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Complete Guide to Protocol Buffers 3 [Java, Golang, Python]

3h 53m 59s
English
Paid
Updated September 2026

Complete Guide to Protocol Buffers 3 [Java, Golang, Python] is a 64-lesson 3 hours 53 minutes self-paced course by Udemy. Protocol Buffers underpin how many large-scale systems move data between services efficiently, and this course — taught by Stephane Maarek, known for his Apache Kafka and AWS courses — covers protobuf 3 in depth across 64 hands-on lessons…

Course facts

Lessons
64
Duration
3 hours 53 minutes
Level
All levels
Language
English
Updated
2026-09-11
Instructor
Udemy
Price
Premium

Protocol Buffers underpin how many large-scale systems move data between services efficiently, and this course — taught by Stephane Maarek, known for his Apache Kafka and AWS courses — covers protobuf 3 in depth across 64 hands-on lessons.

What you'll do

  • Write simple and complex .proto files
  • Use imports and packages correctly
  • Generate code automatically with protoc, instead of hand-writing boilerplate
  • Implement Protocol Buffers in Java, with concepts that carry over to Python and Go
  • Move into advanced protobuf concepts through practice exercises

Some prior programming experience and familiarity with JSON or XML is assumed, since the course frames protobuf as a faster, more structured replacement for both when building efficient APIs.

In just a few hours, you will know everything you need to know to create simple and complex .proto files, and write code in your Favourite Programming language such as Java, Python and Go. Protocol Buffers generates all the boilerplate code for you!

Stop using XML and JSON and start using a Data Format that will allow you to create the most efficient APIs. 

Complete Guide to Protocol Buffers 3 is the best way to get a great overview of all the possibilities offered by Protocol Buffers

> Write simple and complex .proto files
> Practice Exercises to Confirm the learnings
> Leverage Imports and Packages appropriately
> Generate Code using `protoc`
> Code in Java with Protocol Buffers
> Learn about advanced Protocol Buffers concepts

Note: This course assumes you have some knowledge about Programming and JSON / XML

Instructor

Stephane Maarek is the instructor of this course. He is the author of highly successful courses such as Apache Kafka Series and AWS Series. He is passionate about micro-services and data. He has already taught to 40000+ students and received 12000+ reviews.

He shares all his Data knowledge on the platform, taking the time to explain every concept and provide students with both theoretical and practical dimensions. You are in good hands!

Section outline:

  • Protocol Buffers Course Introduction: Get an understand of the course objectives, how the course is structured, download the course code and get ready!

  • Protocol Buffers Basics I: Learn how to create your first messages using Scalar Types. Practice with 5 exercises

  • Protocol Buffers Basics II: Learn how to create complex messages, and organise your code in different files and packages. Practice with 4 exercises

  • Setting up Protoc Compiler: Setup the protoc compiler and learn how to generate code in any language

  • Java Programming with Protocol Buffers: Write your Protocol Buffers Data in Java

  • Golang Programming with Protocol Buffers: Write your Protocol Buffers Data in Golang

  • Data Evolution with Protobuf: Evolve your protocol buffers file in a safe way in order to add or remove fields without breaking previous code

  • Protocol Buffers Advanced: Advanced Types in Protocol Buffers as well as Options, Integer Types, and an introduction to RPC Services with gRPC

This is the course that could change your data skills.  

Learning and getting hands-on on Protocol Buffers helps you to enhance your career opportunities and helps to boost your income. An investment in your career is an investment in yourself.  Don’t procrastinate. There is no time like the present to take charge of your career. Take your career to the next level by learning Protocol Buffers today!

Requirements:
  • Some programming background (Java, Python or Go for example)
  • Previous experience with other formats such as XML or JSON is preferred

Who this course is for:

  • Developers who want to understand how to write .proto files and write code to create Protocol Buffer data
  • Architects who want to understand how Protocol Buffers works and be useful for their solution archicture

What you'll learn:

  • Write simple and complex .proto files
  • Practice Exercises to Confirm the Learnings
  • Leverage Imports and Packages appropriately
  • Generate Code using `protoc` in any language
  • Code in Java with Protocol Buffers
  • Understand how Data Evolution works for Protobuf
  • Learn about advanced Protocol Buffers concepts

Who teaches Complete Guide to Protocol Buffers 3 [Java, Golang, Python]? Udemy

Udemy thumbnail

Udemy is the largest open marketplace for online courses on the internet. Founded in 2010 by Eren Bali, Oktay Caglar, and Gagan Biyani and headquartered in San Francisco, the company went public on the Nasdaq in 2021 under the ticker UDMY. The platform hosts well over two hundred thousand courses across software development, IT and cloud, data science, design, business, marketing, and creative skills, taught by tens of thousands of independent instructors. Roughly seventy million learners use it worldwide, and the corporate arm — Udemy Business — supplies a curated subset of that catalog to enterprise customers.

