Kafka for Developers - Data Contracts Using Schema Registry

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Unlock the power of data contracts in Kafka with this comprehensive course focusing on Schema Registry and AVRO serialization. You'll explore how to create robust data pipelines, ensuring compatibility and scalability across producer-consumer applications. By the end, you'll master tools and techniques that empower efficient data processing with seamless schema evolution. Start with the fundamentals of data serialization in Kafka, diving deep into popular formats like AVRO, Protobuf, and Thrift. Gradually, you'll build hands-on expertise by setting up Kafka in a local environment using Docker, creating custom AVRO schemas, and generating Java records for real-world applications. The course includes practical exercises, such as building an end-to-end Coffee Shop order service and exploring schema evolution strategies in Schema Registry. You'll also learn naming conventions, logical schema types, and compatibility strategies that ensure smooth upgrades in production environments. Designed for software developers and data engineers, this course assumes basic knowledge of Java and Kafka. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your expertise in Kafka and Schema Registry, this course is your gateway to mastering data contracts.