What is AWS lambda? How it works and what are the use-cases?

Have you previously heard about Lambda? It's a serverless computing service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS Lambda is one of the most popular serverless computing services out there in the market.

So before we move forward. First, let me tell you what Serverless computing is - its a process of providing backend services on an as-used basis and no-hassle process. It means a company using serverless services, as the backend, will be charged based on their computation and need. There will be no need to reserve and pay for bandwidth or number of servers in advance you aren't gonna use, as the service is auto-scalable.

Serverless computing doesn't mean that there are no servers :)

Despite the name, servers are still used in this but developers do not need to be worried about them as the provider remains solely responsible for provisioning and maintenance of these services.

Now let's move forward on Lambda!

What is AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda is one of Amazon's serverless computing services that allow users to run code without having to manage servers. Also, you will be paying only for the compute and service time you consume - you'll not be charged if your code is not running. That means developers just need to focus on building world-class applications and there is no need to worry about infrastructure and server management.

How does AWS Lambda work?

An API is provided by AWS so you can upload your code there and it sets an event that will trigger the function. The code will run on a cloud server, and you will be billed only for the duration that your code ran.

So simply all you need to do is upload your code and you are done with from your side. AWS Lambda will automatically take care of everything needed to run the services across multiple availability zones. Also, it is a scalable and pay-as-you-go service so it will optimize your cost too.

We can also use Lambda’s serverless computing services to integrate with other AWS services through pipelines. Famous companies such as Netflix, Asana, Amazon Prime, Zapier, NY Times, and many more have already added AWS Lambda to their tech services.

What are the use-cases of AWS Lambda?

Being one of the best services in serverless architecture, Lambda has endless opportunities to be delivered to users and some of them are:

• Automation: Just suppose you have some services that need to be synchronized with the system on a regular basis and sometimes several times a day. This might include - cache cleanup, file adding, database update, website form update, or any other form of service which updates frequently. Here you can use - AWS Lambda. Instead of running an instance 24/7, you can use AWS Lambda functions which will be triggered by a scheduled event, perform automation and run your job, synchronize on time and then just go away until the next time. Thus, AWS Lambda is the best fit for automating several tasks that don’t need an entire server or instance running 24/7.
• Scalable: You can reduce the cost of your services with AWS Lambda and can perform desired tasks at a low cost but how? AWS Lamda is an auto-scaling service it means It automatically scales individual functions according to the demand. Also, You do not need to scale your Lambda functions – they are automatically scaled by AWS Lambda. There are no limits to scaling a particular function. Lambda will dynamically allocate capacity to match the incoming event rate.
• Data transformation and processing: You can easily integrate Lambda with other data sources/databases like DynamoDB and trigger a Lambda function for particular kinds of data events because AWS Lambda functions are optimized for event-based data processing with functions. Thus it becomes easy to process data in Lambda.

What are the benefits of AWS Lamda?

1. A large number of supported runtime and language. Lamda supports - Node js, Python, Java, Ruby, Go, C#, Rust, C++, etc.
2. Pay per use-based payment method. You only pay for what you use. there is no need to burn your budget on services you are not using.
3. Easy integration with other AWS services. you can seamlessly connect and use other AWS services with Lamda.
4. Fully managed infrastructure. There is no need to be worried about infrastructure - AWS will take care of this.