Function as a Service: The Basics, Use Cases and Benefits

Today's businesses are growing faster than ever before. Technology enables companies to grow with greater velocity and scale than ever before. And the cloud is playing an important role in this growth by making it easier for companies to access data and services, deploy new applications quickly, and process massive quantities of information. Function as a service (FaaS) is one of the key trends in cloud computing because it offers a way for developers to build and deploy functions without having to worry about managing servers or storage. FaaS makes it easy for developers to create small snippets of code that can be deployed directly into a third-party managed function platform. These platforms handle all the overhead tasks, such as Function as a Service, so software developers can focus on their business logic instead of worrying about servers and storage. Let's take a closer look at some of the pros and cons of using FaaS.

What is FaaS?

Function as a service is a system that enables you to treat your software as a service. Typically, this system uses containers to host software components, such as a function, that you can invoke remotely. Function as a service also includes a management portal that allows you to create functions, manage their life cycles, and monitor their usage. In a FaaS environment, you can write a single line of code that performs a specific task, such as initiating a financial transaction or validating a person's identity. The code is hosted in an internet-accessible container, making it accessible to the rest of the world. You can invoke this code by either using an API or connecting to the container directly via a URL.

FaaS is Easy to Use and Deploy

FaaS services are designed to be easy to use and easy to deploy. They provide a graphical user interface allowing software developers to quickly create functions and deploy them directly onto the platform. You don't need to be an expert in server architecture, load balancing, or any other technical details of scaling and hosting applications. The platform handles all of these tasks automatically. There are also no upfront costs associated with using a FaaS service. Most FaaS providers bill you on a per-use basis, and you can shut down your functions anytime without incurring termination fees or other penalties. FaaS services are ideal for testing new applications and experimenting with new ideas. If your application is unsuccessful, you don't need to incur any long-term costs.

FaaS Use Cases

● Containers and Microservices - If your business is looking to use FaaS, you should consider whether it fits your application well. FaaS works best when your application is built using containers and microservices.
● Event-driven applications - Another important factor when deciding if FaaS is the right choice for your application is the type of application you're building. Ideally, your application should be event-driven.
● Scaling challenges - FaaS can also be challenging to use if you have complex scaling requirements and a high rate of change. This is because FaaS requires you to manage your functions' architecture and hosting parameters.
● Performance - Finally, you should also consider the performance implications of using FaaS. You may find that FaaS functions are not as fast as running code on-premise or in a virtual private cloud.

Benefits of FaaS

● No server management - The primary benefit of using FaaS is no server management. You can write code, deploy it, and forget about it. The FaaS provider handles all of the work around scaling, load balancing, and hosting your functions.
● Focus on your business logic - Another benefit of using FaaS is that it enables you to focus on your business logic, which is arguably the most important part of any application.
● No upfront costs - FaaS offers another key benefit: you don't incur any upfront costs. This means you can test out new functions, iterate on your application, and experiment with new ideas without incurring any long-term costs.
● Cloud scalability - The final benefit of using FaaS is that it offers cloud scalability. This means you get access to a cloud-based service's computing power and storage, enabling you to run your application at scale.

Should You Use a FaaS Service?

The short answer is yes. FaaS services provide all the benefits of serverless computing and container-based architecture. This makes them the ideal choice for businesses looking to build event-driven applications that use microservices. If your application is suitable for FaaS, it's worth considering as a way to deploy and scale your application.