Because Udemy is a marketplace rather than a single editorial publisher, the catalog is uneven by design. The strongest material lives in the long-form, project-based courses authored by working engineers — full-stack JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python data science, AWS, Docker and Kubernetes, mobile development with Flutter and React Native, and cloud certification preparation. The CourseFlix listing under this source is the slice of that catalog that has been mirrored here for offline-friendly viewing, organized by topic and updated as new releases land. Pricing on Udemy itself swings dramatically with the site's near-permanent sales, which is why the platform is best treated as a deep reference catalog: pick instructors with strong reviews and a track record of updating their material rather than buying on the headline price alone.

What lessons are included in Complete Guide to Protocol Buffers 3 [Java, Golang, Python]?

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#1: Why Protocol Buffers?
All Course Lessons (64)
#Lesson TitleDurationAccess
1
Why Protocol Buffers? Demo
09:38
2
How are Protocol Buffers used?
02:53
3
Course Structure
01:34
4
About your instructor
00:50
5
Important Message
00:29
6
First Message
00:59
7
Defaults
00:38
8
Scalar Types
04:42
9
Tags
02:04
10
Repeated Fields
01:11
11
Enumerations (Enums)
02:19
12
Comments
02:34
13
Solution to Practice Exercises I
04:03
14
Defining Multiple Messages in the Same File
01:50
15
Nesting Messages
01:55
16
Imports
01:41
17
Packages
01:59
18
All in One Proto File
04:12
19
Nested Messages
05:38
20
Imports
03:37
21
Packages
03:06
22
Using Protoc
02:43
23
Gradle Project Setup & Code Generation
06:40
24
Simple Message Creation in Java
04:25
25
Creating a Complex Message in Java
05:21
26
Dealing with Enums in Java
04:11
27
Dealing with Maps in Java
04:21
28
Dealing with OneOfs in Java
05:14
29
Serializing/Deserializing (Binary)
05:41
30
Serializing/Deserializing (JSON)
06:53
31
Java Options
04:18
32
Code generation in Golang
03:17
33
Simple Proto Struct in Golang
04:48
34
Complex Proto Struct in Golang
04:34
35
Enum Proto Struct in Golang
04:20
36
Handling OneOfs in Golang
05:09
37
Handling Maps in Golang
03:22
38
Reading and Writing to Disk
08:34
39
Reading and Writing to JSON
10:42
40
Code generation in Python
03:17
41
Simple Proto Message in Python
03:10
42
Complex Proto Message in Python
03:50
43
Enum Proto Message in Python
04:10
44
Handling OneOfs in Python
03:17
45
Handling Maps in Python
03:10
46
Reading and Writing to Disk
04:28
47
Reading and Writing to JSON
05:56
48
The Need for Updating Schemas
02:24
49
Rules for Data Evolution
01:45
50
Renaming Fields
01:21
51
Removing Fields
01:44
52
Reserved Keyword
01:07
53
Beware of Defaults
02:11
54
--decode_raw Option
06:07
55
--decode Option
03:25
56
--encode Option
03:57
57
Integer Types Deep Dive
04:32
58
Advanced Data Types (oneof, map, Timestamp and Duration)
01:56
59
Protocol Buffers Options
02:43
60
Naming Conventions
02:25
61
Services
01:22
62
Introduction to gRPC (from gRPC Course)
06:08
63
Protocol Buffers Internals
04:09
64
What's next & Congratulations!
03:00
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Frequently asked questions

What prerequisites are needed before taking this course?
This course doesn't explicitly list any prerequisites, but a basic understanding of programming in Java, Golang, or Python would be beneficial. Familiarity with data serialization concepts might also help, especially since Protocol Buffers is a data serialization format used widely in micro-services.
What projects or exercises will I work on during the course?
The course includes several hands-on exercises such as creating simple and complex messages in Java, Golang, and Python, dealing with enums, maps, and OneOfs, and practicing serialization and deserialization in both binary and JSON formats. These practical lessons help reinforce the theoretical aspects of Protocol Buffers.
Who is the target audience for this course?
The course is designed for Data Engineers and software developers who are interested in learning about efficient data serialization using Protocol Buffers. It is suitable for professionals working in environments where micro-services and data exchange between systems are common.
Does the course cover deployment or integration with specific platforms?
The course primarily focuses on Protocol Buffers and its implementation in Java, Golang, and Python. It doesn't specifically cover deployment or integration with cloud platforms or other specific deployment environments.
How does the depth of this course compare to other data serialization courses?
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Protocol Buffers 3, covering a wide range of topics from basic message creation to advanced data types and schema evolution. It offers detailed lessons on using protoc, handling different data types, and reading/writing data, making it comprehensive for those focused on mastering Protocol Buffers specifically.
What is not covered in this course that I might need for a comprehensive understanding of Protocol Buffers?
The course does not cover other serialization formats like JSON or XML in-depth beyond their relation to Protocol Buffers. It also does not delve into specific platform integrations or deployment strategies, focusing instead on the core functionalities and applications of Protocol Buffers.
What is the estimated time commitment for this course?
The course includes 64 lessons, but the total runtime isn't specified. Given the number of lessons and the hands-on nature of the content, students should expect to dedicate several hours to complete it, allowing time for both lectures and practical exercises.