UPDATED - Create Your First AWS Lambda Function | AWS Tutorial for Beginners

Summary

In this tutorial, the presenter introduces AWS Lambda, explaining its serverless nature and how it enables efficient, event-driven code execution. Using the example of Tiny Flicks, a platform for short films, the video walks through how to build a Lambda function that automatically processes uploaded video files from an S3 bucket. The tutorial covers creating the Lambda function, setting permissions, deploying code, and setting up triggers for file uploads. It also includes a discussion of the benefits of Lambda, such as modularity, cost optimization, and scalability, concluding with how to clean up resources after the demo.

Takeaways

• 😀 AWS Lambda is a serverless computing service, meaning you don't need to manage the servers or infrastructure. It handles the provisioning, scaling, and management for you.
• 😀 Lambda functions are triggered by specific events, such as uploading a file to an S3 bucket or changes in a DynamoDB table.
• 😀 Each Lambda function is modular and performs a single task, making it easier to maintain, optimize, and scale.
• 😀 AWS Lambda allows you to fine-tune the memory allocation for each function, which helps in optimizing performance and controlling costs.
• 😀 Lambda supports parallel processing, allowing the handling of large volumes of tasks concurrently and scaling dynamically as needed.
• 😀 The free tier for AWS Lambda allows 1 million requests per month, making it a cost-effective solution for smaller projects.
• 😀 In the Tiny Flicks project scenario, AWS Lambda can automate tasks like generating thumbnails and processing videos once they're uploaded to an S3 bucket.
• 😀 Lambda functions can be written in multiple programming languages, such as Python, Node.js, Java, and C#.
• 😀 Permissions for Lambda functions are managed via execution roles, which can be configured to grant access to other AWS services, such as reading from an S3 bucket.
• 😀 After creating a Lambda function, you need to deploy it and set up a trigger (like uploading a file to an S3 bucket) to invoke the function.
• 😀 It's essential to delete any unused resources (Lambda functions, S3 buckets, etc.) to avoid unexpected costs in the future.

Q & A

What is AWS Lambda and how does it work?

AWS Lambda is a serverless computing service that runs code in response to events, such as changes in an S3 bucket or a DynamoDB table. It executes your code without the need to manage servers or provisioning infrastructure. Lambda allows you to focus on writing code without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

Why is AWS Lambda referred to as 'serverless'?

Although Lambda runs on servers, the term 'serverless' refers to the fact that users do not have to manage or provision these servers. AWS takes care of all the server management, allowing developers to focus solely on the code.

What are some common triggers for AWS Lambda functions?

Lambda functions can be triggered by various events, including uploads to an S3 bucket, changes in a DynamoDB table, or updates to other AWS services. These triggers allow Lambda to execute code automatically in response to specific actions.

In the Tiny Flicks example, what tasks are handled by AWS Lambda?

In the Tiny Flicks example, Lambda is used to automatically generate thumbnails, process an HD version of the video, and handle other processing tasks once a user uploads a video to an S3 bucket.

What are the benefits of using AWS Lambda in application development?

Lambda encourages modular code design, where each function does a single task. This leads to more efficient, optimized code and allows for fine-tuned memory usage. Lambda also supports parallel processing, scaling automatically as the number of requests increases, reducing overhead and optimizing costs.

How does AWS Lambda handle scaling?

Lambda automatically scales based on the number of requests. If there is a sudden need for more processing power (e.g., when performing tasks in parallel), Lambda can scale up to handle the load. Once the demand decreases, it scales back down to optimize costs.

What steps were involved in setting up a Lambda function for Tiny Flicks?

The setup included creating an S3 bucket to upload files, creating a new Lambda function with the Python runtime, assigning the necessary execution permissions for S3, writing the Lambda function code, and then configuring an S3 event trigger to invoke the Lambda function when a file is uploaded.

Why is it important to set permissions for AWS Lambda?

Permissions control what actions the Lambda function can perform. In this case, it was crucial to allow Lambda the ability to read from the S3 bucket, ensuring that the function can access and process the files uploaded to it.

What happens when an S3 bucket is used as both input and output for a Lambda function?

If an S3 bucket is used as both input and output for a Lambda function, it can create an infinite loop where the function triggers itself repeatedly. To avoid this, it’s important to separate input and output buckets or use safeguards to prevent recursive triggers.

How can you monitor the execution of a Lambda function?

Lambda execution can be monitored through the AWS CloudWatch service. CloudWatch provides logs and metrics about the function's performance, such as invocation counts, durations, and error logs. The Monitor tab in the Lambda console also shows a visual representation of these logs and metrics.