Introduction to AWS Lambda - Serverless Compute on Amazon Web Services

Summary

AWS Lambda is a compute service that enables you to run backend code in response to events like image uploads, database updates, or in-app activities. It eliminates the need to manage servers, as AWS handles infrastructure scaling, security, and monitoring. With AWS Lambda, you pay only for the requests and the time your code runs, making it a cost-effective solution for building fast, responsive applications. Getting started is simple, with no new languages or tools required, and you can integrate Lambda functions seamlessly with other AWS services. Learn how to get started and leverage AWS Lambda to streamline application development.

Takeaways

• 😀 AWS Lambda enables backend code execution in response to events like image uploads, website clicks, or sensor outputs.
• 😀 AWS Lambda eliminates the need for server management, allowing developers to focus on building applications.
• 😀 With AWS Lambda, there is no need to provision or scale servers, as the service handles capacity, scaling, patching, and infrastructure management.
• 😀 AWS Lambda is a low-cost service that charges based on requests and execution time, measured in 100-millisecond increments.
• 😀 You can easily upload your backend code to AWS Lambda and have it automatically trigger in response to predefined events like uploads or database updates.
• 😀 The service offers real-time visibility into function performance with integration to Amazon CloudWatch for metrics and logs.
• 😀 AWS Lambda supports common use cases like image conversion, file compression, and change notifications, with pre-built function samples available.
• 😀 Lambda functions can be written in any programming language, and third-party libraries, including native ones, are supported.
• 😀 Getting started with AWS Lambda is straightforward with no new languages or frameworks to learn, and functions can be developed in the AWS Management Console.
• 😀 AWS Lambda integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, allowing you to easily interact with services like Amazon S3 and DynamoDB.

Q & A

What is AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda is a compute service that runs your back-end code in response to events such as object uploads to Amazon S3 buckets, updates to Amazon DynamoDB tables, and other triggers. It handles capacity scaling, patching, and administration of the infrastructure required to run the code.

What kind of events can trigger a Lambda function?

Lambda functions can be triggered by a variety of events, including uploads to Amazon S3, updates to DynamoDB tables, changes in Kinesis streams, and in-app activity such as website clicks or sensor outputs.

What are the key benefits of using AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda simplifies back-end management by handling the scaling, patching, and administration of the infrastructure. It is cost-effective, requiring no upfront investment, and you are charged only for the number of requests and the execution time of your code.

How does AWS Lambda help reduce the burden of managing servers?

With AWS Lambda, you no longer need to provision, manage, or scale servers. The service automatically scales according to the events and handles all infrastructure tasks, allowing developers to focus on writing code.

How is the pricing structured for AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda is priced based on the number of requests and the duration your code runs, measured in increments of 100 milliseconds. There is no upfront cost, and it is a pay-as-you-go model.

Do I need to learn new programming languages to use AWS Lambda?

No, you don't need to learn any new programming languages. You can use any programming language that AWS Lambda supports, and you can even use third-party libraries, including native ones.

How do I upload my code to AWS Lambda?

You can upload your code to AWS Lambda as a zip file, or you can write and edit your code directly in the AWS Management Console using the integrated development environment (IDE).

What is a Lambda function and how does it work?

A Lambda function is the code you upload to AWS Lambda to be executed in response to specific events. Once the function is uploaded, it can be triggered automatically when the specified event occurs, such as a file upload to S3.

Can I use pre-built Lambda function samples?

Yes, AWS Lambda provides a list of pre-built function samples for common use cases like image conversion, file compression, and change notifications, which you can use as starting points.

How does AWS Lambda integrate with other AWS services?

AWS Lambda integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, such as S3, DynamoDB, and Kinesis, using built-in support for the AWS SDK. This allows Lambda functions to interact with these services easily within your applications.