Introduction
DevOps engineers love Helm because it leverages Kubernetes packages through a single CLI command. Working with Helm, however, can be a challenge. Using the system involves templating Helm charts, making it difficult to develop and debug applications with multiple K8s resources.
Thankfully, you can use a Helm tutorial to understand the basics of the system before graduating to more complicated concepts. There are loads of Helm tutorials across the web that tell you how to create Helm charts and patterns, improve security, and execute more advanced DevOps. Here are nine Helm tutorials you need to know about.
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1. An Introduction to Helm
Brought to you by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, this Helm tutorial on YouTube covers the basics of the system in less than 40 minutes. You'll learn more about Helm packages and the makeup of Helm charts before exploring the different ways to consume and share charts. Finally, discover how to install and manage charts in a Kubernetes cluster. This primer to Helm is not only great for beginners but helps advanced DevOps engineers brush up on their K8s skills.
2. What is a Helm Chart? A Tutorial for Kubernetes Beginners
freeCodeCamp — a non-profit that helps people learn to code for free — takes a deep dive into Helm charts in this free tutorial. You'll learn more about Helm, why developers created it, and why you should use it in your organization. Then, the tutorial explains how to make and host Helm charts with easy step-by-step instructions. This quick jargon-free introduction to Helm is a great resource for beginners to the system.
freeCodeCamp also has other tutorials that cover Helm-related topics.
3. What is Helm?
Sometimes, you need to go back to basics and understand how Helm works before templating charts. IBM Technology has a 9-minute tutorial on YouTube that introduces you to Helm and walks you through typical scenarios where you might need to use the system. You'll also learn how to define, manage, and deploy different services and applications in Kubernetes on a lightboard.
4. Using Helm and Kubernetes
Many developers struggle with Helm because they don't understand its architecture. In this Helm tutorial from Baeldung, you'll learn the "internal plumbing" within the system before learning the differences between charts, releases, and repositories. After that, discover how to install Helm properly with a package manager, find out how to create your first chart and template, and read more about Helm values. This tutorial also covers chart management, chart distribution, Helm upgrades, and migration from Helm 2 to Helm 3.
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5. What is Helm in Kubernetes? Helm and Helm Charts Explained
In one of the most-watched Helm tutorials on YouTube, TechWorld with Nana breaks down almost every aspect of Helm and how the package manager works in the real world. The video covers topics like templating engines, use cases for Helm, Helm chart structure, release management, and values injection into template files. You'll also hear about some of the downsides of Helm and how the system might not be the best choice for every single DevOps engineer. If you want to learn more about Helm, this video is well worth a watch.
6. Helm, with Matt Butcher
Although not technically a Helm tutorial, this episode of Google's Kubernetes Podcast features an interview with Helm's creator and primary architect Matt Butcher. During the 45-minute broadcast, you'll hear how Matt brought Helm to fruition, the challenges of creating such a system, and what to expect from this package manager in the future.
7. Helm Tutorial — Crash Course in 15 Minutes
Can you really learn Helm in just 15 minutes? YouTube content creator Genka thinks so. Throughout this video, you'll find out how to install, upgrade, roll back, and uninstall various Helm releases. Then you'll hear more about Helm repositories, how to package a Helm chart, and what you need to do to show, reset, and override values.
8. How to Make Helm a Chart in 10 Minutes
If you can learn Helm in 15 minutes, can you make a chart in ten? Opensource.com, supported by Red Hat, walks you through chart creation with simple examples. Discover how to examine a chart's structure, understand and edit values, make basic configurations, and learn about accounts, security, and networking.
9. Delve into Helm: Advanced DevOps
Once you have mastered the basics of Helm, you'll want to progress to more advanced concepts. This YouTube tutorial, also from the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, helps you navigate the complexities of the package manager and achieve better DevOps outcomes. The video focuses on continuous delivery and lifecycle management of applications native to Kubernetes in various environments. If you want to play with Helm plugins and add-ons or create more sophisticated charts, this is the Helm tutorial for you.
Final Word
These Helm tutorials run the gamut from chart creation and management to more complex concepts like continuous delivery. Whether you are new to Helm or have used the system for some time, many of these resources will help you learn new skills or brush up on old ones.
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