Everything You Need To Know About Serverless Applications

Photo by Vladimir Anikeev on Unsplash

Serverless applications are “functions” that you can set up without worrying about boring stuff like servers and infrastructure.

For example, let’s say you want to create a weather forecast app. In the magical kingdom of serverless, you can create a “weather forecast function” that automatically pulls the latest weather data from a trusted source and sends it to your app’s users. You don’t have to worry about setting up a server or maintaining it — the magical kingdom (the cloud) takes care of everything for you.

So, in a nutshell, serverless applications are a fun and easy way to create and run your custom functions without having to worry about technical details.

Here are a few interesting facts about serverless:

1. Serverless applications are often referred to as “no-ops” because they require little to no operational maintenance from the user. This means that developers can focus on building and improving the application rather than worrying about the underlying infrastructure.
2. Unlike traditional server-based applications, they are charged based on usage rather than a fixed monthly or annual fee. Users only pay for their resources, making serverless applications a more cost-effective option for many organizations.
3. One of the key benefits of serverless applications is their ability to scale to meet demand automatically. This means that users can enjoy the benefits of a highly available and scalable application without the need for complex infrastructure management or configuration.

Where are they used?

Serverless applications are used for many purposes, including web and mobile development, data processing, and real-time event-driven applications. They are often used for applications that require high availability and scalability, such as e-commerce websites, social media platforms, and real-time data analysis.

Serverless applications are handy for businesses that want to quickly and easily deploy new applications without the need for complex infrastructure management. They are also a popular choice for organizations that need to quickly scale their applications to meet sudden spikes in demand, such as during peak shopping seasons or significant events.

How to build a serverless app?

A simple development and deployment lifecycle will look something like this.

1. Identify the problem or opportunity that the serverless application will address. This will help guide the design and development process.
2. Choose a serverless platform, such as AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, or Google Cloud Functions, that will host the application.
3. Create a development environment and set up the necessary tools and dependencies, such as a code editor and the serverless framework.
4. Define the application’s requirements and design the architecture, including the event triggers, functions, and data flows.
5. Develop the application’s functions and test them locally to ensure they work as expected.
6. Deploy the application to the serverless platform and test it in a staging environment.
7. Monitor the application’s performance and make any necessary adjustments to optimize it for production.
8. Deploy the application to production and continue to monitor and optimize it to ensure it meets the needs of users and the business.

There are several ways to learn how to build a serverless application, including online tutorials, courses, and books. Some popular options include:

1. Online tutorials and guides: Many online platforms, such as AWS and Azure, offer free tutorials and directions on how to build serverless applications on their platforms. These resources often provide step-by-step instructions and sample codes to help beginners get started.
2. Courses: There are many online courses and tutorials that teach the fundamentals of serverless computing and how to build serverless applications. Some popular options include Udemy, Coursera, and Pluralsight.
3. Books: Several books provide in-depth coverage of serverless computing and how to build serverless applications. Some popular options include “Serverless Applications with Node.js” by Eirik Vullum and “Serverless Design Patterns and Best Practices” by Arun Gupta.

It is also important to gain hands-on experience by building and deploying serverless applications on a cloud platform, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. This will help develop a deeper understanding of the concepts and provide practical experience with the tools and technologies used in serverless computing.

Some real-world examples

1. Amazon Alexa — Amazon’s popular voice assistant uses serverless applications to process and respond to user requests. The technology allows Alexa to quickly and efficiently handle various tasks, from answering questions to controlling smart home devices.
2. Netflix uses serverless applications to power many core services, such as its recommendation engine and data analytics platform. This allows the company to quickly and efficiently process and analyze large amounts of data to deliver personalized content recommendations to its users.
3. Uber uses serverless applications to power many core services, such as its ride-hailing platform and payment processing system. This allows the company to quickly and easily scale its services to meet the demands of its millions of users worldwide.

Here are some scenarios where there may be better solutions than a serverless application.

1. When the application requires low-latency or real-time communication, such as in gaming or live streaming applications.
2. When the application has a large and constant workload, the unpredictable nature of serverless pricing can make it cost-prohibitive for such applications.
3. When the application requires complex and customized infrastructure, serverless platforms may not offer the level of control and customization needed.
4. When the application requires specialized hardware or software, such as GPUs or specialized databases, these may not be supported by serverless platforms.
5. When the application requires strict compliance with regulations or industry standards, serverless platforms may not offer the security and control needed to meet these requirements.

End Note: This article was weaved together with the help of ChatGPT. If you notice any errors, feel free to contact me.