Function as a service (FaaS) The Complete Guide You Should Know

It is likely that you have been familiar with SaaS You may have heard of PaaS as well as IaaS But have you ever heard of Function as a Service (FaaS)?

The FaaS market is expanding rapidly. Based on Allied Market Research, the market was valued at $3.01 billion in the year 2018. It is predicted to grow to $24 billion by 2026. This means the industry will grow with a Compound Annual Ratio (CAGR) that is 29.7 percent from 2020 until 2026.

With that kind of growth and the growth rate, we can affirm that FaaS is quite a huge deal.

However, what exactly is FaaS and how does it work? To help you answer those doubts, this article will provide the basic information about FaaS, why people should (and should not) utilize FaaS as well as the status of the worldwide FaaS market by 2022.

Let's go.

What exactly is Function as a Service (FaaS)?

Function as a Service (FaaS) is a form of cloud computing which helps developers work better by removing the necessity to maintain application infrastructure. When developers leverage FaaS, they use an FaaS platform to create the, manage, and run applications for them.

Though this may be the first time that you read about FaaS it is likely that you've seen it on the streets. A lot of popular apps and programs use FaaS such as Amazon's Alexa.

If you're comfortable with Alexa and its capabilities, then Alexa's capabilities can be enhanced by building "skills." As with apps, skills let Alexa perform tasks that aren't part of its default configuration. Things like checking for notifications within your app, starting an entirely new conversation or playing a custom sound.

So, how does FaaS operate step-by step? We'll look at that in the next section.

What's the FaaS System?

To comprehend FaaS it is necessary to know two key terms:

1. "Monolithic architecture" = a self-contained application that operates independently of other applications. They manage the users' interface, business functions, and the data interface in-house. Monolithic architecture software relies on various other parts of the code.
2. "Microservice architecture"= a piece of code that handles a few small tasks. The microservices themselves are independent (though they form an entire application).

Here's a graphic that illustrates the ways in which monolithic and microservices architecture are different:

There is a major distinction between monolithic and microservice architectures in the execution or updating of the function. In a monolithic structure it executes the function at once (like updating an app, such as). In a microservice-based architecture, it is possible to execute each microservice functions independently.

FaaS is the thing that makes microservice architectures more efficient.

Each time you run a microservice service, you simply require to develop the procedure. Then, your FaaS provider takes the function, executes it and takes care of the management of the function thereafter.

Because FaaS is a tool that relies on input from you It is important to remember that every FaaS function should only be responsible for one task. This task then runs when its trigger is activated. For example, a function that produces a copy of the user's receipt will only work if the user clicks "download receipt."

FaaS employs the "event-driven execution model" meaning that the functions you use only take effect only when they are triggered. Additionally, they aren't running on the side.

What else could FaaS do?

What services does FaaS Offer?

Although all providers differ, FaaS providers generally offer the following services:

• Database services. They help you store information in databases so that the program you use can access it. FaaS providers manage certain database maintenance on your behalf.
• File storage. FaaS providers can store data and files for your application, meaning you do not need to host the app on your personal server.

Overall, these services assist developers to work more efficiently. The pros and cons of FaaS following.

The advantages of the FaaS Model

The FaaS model is very scalable and capacity management is significantly simpler. If you're in need of additional resources, simply refer to the FaaS provider's guidelines to increase your use. Many FaaS service providers provide horizontal scaling. This means that if you use increases it will provide you with additional resources to cope with the increase.

Additionally, you don't need to worry about maintaining your equipment, Disaster Recovery (DR), or security.

In the end, FaaS is very efficient. The service providers only cost users for the services they utilize, which means you'll spend less on FaaS than you do for your own equipment. In the same way, your applications do not run in the background but remain in idle. It's not necessary to pay for them to be idle, either.

What do you think? Is FaaS the only option? Not quite.

The cons of FaaS Models FaaS Model

Additionally, you must adhere to the strict requirements of the FaaS vendor. The FaaS function can only perform just one task, therefore if you aren't used to it, you'll have to change how you and your team write codes. Additionally, it is possible to rewrite code in the existing applications to make it suitable for FaaS deployment -- so FaaS can be more suitable to the latest programs, rather than previous versions.

In the end, selecting FaaS often means committing to a single vendor long-term. You work with your provider's rules and procedures as you develop your applications. Of course, changing providers will require you to redo some of your work and potentially interrupt your functions.

Pros vs. Cons

FaaS vs SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS

IaaS, PaaS, and FaaS Services have the same purpose They help businesses manage applications cheaper and more efficiently. Each option, however, offers something different.

Contrary to IaaS and PaaS, FaaS allows you the option of renting space for running tasks independently. This allows it to be much more flexible.

Here's a short overview of the ways in which they differ:

The Market's Size and Share and the Top Vendors

The growth of FaaS reflects an overall shift in the way companies are creating new programmes.

You can see this trend through the data of 7164 C-suite executives from Statista. Between the years 2019-2021, the use of one cloud provider, whether private or public declined, and many organizations adopted multiple cloud solutions.

The majority of people are switching to FaaS due to its future-proofing and adaptable. Additionally, it gives greater efficiency and productivity, a faster time-to-market for appsand is a cost-effective way to produce innovative applications.

The benefits of FaaS are attractive to many sectors, including organizations in banking (or "BFSI" organisations) Consumer goods and retail, entertainment, telecommunications, Information and Technology Enabled Services (ITES) and healthcare, and manufacturing. The following is a breakdown of how each industry is contributing to the FaaS market:

Unlike SaaS, there aren't thousands of FaaS providers for companies to select from. The vast majority of FaaS relies on solutions from big players, such as AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, IBM Cloud Functions, Google Cloud Functions, Alibaba Cloud as well as Cloudflare Workers.

