Building Serverless Applications with AWS Functions

The demand for scalable, efficient, and cost-effective applications has led many businesses to embrace serverless computing. AWS Lambda, combined with the Serverless Framework, provides a powerful solution for developing applications —without the need to manage traditional infrastructure.

Let’s explore how to build and deploy serverless applications using AWS Lambda and the Serverless Framework — along with a few key benefits and best practices to help you get started.

What is AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda is a compute service that lets you run code in response to events. It supports a wide range of programming languages and can be used in conjunction with other AWS services like API Gateway, S3, or DynamoDB. This allows you to build flexible, event-driven applications that respond to user actions, data changes, or system events.

So what is the Serverless Framework?

The Serverless Framework is an open-source tool that simplifies the process of building and deploying serverless applications on AWS. It provides a unified way to manage your serverless functions, API endpoints, and other cloud resources using simple configuration files.

Why choose serverless architecture?

Serverless computing offers several advantages over traditional server-based models. By leveraging services like AWS Lambda, you can focus on your application’s functionality, while AWS handles the scaling, maintenance, and availability of your application.

Getting started: Building your first serverless application

1. Define your application requirements: Before you start, it’s essential to define what your application will do. Consider the key functionalities, expected user interactions, and data flows. From here, you can identify the AWS services you’ll need to make it happen
2. Create a serverless application plan: Break down your application into smaller, discrete functions. Each function should handle a specific task, such as processing a file upload, querying a database, or sending an email. This modular approach makes your application easier to develop, test, and maintain
3. Use the Serverless Framework to manage your application: The Serverless Framework allows you to outline your application’s configuration, including Lambda functions, API routes, and event triggers — all in one place. This file acts as a blueprint, making it easy to deploy and manage your application
4. Deploying your application: With the Serverless Framework, deploying your application is straightforward. The framework handles the creation and configuration of all necessary AWS resources like Lambda functions and IAM roles. This process saves time and reduces the potential for configuration errors
5. Monitoring and maintenance: After deployment, use AWS tools like CloudWatch to monitor your application’s performance. These tools provide insights into execution times, error rates, and resource usage, helping you identify bottlenecks and optimise performance.

Bonus tips for building serverless applications

Aim to implement security best practices

Use AWS IAM roles and policies to grant the minimum permissions required for your Lambda functions. This principle of least privilege helps secure your application by limiting access to only those resources that are necessary.

Make sure you monitor and optimise your costs

Regularly review your AWS usage and cost reports to identify areas where you can optimize resource usage and reduce costs. AWS offers tools like Cost Explorer and Trusted Advisor to help you track and manage expenses effectively.

Get expert guidance with Bespoke Training

Mastering serverless development can be challenging, but the right training can make all the difference.

Bespoke Training offers tailored courses designed to help your team understand serverless architecture, implement best practices, and leverage AWS services effectively. Our expert instructors provide hands-on guidance, ensuring you gain the skills and confidence needed to build and deploy robust serverless applications.

Ready to elevate your cloud skills? Our expert-led training will give you the kick-start you need to unlock the full potential of serverless architecture. Explore our courses today and start building better applications!