Serverless computing is a cloud execution model where the cloud provider dynamically manages server allocation and provisioning, allowing developers to build and run applications without managing underlying infrastructure.
Context for Technology Leaders
For CIOs and Enterprise Architects, serverless computing offers significant operational efficiency by abstracting infrastructure management, enabling faster innovation and reduced operational overhead. It aligns with modern cloud-native strategies, supporting agile development and continuous delivery, and is often integrated with event-driven architectures and microservices, as advocated by frameworks like the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF).
Key Principles
- 1No Server Management: Developers focus solely on code, as the cloud provider handles all server provisioning, scaling, and maintenance, eliminating infrastructure concerns.
- 2Event-Driven Execution: Functions are triggered by specific events, such as HTTP requests, database changes, or file uploads, promoting reactive and decoupled architectures.
- 3Automatic Scaling: Resources automatically scale up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency without manual intervention.
- 4Pay-per-Execution Billing: Costs are incurred only when code is actively running, leading to potential cost savings compared to always-on server models.
Related Terms
Cloud ComputingMicroservicesEvent-Driven ArchitectureFunction as a Service (FaaS)DevOpsInfrastructure as Code