AWS CloudFormation Master Class v2
Course Overview & Key Highlights
Course introduction
AWS CloudFormation Master Class v2 (2024), taught by Stephane Maarek, is a hands-on infrastructure-as-code course designed to help you write, deploy, and manage complete AWS CloudFormation templates using YAML.
Updated with modern CloudFormation features, this course takes you from core concepts to advanced production-grade techniques such as nested stacks, StackSets, drift detection, CI/CD deployments, and custom resources. It’s ideal for AWS users who want full control over infrastructure automation.
Course facts at a glance
- Instructor: Stephane Maarek
- Last updated: May 2024
- Duration: ~6.5 hours (6h 46m total)
- Rating: ⭐ 4.6 / 5
- Students: 70,000+
- Language: English
- Access: Lifetime (mobile + TV)
- Certificate: Udemy Certificate of Completion
- Typical sale price: ~US$6–10 (varies by promotion)
Key highlights
- Write complete CloudFormation templates in YAML
- Learn parameters, mappings, conditions, outputs & rules
- Use advanced resource controls like DependsOn, DeletionPolicy & UpdatePolicy
- Master nested stacks, StackSets, and drift detection
- Deploy safely using ChangeSets, rollback & stack policies
- Implement CI/CD with CodePipeline
- Build custom resources using Lambda & SNS
- Understand modern features like dynamic references & resource imports
- Intro to SAM, CDK, and CloudFormation Macros
- Apply real-world best practices & template validation
What you will learn
CloudFormation fundamentals
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) concepts
- YAML syntax for CloudFormation templates
- Parameters, mappings, pseudo-parameters & outputs
Advanced template design
- Conditions, rules, metadata & CFN-Init
- Resource dependencies and lifecycle controls
- Cross-stack references and modular design
Enterprise-grade deployments
- Nested stacks and StackSets
- Drift detection and stack governance
- Safe deployments using ChangeSets & rollback strategies
Automation & CI/CD
- Continuous delivery with AWS CodePipeline
- Service roles and stack policies
- Template validation and deployment automation
Extensibility & modern tools
- Custom resources with Lambda & SNS
- Dynamic references and resource imports
- Introduction to SAM (Serverless) and CDK
- Using CloudFormation macros
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q — Is this course beginner-friendly?
It’s best for users with basic AWS knowledge. Some familiarity with YAML or JSON helps.
Q — Does it cover advanced CloudFormation features?
Yes. The course covers enterprise-level features like StackSets, drift detection, and custom resources.
Q — Will I learn real-world deployment practices?
Yes. The course emphasizes safe deployments, CI/CD integration, and production best practices.
Q — Is a certificate included?
Yes. You receive a Udemy Certificate of Completion.
Why this course is worth it
CloudFormation remains one of the most powerful and reliable ways to manage AWS infrastructure. This course teaches not just syntax, but how CloudFormation is used in real production environments, including automation, governance, and scaling across accounts and regions.
Stephane Maarek’s structured explanations make complex infrastructure concepts easy to follow and apply.
Final verdict
If you want to master AWS infrastructure automation using CloudFormation, this course is a strong choice. It’s concise, practical, and covers everything from core YAML templates to advanced enterprise deployment strategies.
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