Serverless computing is a cloud computing model that enables developers to run applications and services without managing the underlying infrastructure. Although the term serverless implies no servers, there are still servers running in the background; however, they are fully managed by the cloud provider.
Key Characteristics of Serverless Computing
- Infrastructure Management is Handled by the Cloud Provider: Unlike traditional cloud models, where users manage virtual machines or containers, serverless computing abstracts infrastructure management, allowing developers to focus solely on code and application logic.
- Event-Driven and Scalable: Serverless architectures are designed to automatically scale in response to events. Resources are allocated only when specific triggers occur, ensuring cost efficiency and optimal performance.
- Usage-Based Billing: Since serverless functions run only when triggered, organizations are charged based on execution time and resource consumption, rather than paying for always-on infrastructure.
- Ideal for Backend Processing: Serverless computing is commonly used for background tasks, API processing, and real-time data transformations.
Examples of Serverless Computing
- Azure Functions: A cloud service that allows developers to execute event-driven code in response to HTTP requests, database changes, queue messages, and more.
- Azure Logic Apps: A cloud-based workflow automation service that enables users to integrate applications and services through pre-built connectors.
For more information on compute options in the cloud, refer to #topic 22#.
Conclusion
Serverless computing provides a powerful and cost-effective way to run applications with minimal infrastructure management. It is an excellent solution for event-driven workloads, enabling developers to build scalable and responsive applications without worrying about provisioning or maintaining servers.
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