AWS Lambda for Serverless Computing: Scale Fast

AWS Lambda for serverless computing has become a game-changer, driving the global shift toward serverless architectures. Since its launch in 2014, AWS Lambda has redefined how businesses run code in the cloud, setting a benchmark for serverless models. This article delves into AWS Lambda’s functionality, benefits, and its impact on application development.

What is AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda is a serverless, event-driven computing service. It lets you upload code and configure when your application should execute a function. When you run code in Lambda, it’s called a Lambda function. This allows developers to focus on code without handling infrastructure.

Defining serverless computing

With AWS Lambda, AWS introduced serverless computing as we know it today. Serverless means that AWS manages servers for you. This allows developers to concentrate on functionality while AWS handles provisioning, scaling, and infrastructure maintenance.

Understanding event-driven programming

Event-driven programming responds to specific triggers, like user actions or system events. When users click a button, make a purchase, or reach game milestones, Lambda responds instantly. This creates personalised, real-time interactions across various sectors, including fintech, eLearning, and healthcare.

How AWS Lambda works

AWS Lambda runs on high-availability infrastructure, automatically managing resources and scaling as needed. AWS handles tasks like security patching, capacity provisioning, and code monitoring. You can upload code as a .zip file or container image or write it directly in the Lambda console. Lambda functions respond to events from sources such as:

• HTTP requests via Amazon API Gateway
• Changes in Amazon S3 buckets
• Updates to Amazon DynamoDB tables
• State transitions in AWS Step Functions

Lambda integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, applying compute functions to process and analyse data, crucial for machine learning.

Using AWS Lambda as the logic tier

AWS Lambda often serves as the “logic tier” in multi-tier architectures. It processes user actions and translates them into application functionalities. Integrated with Amazon API Gateway, Lambda supports mobile backends, single-page applications, and web applications. Lambda is also critical in microservices architectures, where components are decoupled into independent, stateless units.

Supported programming languages in AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda supports widely used programming languages, making it accessible without requiring new skills. Supported languages include:

• Python
• Node.js
• C#
• Go
• Java
• PowerShell
• Ruby

According to Datadog’s “State of Serverless” report, Python and Node.js remain the most popular among Lambda users.

Key benefits of AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda offers numerous benefits, including:

• Developer-friendly: Lambda’s infrastructure management lets developers focus on creating high-quality applications.
• Fast and agile: Lambda enables quick development and release cycles, perfect for today’s Agile environment.
• Quality assurance: With Lambda’s “Code Signing” feature, only trusted code is published and deployed.
• Fault tolerance: Lambda has built-in fault tolerance, safeguarding against machine or data centre failures.
• Security compliance: Lambda is SOC-, HIPAA-, PCI-, and ISO-compliant, with robust encryption and AWS IAM integration.
• Cost-efficient: Lambda’s pay-per-use pricing model bills by the millisecond, ensuring cost-effectiveness. It also includes a free tier with 1 million free requests per month.
• Integration-ready: Lambda integrates seamlessly with external tools via AWS Lambda Extensions for monitoring and governance.

Limitations of AWS Lambda

While AWS Lambda is powerful, it has some limitations. Since it integrates deeply with AWS, it could lead to vendor lock-in. Lambda is also not intended for long-running workloads. Specific runtime and request limits apply, so it’s essential to review the AWS Lambda Developer Guide to understand these constraints.

AWS Lambda across industry verticals

AWS Lambda processes trillions of requests monthly, serving mission-critical applications across diverse industries. From media to finance, Lambda helps organisations reduce time to market, optimise costs, and focus on core functions.

Discover more about AWS Lambda and serverless computing

This article is a part of a greater series centred around the technologies and themes found within the first edition of the TechRadar by Devoteam . To read further into these topics, please download TechRadar by Devoteam .