Workshop: Learn How to Build and Run Your Backend App Using the Cloud - Interview with Iris Hunkeler Part II
What are the advantages of using cloud services to build a backend app? What job opportunities can this skill be useful for?
“There is a high demand in the job market for cloud engineers and cloud architects.”
Welcome to the second part of our exclusive interview with Iris, a passionate Software Engineer with extensive experience in launching software solutions for clients in public administration, e-commerce, and banking. Throughout her career, Iris has excelled in Backend development using languages like Kotlin and Java, as well as technologies such as AWS and Machine Learning. In addition to her technical skills, Iris has also held various roles including Scrum Master, Project Manager, Business Analyst, and Requirements Engineer.
Continuing from our previous interview, this second part aims to provide further insights from Iris that will help you determine if this workshop is the right fit for you.
Could you give an example of a practical application for the backend app you will create during this workshop?
Using AWS Lambda and other cloud services, we will build a simple, cloud-backed “To Do List”. This is an example that is quite often used in software engineering. We will give it its own little twist and use the advantage that we are running it in the cloud.
What is a Lambda function?
In AWS, a Lambda function is basically a piece of code you can run on demand. It is a very cheap and low-effort way to implement any backend functionality in the cloud. AWS offers a generous free tier for Lambdas: Each month, 1 million invocations are for free!
How can you benefit from using AWS for your backend app vs other cloud providers?
All of the large cloud providers have a similar offering when it comes to the basic serverless offerings we will use in the workshop: AWS has Lambdas, in Azure there are Azure functions, and Google uses the term Google Cloud Functions. All of these services offer speed and cost efficiency. However, AWS is considered the established market leader in the cloud area and used most often.
What are the key advantages of using cloud services for backend application development compared to traditional on-premises infrastructure?
The use of cloud services enables anyone to run software. No need to buy or handle your own infrastructure. Everyone can start deploying software without any up-front costs.
Why is this a relevant skill to develop for someone working in tech/software engineering?
Cloud computing is a mega trend in the tech industry. It enables companies from very small startups to large corporations to quickly build, deploy and validate their products with real users and real feedback. For anyone working in software engineering, it is absolutely imperative to be comfortable using various cloud providers.
What job opportunities can this knowledge and skill be useful for?
There is a high demand in the job market for cloud engineers and cloud architects. This workshop will give participants a first introduction, but maybe it inspires some of them to continue this path.
How can this workshop prepare me for a hackathon?
In a hackathon, you are presented with a challenge to solve. Such a challenge typically involves writing and deploying code somehow, somewhere. Cloud services and in particular so called “serverless” cloud services as we will use during the workshop offer the perfect platform for this.
Are you interested in joining Iris’ workshop? Register here now!
📅 Tuesday, July 4
🕘 18:00–19:30 CEST + Networking after the workshop
📍 On-site: Heinrichstrasse 200, 8005 Zürich
🎯 Who: participants should already have a general understanding of programming in at least one language (e.g. Python, Node.js, Java)
About Hack’n’Lead
This on-site workshop is one of the preparatory events leading to Hack’n’Lead 2023, Switzerland’s first women-friendly hackathon and event organized by women++. Hack’n’Lead will take place on the weekend of 11–12 November 2023.
You can register your interest here now, and receive more information about this inclusive hackathon (preparatory events, challenges, etc)
#hacknlead #hackathon #womenplusplus #womentech #switzerland
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