Developing Java Applications in a Serverless Environment

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Developing Java Applications in a Serverless Environment

Java still remains the number one choice for developing enterprise applications. However, a Java application alone is not enough in the enterprise world: operating systems, machines, application servers, JREs, etc., are also required for the proper code functionality. This additional requirement makes application development, testing, and operating harder. Serverless architecture can help developers increase the pace of development and avoid problems. In this blog, we are going to talk about serverless architecture and its benefits for developers. 

What is Serverless Development?

Serverless is not a new concept in the software development world, but it has become more popular in recent times. A serverless setup creates the possibility of delegating the responsibility of infrastructure setup and maintenance work to a cloud service provider. This enables the developers to only focus on the core business logic. Java programming language is very suitable for serverless development and fully supported by cloud providers such as AWS and Azure. Serverless architecture is a software environment where our applications are hosted on a third-party service. The software owners don’t need to manage the software and hardware layers for the applications to work. The biggest benefit of this infrastructure is dynamic scaling to meet the changing requirements. 

FaaS vs PaaS 

There are often several misconceptions between function-as-a-service (FaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS). Serverless architecture is based on FaaS, which means it is a cloud computing platform that enables developers to develop, run, and manage applications as functions. They don’t need to manage the infrastructure backing up the architecture. In platform-as-a-service (Paas), developers have to develop the application with a traditional approach and deploy the entire application. This is done with a WAR file, and developers have to scale the entire application accordingly. FaaS enables us to divide an application into individual and autonomous functionalities. We have more power to deploy each function independently with better scalability while working with FaaS. In any case, Faas is far better when it comes to optimal resource utilisation. 

Benefits of Developing Java Applications with a Serverless Architecture 

The function of a serverless architecture is very simple. A developer uploads a code with a specific purpose and triggers its execution to answer a selected event. The following are some of the notable benefits of developing Java applications with a serverless architecture: 

Simplification in the Delivery of Software

Developing an application with the help of a cloud service requires smaller code than the traditional approach. Java developers don’t have to take the headache of building apps from scratch with boilerplate, security, monitoring code, and administration. Cloud-based solutions are both cost-effective and reliable. The development team working on an application can put their entire focus on fulfilling the business requirements with code. 

It is Easier to Maintain Applications in a Serverless Architecture

Implementing a serverless approach is much easier than traditional, but maintenance also takes significantly less effort. There’s no requirement to manage the entire infrastructure manually. The service-providers themselves are responsible for scalability and monitoring work. 

Serverless Architecture Has Significantly Lower Costs  

Having a faster development cycle with easier maintenance translates into lower system costs. Moreover, the pricing schemes of services are very attractive and up to a point. You will be only charged when your code is running in the system. This architecture is extraordinarily cost-effective if your system and its bits are being used irregularly. However, if you have a stable and high workload system, then a serverless solution might become an expensive affair. 

Developers Find it Easy to Prototype with Serverless

When using a serverless approach for developing an application, developers are able to develop prototypes easily and smoothly. This also helps them to learn which solution might be optimal. 

Serverless Makes Time to Market Faster

The lightweight and flexible nature of the serverless architecture makes it possible to release applications to the market quickly. This speed to market is really important when you consider the tough competition in the existing market. Time is money in application development, and faster speed can ensure you be the first in the market. Thus, serverless architecture is very time effective. 

Scope for Continuous Improvements

Updating a traditional infrastructure takes more time and effort. In contrast, cloud-based solutions are continuously being improved by their service providers. You don’t need to invest again and again to enjoy the improvements in the infrastructure when you have chosen a serverless architecture. 

Serverless Application Development with Java

Java is considered a robust language for serverless development. The best thing is that you don’t need to rewrite to JavaScript if you have an existing application in Java. It is possible to create a reliable serverless system in Java. These are some of the reasons why you should consider Java for serverless development:

Huge Sets of Libraries

Java is known for having huge sets of libraries and is a widely used software language in various industries. Some sectors are entirely dependent on the language for developing their applications. For example, the finance sector uses tons of Java libraries to develop customised applications. Choosing Java while going serverless makes sense if your software is reliant on libraries only available with Java. 

Existing Support for Java

Java is one of the oldest and most trusted programming languages. If you have your existing software written in Java, then converting it into another language might not be optimal. Developers could easily work on existing or new serverless solutions. Switching to serverless might be a bit challenging for a team since they have to learn new tools and approaches. However, introducing another programming language takes this problem to new heights, which might not be necessary in the first place. 

Works Well with Partial Solutions

The developer might decide to conduct the migration process in partial sets. In such situations, containerised applications might perform well with a function assigned to managing events. 

A third party is responsible for the management of infrastructure. Thus, tons of players in the market provide a serverless architecture for application development. However, only a few prominent ones dominate the market. These are some of the mentionable vendors: 

Serverless with AWS

AWS is perhaps the most popular provider for serverless services. This platform allows developers to run their code without managing or providing the servers. They can write the Lambda functions in any famous programming language like Java, Python, Go, etc. A Zip file or container image can be loaded as a code. 

Serverless with GCP

GCP offers similar features to AWS. It is a serverless product that lets developers pay as they go and automatically scales the applications depending on the load. 

Serverless with Azure

The Microsoft Azure platform is another FaaS service provider that gives you an event-driven serverless computation platform. It lets developers solve complicated problems like stateful coordination, connect to a host of other services, run our Functions on Kubernetes, etc.

Learning Java Serverless Cloud with LSET 

You might be a Java developer, but learning serverless technology can upscale your programming skills. Join the LSET’s Java Serverless Cloud certification course to master serverless technology and become more employable for the top Java jobs.

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