Ask HN: Where do I learn about the working of Web applications on the cloud?

[ARR]

When I starting using Heroku, I was desperately trying to understand what the dyno(s) are and how the processes work. While I can write web applications in python .etc., I only understand the obvious from the functioning of these "cloud application platforms" and I feel it is not enough at all. Similarly for Node.js.

Could you direct me towards some good books and/or resources which talks about these things?

[mryan]

If I understand correctly, you want to learn more about the processes Heroku handles on your behalf? There are a few things you could do to get more familiar with the underlying tech:

) Deploy your application to AWS instead of Heroku. This will give you more understanding of what "magic" Heroku does on your behalf. Start with EC2, then build up to Elastic Beanstalk, which is rather similar to Heroku's offering. Also learn about Elastic Load Balancers and Auto Scaling.

) Learn the Xen hypervisor if you want to know what AWS is doing under the hood.

) Cloud Application Architectures is an interesting read - http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Application-Architectures-Applic...

) AWS System Administration will also (hopefully) be an interesting read, but I need to finish writing it first :P

[ARR → mryan]

Thanks for the heading! I will try out AWS (after I can find a working payment method) and read up on the topics you mentioned. I think my thought process falls broadly under: "Where/what do I start learning for making such a system myself?"