What is AWS Lambda? Its Functions and Components

The demand for Function as a Service (FaaS) has significantly increased, which enables the programmer to build and run the functions seamlessly without having to manage the infrastructure cost. Amazon provides a serverless computing service known as Lambda, which will help you develop an application smoothly.

In addition, Lambda supports multiple programming languages that will help developers code in their desired language, including Node.js, Python, Ruby, and Java. Considering the demand of AWS Lambda (Amazon Web Services Lambda), I am throwing some light on this topic based on my years of experience in this platform and this vital information will be very useful for you.

What is AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda is a serverless computing service that helps run the codes effectively and will provide every possible computing resource that a function needs to run, including provisioning, scaling, OS management, and more. Using codes based on your desired DevOps programming language, you can create a Lambda function and can further deploy it into the AWS Lambda. 

In addition, Amazon Web Services Lambda is integrated with AWS tools, including Dynamo DB, API Gateway, and Simple Storage Service (S3). The use of these tools in AWS Lambda will help you build the applications smoothly.

AWS Lambda Function: Amazon Web Services Lambda Working Process

As I stated earlier, Amazon Web Services Lambda simplifies my application-building process as it performs most of the jobs, including provisioning, scaling, and others. So, in the working process, the first step is the creation of an AWS Lambda function. You can create from the AWS Lambda management console or from SDK/CLI. In my case, I have chosen the AWS management console as it has a user-friendly interface and is easy to operate.

AWS Lambda will come into play and will create a container that consists of the Lambda function. Thereafter, the computing service will allocate the RAM and CPU usage of the created functions. Before running the functions, there are some events that trigger Lambda, such as DynamoDB, CloudFront, Amazon S3, API Gateway, and more. 

Once such an event triggers Lambda (in my case, I changed the objects in Amazon S3 to trigger Lambda), then it will run the applications and compute the resources based on the incoming requests. AWS Lambda enables you to perform multiple events to run code either from the AWS ecosystem or from third-party tools. 

In addition, Amazon Web Services Lambda offers you several utilities to manage your Lambda functions, such as AWS Management Console, AWS SDK, AWS CLI, CloudWatch, and more. Also, to create a Lambda container, which consists of a function, you need to write codes using a programming language, but AWS Lambda empowers you to perform the coding task through Runtime API supported by Linux, which is the best use of AWS Lambda.

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What Are The Major Components Of AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda has three major components that run the functions effectively in a DevOps cloud. The primary one is the function, which has codes and resides in the container. The secondary one is the configuration, where the execution part of the function is determined, and the last component is the events, which trigger Lambda to run the functions. So, all these components work together to run the functions in Lambda AWS. 

Also Read: Types of AWS Certification 

What Are The Positive Sides Of AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda is the most advanced technology that enables developers to build an application over a cloud, thus reducing the stress of maintaining an infrastructure. In addition, it is integrated with AWS utilities, such as DynamoDB, Amazon S3, and more, which helped me build an application effectively. So, based on my years of experience, I’m shining some light on the Advantages of Amazon Web Services Lambda that will help you make the best use of AWS Lambda with essential service accessibility.

AutoScaling

AWS Lambda provides an auto-scaling feature where the computing resources will be increased or decreased based on the demand. As per my belief, there is some specific time when the demand for the application increases, and at that moment, Lambda Amazon Web Services increases the computing resources, such as CPU and RAM memory. If there is no demand, then such resources are minimised, and this feature not only enhances your application efficiency but also saves you a lot of money by reducing the resources when they are no use.

The Pay Structure Is Amazing

One of the most attractive features that I loved in AWS Lambda is the payment structure because I paid for the computing time that my functions used, which means I didn’t have to pay any money when my function was not running. So, this cost-effective feature will save you a lot of money while developing an application over a cloud. Moreover, the price depends on memory usage and the time consumed by the functions while running AWS Lambda. 

Comprehensive Infrastructure Support

Being a sole developer, you must have faced several challenges while building an application, and one such is the infrastructure cost. But if you get such support, then you will definitely focus more on your coding part, and AWS Lambda fulfils the same. With this service, you will get a fully managed infrastructure where you just need to deploy the functions, and the rest of the job will be done by AWS Lambda. So, in this way, such a service will reduce your infrastructure costs and enable you to build the most applications on the cloud.

Lambda Integration With Other AWS Utilities

AWS provides an ecosystem for developers so that they can perform their tasks effectively, and Lambda is the best example of this. It is integrated with multiple AWS utilities, including Amazon S3, DynamoDB, Kinesis Stream, API Gateway, and more. So, opting for one service will help you to utilize multiple utilities provided by Amazon to build an application effectively.

Support Of Multiple Programming Language

Every developer has a good command of one or two programming languages; in my case, I’m a Python developer and have good hands-on experience in developing a web and application using the Python platform. 

Moving back to the point, in your case, you might be good in Java or Ruby, so you will consider a cloud serverless provider where you can develop an application in your preferred language. However, AWS Lambda not only helped me develop an app in my core language but also helped other developers because it supports multiple programming languages, including Ruby, Python, Node.js, and C#.

Create Backend Service

Amazon Web Services Lambda enables you to create a backend application, as this will help you manage your application based on the demands. AWS Lambda provides the resources based on the demand of an application, so considering the situation, you can use the resources that will help you cut down the application investment cost.

Also Read: Difference Between AWS Vs Azure

What Are The Negative Aspects Of AWS Lambda?

After going through the positive sides of AWS Lambda, it’s time to go through its negative sides. These limitations or drawbacks will help you to utilise this service effectively.

Execution Time Out

The execution of AWS Lambda in running the functions is time-based, and each function has only 15 minutes to run on this platform. So, if you have created a Lambda function whose run time is above 15 minutes, then you will have to consider other cloud serverless providers.

Memory Limitation 

The RAM that is allocated to a Lambda function ranges from 128 MB to 3008 MB, so running a function that fails to lie in this range is not possible with AWS Lambda. In addition, the zipped Lambda code packaging also has some limits, such as you can’t upload the zip code whose size is above 250 MB.  

Concurrency Limit

AWS Lambda runs multiple containers that comprise functions, so Amazon has set the concurrency limit, which means after a set of points, the functions will have to wait until the other completes their running process. So, the concurrency limit of Amazon Web Services Lambda is 1000 provided to a single AWS Lambda account, but you can increase this bandwidth as this service is also provided by AWS.

Latency Issue

AWS Lambda shuts down the functions that have not been in use for over 15 minutes, and when it starts functioning, there is a time delay in networking, which results in latency, and it is based on time. You know very well that cost is directly proportional to time, so this latency issue may affect your budget.

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Conclusion

AWS Lambda is an outstanding serverless computing service that runs containers based on events. So, without worrying about the infrastructure cost, you can access this service to write codes for your application. In addition, it enables you to create a backend application that helps manage the demands of an application. There are a few limitations, but if you can ignore them, then it’s the best option for developers. 

If you are a mere novice and want to access a cloud-based service to develop an application, then you must opt for a DevOps course. This course will help you perform the work efficiently and enhance your team management skills. In the DevOps training session, you will be guided on team management and its importance and benefits. So, with a single course, you will get to know everything, as this course helped me a lot at the beginning of my professional journey.