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Robert Grootjen
Robert Grootjen

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What is Google Cloud Functions (simplified)?

Google Cloud Functions is a service that runs specific code (a function) in response to events, without needing to keep servers running all the time.

Key features:

Event-driven: Functions are triggered or executed through HTTP requests, changes in database, or uploads to cloud storage

Scalability: Functions scales automatically based on incoming requests

Serverless: No need to manage servers

A Simple Metaphor to Understand Google Cloud Functions:

Imagine you run a bakery.

In this bakery, you have a bell that rings whenever a customer enters, signaling the bakers to start baking a specific type of pastry based on the customer's request.

The Bell: This is like the event trigger in Google Cloud Functions. It could be an HTTP request, a new file uploaded to cloud storage, or a database update.

The Bakers: These are like the cloud functions. They are small, specific tasks (functions) that get executed in response to the bell ringing (event).

The Recipe: This is the code you write for your function, dictating what the bakers should do when the bell rings.

The Bakery Manager: This is Google Cloud, managing the bakers (functions). You don’t worry about hiring more bakers (scaling), ensuring they have the ingredients (resources), or dealing with their schedules (server management). The manager takes care of everything so that the right number of bakers are always ready to respond to the bell.

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