What are the main benefits and challenges of serverless computing?

1 What is serverless computing?

Serverless computing is not really serverless. It means that you don't have to worry about the servers that run your code, because they are handled by a cloud provider. You only pay for the resources you use, and you can scale up or down automatically. Serverless computing is also known as Function as a Service (FaaS), because you write your code as small, independent functions that are triggered by events, such as HTTP requests, database changes, or messages.

2 How does serverless computing work?

To use serverless computing, you need to write your code in a supported language, such as Python, Node.js, or Java, and upload it to a cloud platform, such as AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, or Azure Functions. You also need to define the events that will trigger your functions, and the permissions and resources they will access. The cloud platform will then execute your functions on demand, and scale them automatically based on the traffic and load. You will only pay for the execution time and the memory used by your functions.

3 What are the benefits of serverless computing?

Serverless computing can offer several advantages for developers and businesses, such as lower costs due to only paying for what you use and not having to pay for idle servers or maintenance. Additionally, faster development is achievable by focusing on writing business logic rather than managing servers or configuring environments. Furthermore, this type of computing provides greater flexibility, allowing for a variety of use cases such as web applications, data processing, microservices, or event-driven workflows. This flexibility also allows for integration with other cloud services like databases, storage, or messaging.

4 What are the challenges of serverless computing?

Serverless computing, although beneficial, has some drawbacks and limitations. Cold starts, for example, can cause latency or performance issues for time-sensitive functions. Additionally, vendor lock-in can make it difficult to switch providers or run functions locally or offline. Debugging and testing can also be more challenging due to limited visibility and control over the execution environment and the events that trigger your functions. Logging, monitoring, and tracing functions across different services and regions can create additional issues.

5 How to get started with serverless computing?

If you want to try serverless computing, you can start by choosing a cloud provider that offers FaaS, such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure. You can then follow their documentation and tutorials to create your first function, and test it with different events and inputs. You can also use some tools and frameworks that can help you develop, deploy, and manage your serverless applications, such as Serverless Framework, AWS SAM, or Google Cloud Functions Framework.

Serverless computing can be a powerful and cost-effective way to run your applications in the cloud, but it also requires some adaptation and learning. You should consider the benefits and challenges of serverless computing before deciding if it is suitable for your needs and goals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?