Serverless computing is a method by which backend services are rendered. This is on a one-use basis.
Using serverless computing, the end user does not have to worry about the underlying infrastructure. All he needs to do is write the code and deploy it.
It is important to note that serverless computing uses physical servers. This service is also called serverless.
But this is a fact that does not need to affect developers because vendors or serverless providers take care of infrastructure and server space concerns.
If a company receives backend services from a serverless vendor, they do not have to pay for their bandwidth or the number of servers they use. Instead, they are charged based on what they calculate. Hence the service is auto-scaling.
Serverless Computing: An Approach to Cloud Computing
Serverless computing is essentially an approach to cloud computing. Here, the customer requests a PaaS (Platform-A-Service) container. Providers, in turn, start and stop PaaS as needed.
Correspondingly, the client no longer has to rent or purchase and configure the server in advance. Some of the top serverless offerings include OpenWhisk, Lambda and AWS.
History of serverless computing
Ownership of physical hardware to run the server
When the Internet was launched, physical hardware was required to run the server. This will allow you to create a web application. While the venture was tedious, it was also expensive.
Cloud allowed to rent a fixed amount of server space
Following which Meghmaher became dominant. Here, a specific server space or a fixed number of servers can be rented.
Renting a fixed amount of server space usually leads to more purchases. Companies and developers do this to ensure that when traffic is heavy, their applications do not break down, and they do not even exceed their monthly limits.
But this one came with a loss. A large portion of the server space that was paid for went to waste. To address this problem, cloud vendors introduced auto-scaling models.
But even when an unexpected increase in activity like DDoS attacks is accompanied by auto-scaling, the process can be very costly.
The advent of serverless computing
Serverless computing is the most flexible option in Lot. Developers buy backend services and pay on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis.
Types of backend services provided by serverless computing
The services frequently provided by serverless providers are database and storage services. In some cases, they may have a function-a-service (FaaS) platform. Cloudflare Workers is an example of this.
FaaS executes code on the platform edge and does not store any data.
Serverless computing comes with a range of advantages:
The cost of reduction
Serverless computing is a cost-effective option. In the case of other options, the user does not have to pay for idle CPU time or unused space.
Scalability is easy
With the use of serverless architecture, developers do not have to worry about policies required to measure their code. Serverless vendors take care of all scaling as you go.
Backend codes are simple
Using FaaS, developers can easily come up with simple tasks. They perform a function independently. An example of this is API calling.
Less time to market
Using serverless architecture, significantly reduces the time to market. Completing bug fixes or new features does not require complex processes.
Code can be modified or added piece by piece by the developers instead.
