Introduction to Serverless Computing: How to Deploy Your First Function

Introduction to Serverless Computing: How to Deploy Your First Function

Serverless computing has revolutionized web development and cloud computing by allowing developers to run functions without managing servers. Instead of maintaining infrastructure, serverless platforms handle deployment, scaling, and execution.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What serverless computing is and how it works.
• When to use serverless functions.
• How to deploy a simple function using AWS Lambda, Vercel, and Firebase.

1. What Is Serverless Computing?

Serverless computing eliminates the need for developers to manage servers. Instead, cloud providers dynamically allocate resources only when needed.

Key Features of Serverless Computing

✔ No server management → The cloud provider handles scaling and maintenance. ✔ Pay-per-use pricing → You only pay for the execution time of your function. ✔ Auto-scaling → Functions automatically scale with demand. ✔ Event-driven execution → Functions run in response to triggers (e.g., HTTP requests, file uploads).

How Serverless Works

Instead of hosting an entire application, serverless allows you to deploy functions (FaaS - Functions as a Service) that run only when triggered.

Example:

• A serverless function runs when a user uploads an image to resize it automatically.
• Another function sends an email after a user submits a contact form.

Common Use Cases:

• API backends
• Webhooks
• Background tasks
• Image/video processing
• Event-driven automation

Popular serverless providers include AWS Lambda, Vercel, Firebase, and Azure Functions.

2. When to Use Serverless Computing

Serverless computing is ideal for certain applications, but not for everything.

✅ Use Serverless When:

✔ You need cost-effective, event-driven execution. ✔ Your application experiences variable traffic (e.g., seasonal spikes). ✔ You are building microservices or API endpoints. ✔ You need quick deployment without managing infrastructure.

❌ Avoid Serverless When:

✖ Your app requires long-running processes (serverless functions have execution limits). ✖ You need low-latency, real-time processing (traditional servers are better for this). ✖ Your system involves complex dependencies or shared state between functions.

3. Deploying Your First Serverless Function

Let’s deploy a simple serverless function using:

• AWS Lambda
• Vercel Serverless Functions
• Firebase Cloud Functions

4. Deploying a Serverless Function with AWS Lambda

Step 1: Create an AWS Lambda Function

1. Sign in to AWS Console.
2. Go to AWS Lambda and click “Create function”.
3. Select “Author from scratch”, name your function, and choose Node.js as the runtime.
4. Click “Create function”.

Step 2: Write Your Lambda Function

Replace the default code with:

exports.handler = async (event) => {
return {
statusCode: 200,
body: JSON.stringify({ message: "Hello from AWS Lambda!" }),
};
};

Step 3: Deploy and Test the Function

1. Click “Deploy”.
2. Under Test Events, create a new test event and run the function.
3. You should see “Hello from AWS Lambda!” in the response.

Step 4: Expose the Function via an API

To trigger the function via HTTP requests, use API Gateway:

1. Go to API Gateway in AWS.
2. Create a new REST API and integrate it with your Lambda function.
3. Deploy the API and get a public URL to trigger your function.

5. Deploying a Serverless Function with Vercel

Step 1: Install Vercel CLI

npm install -g vercel

Step 2: Create a New Serverless Function

Inside your project, create an api/hello.js file:

export default function handler(req, res) {
res.status(200).json({ message: "Hello from Vercel Serverless Function!" });
}

Step 3: Deploy to Vercel

Run:

vercel deploy

Your function will be deployed and accessible at:

https://yourproject.vercel.app/api/hello

Vercel automatically handles scaling and HTTPS setup.

6. Deploying a Serverless Function with Firebase

Step 1: Install Firebase CLI

npm install -g firebase-tools

Step 2: Initialize Firebase Functions

firebase login
firebase init functions

• Select JavaScript as the runtime.
• Enable Emulators for local testing.

Step 3: Write a Cloud Function

Edit functions/index.js:

const functions = require("firebase-functions");

exports.helloWorld = functions.https.onRequest((req, res) => {
res.send("Hello from Firebase Cloud Functions!");
});

Step 4: Deploy the Function

firebase deploy --only functions

Your function will be available at:

https://us-central1-yourproject.cloudfunctions.net/helloWorld

7. Serverless Pricing Comparison

AWS and Firebase offer generous free tiers, while Vercel is best for frontend developers.

8. Pros and Cons of Serverless Computing

✅ Pros:

✔ No infrastructure management → No servers to maintain. ✔ Scalability → Handles thousands of requests automatically. ✔ Cost-effective → Pay only for the execution time used. ✔ Quick deployment → Functions deploy in seconds.

❌ Cons:

✖ Cold starts → First request can be slow after inactivity. ✖ Execution time limits → Functions typically have a 5-15 min limit. ✖ Limited storage and memory → Not suitable for heavy computations.

Despite these drawbacks, serverless is excellent for modern cloud applications.

9. Common Serverless Use Cases

✔ Webhooks → Trigger functions on form submissions or events. ✔ Data Processing → Resize images or analyze logs in real time. ✔ Scheduled Tasks → Automate backups or generate reports. ✔ Chatbots & AI Processing → Handle real-time responses dynamically.

Serverless reduces costs while maintaining high performance.

Conclusion

Serverless computing is a game-changer for modern web development, allowing developers to deploy lightweight, event-driven functions without managing servers.

Key Takeaways

✔ Serverless functions only run when triggered, reducing costs. ✔ AWS Lambda, Vercel, and Firebase offer easy deployment options. ✔ Best for API backends, automation, and event-driven applications. ✔ Use cases include chatbots, webhooks, and scheduled tasks.

Start exploring serverless computing today to simplify development and scale efficiently!

Disclaimer

Article written with the help of AI.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any mentioned company. References are for discussion, not promotion. Some information may be inaccurate, readers should verify independently before making decisions.