Google Cloud Computing for Beginners (Paperback)

Paperback. Cloud computing has become the foundation of modern digital systems, yet the volume of services, acronyms, and architectural choices on Google Cloud can feel overwhelming to newcomers. Moving from curiosity to competent practice requires a clear path through the platform's core building blocks. Google Cloud Computing for Beginners is a practical, step-by-step introduction to building, managing, and optimizing infrastructure on Google Cloud in 2026. It begins with the global infrastructure, resource hierarchy, Console and gcloud CLI, IAM fundamentals, and billing practices that form the foundation of every project. Compute options are covered in depth, comparing Compute Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, and Cloud Run so readers understand where different workloads belong. Networking chapters explain Virtual Private Clouds, firewalls, load balancing, and hybrid connectivity. Storage and databases receive focused treatment, from Cloud Storage and Cloud SQL to Spanner, Firestore, and Bigtable, along with practical guidance on selecting the right option. A dedicated section explores Vertex AI, Gemini models, prompt practices, agentic workflows, and retrieval-augmented generation. Security is treated as a continuous theme, covering least privilege, Zero Trust with BeyondCorp and Identity-Aware Proxy, workload identity, and the Security Command Center. Later chapters address observability with Cloud Logging and Monitoring, Infrastructure as Code with Terraform, automation patterns, and the FinOps practices needed to control cost while scaling. Throughout, the emphasis remains on understanding real architectural decisions rather than isolated console clicks. Written for aspiring engineers, administrators, and technical professionals who want a structured, hands-on path into Google Cloud. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. …