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Programming languages — the assumed prerequisite

The DevOps roadmap — and this curriculum — assumes you can already read and write code in at least one language. You'll script automation, wire up CI, and read service code every day. Simple Enough works mostly in Python (automation, tooling, glue) and Go (performance-critical services). You don't need to be an expert to start the modules, but if either language is shaky, shore it up here first.

This page isn't a module — there's no gate and nothing to submit. It's a curated shelf of the best places to learn or level up. Cost is tagged Free, Free online (full text/course free on the web), or Paid.

Already fluent in another language? Skim A Tour of Go or the Python Tutorial to map what you know onto SE's two languages, then head to DevOps Foundations. The tool that pins your language versions per-project is mise.

Go

  • Interactive · Learn Go with Tests — Chris James (quii). Learn Go and test-driven development at the same time, entirely hands-on — the one everyone recommends. Free online.
  • Interactive · A Tour of Go — the Go team. The official in-browser intro; run and edit Go without installing anything. Free.
  • Docs · Go by Example — Mark McGranaghan & Eli Bendersky. ~90 annotated example programs — the fastest way to look up "how do I do X in Go." Free.
  • Docs · Effective Go — the Go team. How to write idiomatic Go, not just working Go — read it once you're past the basics. Free.
  • Book · The Go Programming Language — Donovan & Kernighan. The canonical, precise reference (the "K&R of Go") — worth owning. Paid.

Python

  • Book · Automate the Boring Stuff with Python — Al Sweigart. The famous practical on-ramp, aimed squarely at "make the computer do my chores" — full text free online. Free online.
  • Docs · The Python Tutorial — Python Software Foundation. The official, authoritative introduction to the language. Free.
  • Course · Real Python — Real Python. Consistently high-quality tutorials, from basics to packaging, testing, and async. Free / Paid.
  • Book · Fluent Python (2nd ed.) — Luciano Ramalho. Takes you from competent to fluent — the data model, iterators, and concurrency done right. Paid.