ByteBucket: A Hands-On Workshop to Understand Cloud Storage Using an S3 Clone

ByteBucket: Storage On Hands was a technical, hands-on workshop designed to help students and developers understand cloud storage beyond theory. Instead of relying only on slides, participants worked directly with a custom-built S3 clone to experience how object storage systems function in real time. The session covered core AWS concepts including Amazon S3 fundamentals, cloud service interactions, API-based storage operations, and permission-driven access control. Attendees created and managed storage buckets, uploaded and deleted objects, and explored how READ, WRITE, and DELETE permissions affect access. Live demonstrations showcased how cloud storage integrates with real-world applications, reinforcing best practices around security and scalability. This workshop aimed to build practical cloud intuition and align with the learning-by-doing philosophy encouraged by the AWS Community Builder Program.