If you’ve worked with servers before you know the drill... configure, deploy, manage and scale. But what if you could build applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure? That’s where serverless architecture comes in.
What is Serverless Architecture?
Despite its name serverless architecture doesn’t mean there are no servers. Instead it refers to a cloud based execution model where developers write code and deploy it without managing the infrastructure. The differnt cloud providers handle provisioning, scaling and maintenance.. allowing dev ops teams to focus on building applications instead of managing servers.
Popular serverless platforms include AWS Lambda, Azure Functions and Google Cloud Functions.
So How Does it Work?
Using a traditional server you have to provision resources, configure load balancers, handle scaling with failover and maintain security patches..
With serverless you write and deploy functions that execute on demand. automatically scaling as needed. The cloud provider manages all the backend complexity.
A typical serverless workflow involves
Writing a function with (JavaScript, Python, Go, 'plus many more'.)
Deploying it to a cloud service of your choice.
The function executing when triggered by an event whether it's an API request, a database change or a file upload.
The cloud provider automatically scaling resources and billing you only for the time your function runs..
Selling Points/Key Benefits
Cost Efficiency You’re billed only for execution time. If your function doesn’t run, you don’t pay.
Automatic Scaling Serverless functions scale automatically in response to demand handling thousands of requests effortlessly.
Faster Development & Deployment since infrastructure is out of the way, us developers can focus on writing code and deploying quickly. Forget about provisioning and maintenance your cloud provider handles everything!
Some Ideal Use Cases
Event driven applications like real time file processing, chatbots and IoT data handling.
APIs and microservices or backend logic for mobile and web apps.
Scheduled tasks, automated backups and report generation.
Prototyping and rapid development basically launching MVP's quickly without infrastructure concerns.
If you want to try serverless architecture you can start by experimenting with a cloud provider or maybe try building a simple API with AWS Lambda or automating a task with Azure Functions..
By understanding when and how to use serverless architecture, you can take advantage of its benefits and focus on what truly matters your application’s functionality!
Resources:
AWS Lambda
https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/welcome.html
Serverless Framework
https://www.serverless.com
The Twelve Factor App
https://12factor.net
Google Cloud Functions
https://cloud.google.com/functions/docs
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