Introduction to AWS Lambda
By Łukasz Kallas
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AWS Lambda is a serverless computing service that allows to run code without provisioning or managing servers. Whether you're building a microservice, responding to events, or automating tasks, Lambda lets you execute your code in response to various triggers, such as HTTP requests, file uploads, or changes in a database.
What is AWS Lambda?
AWS Lambda is a compute service that runs your code in response to events and automatically manages the underlying compute resources for you. You can write your code in various languages, including Python, JavaScript, Java, and Go. The beauty of Lambda is that you only pay for the compute time you consume—there's no need to worry about scaling, patching, or managing servers.
Key Features of AWS Lambda
- Automatic Scaling - Lambda automatically scales your application by running code in response to each trigger.
- Pay-as-You-Go - You only pay for the compute time you use, billed in milliseconds.
- Event-Driven - Run code in response to events from over 200 AWS services and SaaS applications.
- Integrations - Lambda integrates seamlessly with other AWS services like API Gateway, S3, DynamoDB, and more.
How Does AWS Lambda Work?
- Write Your Code - Develop your function using your preferred language and upload it to Lambda.
- Set Triggers - Define the events that will trigger your function, such as HTTP requests via API Gateway or file uploads to an S3 bucket.
- Lambda Executes the Code - When the event occurs, Lambda automatically runs your code, scales the resources needed, and provides you with the results.
- Monitor and Adjust - Use CloudWatch to monitor your Lambda functions and adjust configurations as needed.
Example Use Cases
- API Backends: Create RESTful APIs using Lambda in conjunction with API Gateway.
- Data Processing: Process files as they are uploaded to S3, or transform data streams in real-time.
- Automation: Automate routine tasks like backups, cleanups, and notifications.
- Microservices: Break down your application into smaller, manageable functions that can be deployed and scaled independently.