We'll cover each of these providers now.

AWS Lambda

It was launched by Amazon in November 2014, AWS Lambda is an extremely popular FaaS tool. At the time of its Q4 in 2021 33% of cloud customers used an AWS service.

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AWS Lambda offers native support for various programming languages, such as Node.js, C#, Python, Ruby, Go, Java, and Powershell. As we mentioned in "What is Function as a service (FaaS)?" Alexa uses AWS Lambda to help her develop skills.

The Features and Functions of the Device:

• Monitors your program's performance with Amazon CloudWatch
• Docker containers are available for deployment (AWS launched this feature in December, 2020)

Pros:

• It is possible to build your own backend with the help of Lambda API or the Amazon API gateway
• Functions can be deployed in the form of container images
• You can connect to databases that are relational using Amazon RDS Proxy
• You have the option of deciding how much memory is allocated for each task.

Cons:

• If you're still not using AWS, setting it up will take a lot of time and effort

Microsoft Azure Functions

Specifications and Functions

• Your functions can be connected to over 250 connectors available in Azure Logic Apps
• Provides many tutorials for new users
• Aids you in analyzing your program with Azure Application Insights

Pros:

• Azure Functions uses an integrated programming model
• Multiple plans available

Cons:

Google Cloud Features

Features and Functions:

• Debugging and logging is integrated into Google Cloud Functions (via CloudTrace and CloudDebugger)
• Google Cloud Functions integrates with a variety of Google partner

Pros:

• Anyone who wants to use hybrid capabilities can use it
• It's an open source platform, meaning it's easy to move over to another FaaS platform, if you'd like
• It's very easy to utilize
• Google gives a wealth of resources for free to new users

Cons:

• Google Cloud Function's container-based services are not as advanced as other FaaS providers.

IBM Cloud

Features and Functions:

• It is possible to search for video content
• You can connect your program to other applications via IBM Watson APIs
• IBM offers pre-built functions for some common tasks

Pros:

• Excellent for creating mobile apps.
• Easy to learn to use
• Your app is monitored by IBM Cloud Monitoring

Cons:

• Limits the memory of your program up to 10 mins or 2048 MB

Alibaba Cloud

The Features and Functions of the Device:

• Connects to Alibaba's other computing and communications services
• Disaster proof, as Alibaba hosts functions on clusters spread across multiple locations.
• Video transcoding
• AI-based reason
• It supports Node.js, Python, Java, PHP, and C#

Pros:

• It offers a cost-free alternative for people who don't need to run much code
• Highly scalable
• There are many kinds of triggers

Cons:

• It isn't always easy to move features from Alibaba to an alternative FaaS provider

Cloudflare Workers

The Features and Functions of the Device:

• It supports JavaScript, C++, Rust, and C
• Images, PDFs, and other documents on Cloudflare Workers to deploy as static assets
• It is also disaster resistant, because Cloudflare Workers uses a global server network
• It is compatible into other Cloudflare products

Pros:

• It's more affordable than other FaaS options
• It's simple for developers who are new to learn to use
• It is possible to begin very quickly
• Cloudflare provides detailed tutorials and information that can assist you to create your own application.

Cons:

• Cloudflare Workers is less robust than other options and better suited to those with small-scale projects.

Faas Best Practices

Yes, FaaS can be described as a technological however, it's also a mentality that developers must take on when it comes to application and program development.

To maximize the benefits of FaaS adhere to these best methods:

• Be aware of FaaS' limitations. FaaS isn't suitable to every application If you attempt to build a program that isn't compatible with FaaS, it'll cost you time, effort and even money.
• Make sure you only run one action functions with FaaS. If you use functions that have more than one action, you interrupt the isolated context that FaaS's functions operate best in. The interruption can slow the application and decrease its efficiency.
• Avoid running functions with dependency. Dependencies will create problems with scalability and errors later.
• Watch your load time carefully. The load time is derived from the libraries you use or other functions that use a large amount of memory. A high load time will slow down your program and, in the end, frustrate the users.
• Cut down on the amount of Relationship Database Management System (RDBMS) connections you are using. The connections you use will add amount of time required for the functions to work and introduce a point of failure into the program.

Do You Need to Have FaaS?

FaaS is an innovative and revolutionary technology that has a lot to offer however it isn't going to work for everyone.

The companies that benefit the most benefit from FaaS will build applications using microservices that ensure every function does only one task. The functions must function independently and if they're dependent, there will be scaling issues.

If you're looking to develop applications that have a single architecture or functions that are dependent on one another FaaS could not function well. If you do not wish to be tied to a single vendor long-term the FaaS model may be an unwise choice.

You can still leverage cloud technology with no FaaS. You could, for example consider investing in PaaS or IaaS for outsourcing some of your application's functions to the cloud. It would offer you certain cost-saving and efficiency benefits of cloud computing, but you won't have to design your application within the limitations in this FaaS model.

Summary

FaaS isn't technobabble or the latest technology. This is a proven technology with a high degree of scalability that you should expect to witness more over the coming decade.

A description of FaaS may be difficult at times However, FaaS is simply a tool that lets developers develop and test code using an the infrastructure of someone else. Many services you regularly use, like Alexa uses FaaS. Common FaaS vendors include IBM Cloud Functions, AWS Lambda, Alibaba Cloud, Google Cloud Functions, and Microsoft Azure Functions.

Although FaaS is extremely efficient for some businesses however, it isn't for everyone. FaaS works best for running an isolated, stateless program that only performs one task.

We'd like to hand your microphone (or or the keyboard) over to you. What are your experiences using FaaS within your company, and do you have suggestions for anyone who is considering this technology at first? Please tell us in the comments section below.

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