor and analyze metrics, logs, and traces
Implement Application Insights web tests and alerts
Implement an app or service to use Application Insights
Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services (20–25%)
Implement API Management
Create an Azure API Management instance
Create and document APIs
Configure access to APIs
Implement policies for APIs
Develop event-based solutions
Implement solutions that use Azure Event Grid
Implement solutions that use Azure Event Hub
Develop message-based solutions
Implement solutions that use Azure Service Bus
Implement solutions that use Azure Queue Storage queues
Study resources
We recommend that you train and get hands-on experience before you take the exam. We offer self-study options and classroom training as well as links to documentation, community sites, and videos.
| Study resources | Links to learning and documentation |
|---|---|
| Get trained | Choose from self-paced learning paths and modules or take an instructor-led course |
| Find documentation | Azure documentation Container Registry Container Instances App Service Azure Functions Azure Cosmos DB Blob Storage Microsoft Entra ID Key Vault Azure Cache for Redis API Apps API Management Event Hubs Event Grid Service Bus Messaging Queue Storage |
| Ask a question | Microsoft Q&A | Microsoft Docs |
| Get community support | Azure Community Support |
| Follow Microsoft Learn | Microsoft Learn - Microsoft Tech Community |
| Find a video | Exam Readiness Zone Azure Fridays Browse other Microsoft Learn shows |
Change log
The table below summarizes the changes between the current and previous version of the skills measured. The functional groups are in bold typeface followed by the objectives within each group. The table is a comparison between the previous and current version of the exam skills measured and the third column describes the extent of the changes.
| Skill area prior to October 11, 2024 | Skill area as of October 11, 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Audience profile | Minor | |
| Develop Azure compute solutions | Develop Azure compute solutions | No % change |
| Implement Azure App Service Web Apps | Implement Azure App Service Web Apps | Minor |
| Develop for Azure storage | Develop for Azure storage | No % change |
| Implement Azure security | Implement Azure security | % of exam decreased |
| Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions | Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions | % of exam decreased |
| Troubleshoot solutions by using Application Insights | Troubleshoot solutions by using Application Insights | Minor |
| Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services | Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services | % of exam increased |