When you hear the expression “low-code development,” what comes to mind? The image of software developers spending more time drinking Red Bull than typing code? Well, partly. It also means a shift toward development processes that require lower levels of upfront code to produce results faster and with less risk. That’s where Java Serverless comes in. The adoption of serverless computing is growing rapidly as enterprises and developers look for ways to make their applications faster to build, deploy, update, and remove — all while reducing operational costs at the same time. With these goals in mind, this article will take an introductory look at Java Serverless architectures and how they can be used to accelerate your enterprise deployment strategy. Let’s get started.
What is a Java Serverless architecture?
A Java Serverless architecture is a development approach that relies on a cloud-based service that can be invoked without the need for a dedicated virtual machine or a dedicated software or hardware infrastructure. In other words, it’s an architecture where you don’t have to run your own server and provision resources ahead of time. The benefits of Java Serverless architecture are the same as the benefits of serverless computing in general — namely, increased speed of development and deployment, reduced cost, and better scalability. You can build applications that are completely serverless, or you can use serverless architectures in a hybrid or multi-cloud environment.
How does a serverless architecture work?
A serverless architecture is based on functions that are called through an API, with the responsibility of hosting and execution falling on the cloud provider. The cloud provider manages the functions as discrete units of work that do not require any dedicated resources such as CPU, memory, disk space, or operating system. Once these functions are called, the provider’s operating system takes care of running them using only the required resources. The functions are typically written in languages that are supported by specific serverless platforms, such as Java Lambda, Python, or Node.js. The code is stored in a code repository, such as Git, and is triggered by events, such as API calls, database updates, or files being uploaded to a storage bucket.
3 Benefits of Java Serverless cloud
Reduced operational overhead – Since the cloud provider manages the functions and the resources they use, your team can focus on the application itself, instead of worrying about provisioning and managing resources.
Improved performance – Since the cloud provider manages the functions, you can scale and optimise the resources used by the functions on the fly and meet spikes in demand.
Easier integration – Since function calls are initiated through an API, it’s easier to integrate functions with existing systems.
Reduced software development time – Since functions can be written in any language and don’t require a virtual machine, you can write serverless functions in a fraction of the time it takes to write code for a traditional server architecture.
Reduced idle capacity – Since the cloud provider shuts down functions that aren’t being used, you can reduce idle capacity and save money.
Reduced risk of outages – If one particular function fails, the rest of the application is not affected.
Limitations of the serverless approach
Although serverless architectures have a number of advantages, there are also a few limitations to be aware of before you dive in.
Serverless architectures are not a good fit for long-running tasks or tasks that require persistent state. In addition, they typically don’t support stateless applications since they are based on an event-driven approach.
You typically pay for the functions that you use. While there are some providers that let you pay for what you use, others charge you for the capacity needed to run your functions, even if they aren’t being used.
It can be challenging to set up custom domains and SSL certificates for functions.
Wrapping up
Java Serverless architectures offer a range of advantages, including lower upfront costs, faster development and deployment times, and reduced risk. There are a few limitations to be aware of, including the fact that serverless architectures are not a good fit for long-running tasks or tasks that require persistent state. Overall, serverless architectures are a great way to accelerate your enterprise deployment strategy.