7 Top Courses for Learning gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers in 2023
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In the quest to master gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers, you have landed in the right spot. Previously, I shared some of the top courses for Microservices, and now I’m excited to present you with the best online programs focused on gRPC and Google Protobuf. These technologies are essential for developing advanced Microservices and distributed applications.
If you keep up with technology, you may have heard of gRPC, which stands for Google Remote Procedure Call. It has become a hot topic in tech discussions, generating considerable excitement.
The enthusiasm stems from its association with Google, similar to other innovative technologies like Angular, Golang, Flutter, Dart, and TensorFlow. For those unfamiliar, gRPC is a high-speed, efficient RPC system designed to facilitate the development of distributed systems, such as Microservices.
This means you can leverage gRPC for rapid communication between your Microservices. Just like traditional RPC solutions, it enables a client application to invoke server methods as if they were local.
The server outlines the service and specifies which methods can be called remotely, along with their parameters and return types. It then provides the implementation and an RPC server to handle client requests.
This RPC server is responsible for converting data into a byte format (serialization) for transmission to the server, which then sends the response back to the client. The client code interacts with the RPC framework without needing to understand the underlying details.
One of the most impressive aspects is that clients and servers can be built using different technologies. For instance, you could develop the server in Java or C++ and the client in Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Golang, Dart, or any other language of your choice.
In gRPC, the serialization process utilizes Google Protocol Buffers, often referred to as proto. While this is the standard, other formats like JSON can also be used for data exchange between client and server.
The gRPC protocol operates over HTTP/2, taking advantage of various features like header compression, persistent single TCP connections, and timeout contracts between clients and servers. It supports two types of client-server communication: unary and streaming.
Unary communication involves an asynchronous request that waits for a response. In contrast, streaming allows both the client and server to send messages simultaneously, enabling a two-way flow of data within the same method.
Another advantage of gRPC is that the latest Google APIs will support it, making it easier to create clients using this protocol. If you’re eager to delve deeper into gRPC and seek quality resources, you’re in the right place.
7 Best Online Courses for gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers in 2023
I often emphasize that enrolling in an online course is one of the best ways to learn a new technology. It alleviates initial hurdles by providing support, allowing you to witness live demonstrations that clarify both high-level concepts and intricate details.
It's been a while since I discussed Google Protocol Buffers and their potential as an alternative serialization method in Java, but the wait is over. Here, I will share some of the top courses available to learn gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers for programmers.
These courses will provide a thorough understanding of both gRPC and Google Protobuf. Without further ado, here’s my curated list of the best online courses for programmers and software developers.
1. Complete Guide to Protocol Buffers 3 [Java, Golang, Python]
Before diving into gRPC, it’s crucial to understand Google’s Protocol Buffers. This course, created by Stephane Maarek, is an excellent resource for mastering Google Protocol Buffers. Having previously taken Stephane’s AWS courses, I was thrilled to discover this gem focused on gRPC.
Protocol Buffers (protobuf) is a fundamental data serialization format that every programmer should be familiar with. Many leading tech firms, including Google, use it to facilitate safe and efficient data transfer in Microservices.
In this course, you will learn Google Protobuf through examples and exercises, coding in Java, Python, and Golang, while gaining an in-depth understanding of gRPC via hands-on lectures covering all aspects of Protocol Buffers 3.
Here’s the link to enroll in this course — Complete Guide to Protocol Buffers 3 [Java, Golang, Python]
Upon completion, you will be equipped to create both simple and complex .proto files and write code in your preferred programming language like Java, Python, and Go. In summary, this is an outstanding course for learning gRPC from a distinguished instructor.
2. The Complete Guide To gRPC + Protobuf [Java + Spring Boot]
This newly launched Udemy course covers gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers using Java and Spring Boot. Created by Vinoth Selvaraj, it teaches you to build next-generation Microservices utilizing gRPC and Protobuf.
Here are the topics you will explore in this Udemy gRPC course: - Comprehensive gRPC from scratch - Spring Boot Integration - Inter-microservice communication - Unary, Client Streaming, Server Streaming & Bi-Directional Streaming APIs - Load Balancing - Interceptors - Protocol Buffers / Protobuf - SSL / TLS
After completing this course, you will be well-versed in gRPC, all types of RPCs, and Protocol Buffers / Protobuf from the ground up for designing your classes.
Here’s the link to enroll in this course — The Complete Guide To gRPC + Protobuf [Java + Spring Boot]
3. gRPC [Java] Master Class: Build Modern API & Microservices
Now that you're familiar with Google Protocol Buffers and their application in data transmission between Microservices, it's time to learn how to develop server-side code using gRPC.
