How To Use Azure Functions For Serverless Computing?

Serverless Computing is a widely adapted approach and a cloud computing extension model where customers can solely engage in building the logic and the server infrastructure completely managed by third-party cloud service providers. In Microsoft Azure, serverless computing can be carried out in various ways. One such way is by using Azure functions. In this article, we will discuss How to use Azure functions for serverless computing. Firstly, let us understand the following terms.

What Is Serverless Computing?

• Serverless computing, also known as the Function-as-a-Service (FAAS) approach to building software applications, eliminates the need to manage the server hardware and software by the consumer and be taken care of by third-party vendors.
• These serverless applications often use cloud-based functions to compute the business logic. In this article, let’s understand the using Azure functions to carry out event-driven, cloud-based serverless computing.

What Are Azure Functions?

• Azure functions are the serverless solution that provides all the necessary resources to carry out the tasks with minimal lines of code, infrastructure, and cost.
• The Azure functions are a combination of code and event allowing us to write the code in any language (C++, Node.js, PHP, Java, etc)

Let us understand how to create and use Azure Functions for Serverless Computing.

Note: Make sure you have a Microsoft Azure subscription of any type.

A Step-by-Step Approach For Creating An Azure Function

Step 1: After completing the login process into the Azure portal, we can access the Azure Function with the name “Function App“

Step-2: click the ‘+‘ icon to initiate the creation of Function App.

Step 3: Create the function app by configuring the following properties.

Basics tab

• Project details:
  • Mention the Subscription you opted for.
  • Create a new resource group or use an existing one for your function app.

• Instance details:
  • Name your instance/function app. Make sure it is unique.
  • Select the Runtime stack. There are vast options like .NET, Java, Node.js, Python, C#, etc.
  • You may leave the other options as default or configure according to your project requirements.

• Operating System Details:
  • You may choose either Linux/ Windows Operating system according to your requirements.

Storage Tab

• You may leave the default values or configure according to your project requirement. The default values are configured as:
• Storage account: You may use the existing storage account or create a new account to store your function app.

Deployment tab

• To enable Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), you may connect your function app to a repository by authorizing it to GitHub.

These are the important features to focus on while creating your function app, you may leave the remaining details as default or customize them according to your requirements. Once you finish configuring your app, you can click the “create” button at the bottom of the page.Now your app will start the process of deployment.

Step 4: Navigate to the “Go to resource” button. Now we need to create a function in our function app. We have various options to choose like a Command Line interface, VS editor, the an or Azure portal. Choose an environment to create your function. I’ve chosen the Azure portal to create my function app.

Step 5: Let’s configure and create our function. Choose your development environment.

Select a template to create a function. There are a lot of templates available to choose from. Let’s start with the HTTP Template.

Configure your template details according to your requirements. click “create“.

Step-6: Azure provides a sample code according to your runtime stack. To access or modify the sample code, navigate to the “code+test” tab.

You may modify the sample code of an HTTP trigger template. For now, let’s continue demonstrating with the sample code which creates a simple HTTP function.

To run the HTTP function, click the Test/Run tab and choose the input values according to your requirements.HTTP method: Choose an HTTP method.

“GET” method:

• Let us demonstrate the “GET” method. Choose the “GET” option from the HTTP method.
• Pass the Query parameters. i.e. “name” and “value“.
• For the “Get” method the “body” is not necessary.

Now click “Run” to see the output.

Output:

Console View

URL

• we can access the HTTP function with a URL which is available in the “Get Function URL” tab.

Browser Output

Now, pass the Query parameters in the URL path.

“Post” method:

• Let us demonstrate the “POST” method. Choose the “POST” option from the HTTP method.
• Pass the body in a JSON format.

• Now click “Run” to see the output.

Output:

Console view:

URL:

we can access the HTTP function with a URL which is available in the “Get Function URL” tab.

Postman Tool:

• To Test the URL, let’s use the Postman tool.
• Open your Postman Desktop Version/browser version, and choose the HTTP method as “POST” and past the URL which is copied from the Azure portal.

• Now, provide the Body in the JSON format.

• Click “Send” to see the output.

Advantages of using Azure functions:

• Azure functions are based on Serverless architecture.
• Azure functions can be developed in various languages providing developers with a user-friendly ecosystem.
• Using Azure functions, we can easily schedule event-driven tasks across various services.
• Azure functions support Automatic and Dynamic Scaling.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Azure functions provide a very precise environment for developers allowing them to more focus on coding rather than then managing infrastructure. This feature plays a key role in building scalable and responsive applications with low cost.

Azure Functions for Serverless Computing – FAQs

What Programming Languages Are Supported by Azure Functions?

Azure functions supports multiple programming languages including Java, .NET, Node.js, C#, PowerShell, TypeScript and many more. The Azure portal also provides all the resources to work comfortably with your chosen runtime stack.

What Type of Triggers Can Be Invoked by Using Azure Function?

By using azure functions, We can invoke a lot of triggers such as HTTP requests, timers, messages in Azure Queue Storage, changes in Azure Cosmos DB, new items in Azure Blob Storage, and more. The above article demonstrates the usage of HTTP triggers.

How Can Monitor and Troubleshoot Azure Functions?

Montoring your Azure function can be done through enabling Application Inshights while creating your Azure Function App. By enabling Application insights, we can track track function execution, detect issues, and gain insights into performance. Azure functions by default provides built-in logging features for trouble shooting.

Can I Deploy My Azure Functions Locally?

Yes, Azure function core tools helps us to develop and test the function locally before deploying into the cloud. This feature helps us to debug any kind of issues before deploying.

How Can I Secure Azure Functions?

Azure Functions provides various security features, such as authentication and authorization options, including Azure Active Directory (AAD) integration.