This course stands out as one of the best options for Java developers seeking to learn gRPC. It focuses on building a fast and scalable HTTP/2 API for your microservice architecture utilizing gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers (protobuf).
Initially, you will learn about gRPC and its functionality, followed by creating service definitions using .proto files and implementing various API types: unary, server streaming, client streaming, and bi-directional streaming.
You will also grasp the distinctions between gRPC and REST API paradigms and the benefits offered by the gRPC framework. Furthermore, you will cover advanced concepts such as error handling and SSL security.
Overall, this is a comprehensive course designed for Java developers aiming to create modern APIs and high-performance Microservices.
Here’s the link to enroll in this gRPC course — gRPC [Java] Master Class: Build Modern API & Microservices
4. The Complete gRPC Course 2023 [Golang + Java + Protobuf]
This is another exceptional gRPC course aimed at Java and Golang developers, presented by TECH SCHOOL. It will guide you in creating efficient, production-grade APIs for your microservices and mobile applications.
The course begins with an introduction to gRPC, its functionality, its advantages, and its suitability, along with a comparison to REST. It also provides an overview of the HTTP/2 protocol that underlies gRPC.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this gRPC course: - Writing and serializing protocol-buffer messages using Go and Java - Defining gRPC services with protocol-buffer and generating Go and Java codes - Implementing four types of gRPC using Go and Java: unary, server-streaming, client-streaming, and bidirectional streaming - Handling context deadlines, gRPC errors, and status codes - Developing a production-grade application with interfaces and unit tests for gRPC services - Using gRPC interceptors for user authentication and authorization with JWT - Securing gRPC connections with server-side and mutual SSL/TLS
You will also learn to enable gRPC reflections for service discovery, load balancing for gRPC services, and how to use gRPC gateway to generate RESTful services and swagger APIs, making this one of the most comprehensive gRPC courses for Java and Golang developers on Udemy.
Here’s the link to enroll in this comprehensive gRPC course — The Complete gRPC Course 2023 [Golang + Java + Protobuf]
5. Enhancing Application Communication with gRPC
Over the years, various methods have been developed to enable communication between software written in different programming languages. The two primary approaches that have emerged are RESTful services (often using JSON) and RPC (remote procedure calls) employing various transmission techniques.
In this course, you will explore the gRPC framework that Google utilizes for much of its inter-service communication. You will begin by covering the components of a gRPC application.
Next, you’ll learn how to use protocol buffers to define gRPC services.
Finally, you will create gRPC clients and servers using C#, Java, Node.js, and Go. By the end of this course, you will be adept at implementing gRPC in your distributed system applications.
Here’s the link to enroll in this course — Enhancing Application Communication with gRPC
6. gRPC [Golang] Master Class: Build Modern API and Microservices
This course offers an opportunity to build a fast, scalable HTTP/2 API for a Golang microservice using gRPC and Protocol Buffers (protobuf), making it a superior alternative to REST APIs.
gRPC is a modern framework embraced by numerous leading tech companies, including Google, Square, and Netflix. It allows developers to write microservices in any preferred language while facilitating seamless communication between them, relying on Google Protocol Buffers for transport and service definition.
In this hands-on course, you will cover all essential aspects required to get started with gRPC. You will implement two services: Greet and Calculator, ensuring ample practical exercises to solidify your newly acquired skills.
Here’s the link to enroll in this course — gRPC [Golang] Master Class: Build Modern API and Microservices
7. gRPC C# Master Class: Build Modern API & Microservices
For C# developers eager to learn gRPC, this hands-on course is a fantastic choice. You will gain knowledge on creating a fast, scalable HTTP/2 API for a .NET microservice using gRPC and Protocol Buffers (protobuf).
Led by Stephane Maarek, this course covers all foundational aspects necessary for C# developers to get started with gRPC. You will develop two services: Greet and Calculator.
Upon completion, you will know how to write .proto files, generate code in your preferred programming language, and implement services, servers, and clients in .NET.
In summary, this is the ideal course for C# and .NET developers looking to learn gRPC.
Here’s the link to enroll in this course — gRPC C# Master Class: Build Modern API & Microservices
In conclusion, these are the top online courses for mastering gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers in Java, C#, and Golang. As highlighted, gRPC from Google offers high-performance communication between microservices, making it particularly well-suited for cloud and distributed application development.
If you're aiming to learn a new technology this year, I recommend exploring gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers in your preferred programming languages like Java, Python, Golang, or C#.
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Thank you for reading this article. If you find these courses beneficial for learning gRPC and Google Protocol Buffers, please share them with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out.
P.S. — If you’re new to the Java and Microservices domain and seek online courses to start learning Java and Microservices using a well-established framework like Spring Boot, check out this list of Java Microservices with Spring Boot courses to kickstart your journey.