The Serverless Framework is a free and open-source web framework written using Node.js. Serverless is the native architecture of the cloud that enables you to shift more of your operational responsibilities to AWS, increasing your innovation and productivity. This glossary article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Serverless Framework in the context of DevOps.
DevOps, a clipped compound of 'development' and 'operations', is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). It aims to shorten the systems development life cycle and provide continuous delivery with high software quality. The Serverless Framework and DevOps are closely intertwined, as the framework is a crucial tool in the DevOps toolkit.
Definition of Serverless Framework
The Serverless Framework is a tool that facilitates the building and deploying of applications using serverless architecture. It's designed to provide a unified experience across different cloud providers, such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. The framework enables developers to build applications without having to manage the underlying infrastructure.
Serverless computing is a cloud computing execution model where the cloud provider dynamically manages the allocation and provisioning of servers. A serverless application runs in stateless compute containers that are event-triggered, ephemeral, and fully managed by the cloud provider. The term 'serverless' denotes that developers do not need to worry about servers, even though servers are still involved in the process.
Understanding Serverless
Serverless architecture refers to applications that significantly depend on third-party services (known as Backend as a Service or "BaaS") or on custom code that's run in ephemeral containers (Function as a Service or "FaaS"). The key characteristic of a serverless architecture is that the developer doesn't have to think about servers: they just deploy code and the rest (scaling, patching, etc.) is handled by the cloud provider.
Serverless does not mean that there are no servers involved. Rather, it means that the servers are abstracted away and managed by the cloud provider. This abstraction allows developers to focus on writing code rather than managing and operating servers or runtimes, whether in the cloud or on-premises.
History of Serverless Framework
The Serverless Framework was first introduced in 2015 by Austen Collins, a software engineer and entrepreneur. It was initially designed to help developers build and deploy applications on AWS Lambda, a serverless computing platform provided by Amazon as a part of Amazon Web Services. Since then, the Serverless Framework has evolved and expanded to support other cloud providers and serverless technologies.
The Serverless Framework was born out of the recognition that developers needed a way to build applications without having to manage servers. The framework allows developers to focus on writing application code, while it takes care of the infrastructure management. This shift in focus has been a significant factor in the rise of the DevOps movement, which emphasizes the collaboration between development and operations teams.
Evolution of Serverless Framework
Since its inception, the Serverless Framework has grown and evolved to support a wide range of serverless technologies and cloud providers. It started with support for AWS Lambda and has since added support for Google Cloud Functions, Azure Functions, IBM OpenWhisk, and more. The framework has also expanded its feature set, adding support for things like deployment of serverless containers and real-time application state.
The Serverless Framework has also seen significant community growth and adoption. It has a vibrant community of contributors and users, and it's used by many companies around the world to build and deploy serverless applications. The framework's popularity is a testament to the growing interest in serverless technologies and the benefits they offer in terms of scalability, cost-efficiency, and developer productivity.
Use Cases of Serverless Framework
The Serverless Framework is used in a wide range of applications, from small personal projects to large-scale enterprise systems. Some of the most common use cases include web application backends, data processing, chatbots, IoT applications, and more. The framework's flexibility and ease of use make it a popular choice for these and other types of applications.
One of the key benefits of the Serverless Framework is its ability to abstract away the complexities of server management, allowing developers to focus on writing application code. This makes it an excellent choice for projects where rapid development and deployment are critical. The framework's support for multiple cloud providers also makes it a versatile tool for multi-cloud strategies.
Examples of Serverless Framework Use
One example of the Serverless Framework in action is the Bustle website, a popular online news and entertainment platform. Bustle uses the Serverless Framework to manage their AWS Lambda functions, which handle over 50 million monthly users. The framework allows Bustle to deploy updates and new features quickly, without worrying about server management.
Another example is Coca-Cola, which uses the Serverless Framework to manage their vending machine API. The API handles over 1 billion transactions per year, and the Serverless Framework allows Coca-Cola to scale their infrastructure to handle this volume of traffic without having to manage servers.
Conclusion
The Serverless Framework is a powerful tool for building and deploying serverless applications. It abstracts away the complexities of server management, allowing developers to focus on writing application code. This, combined with its support for multiple cloud providers, makes it a versatile tool in the DevOps toolkit.
As serverless technologies continue to evolve and mature, the Serverless Framework is likely to play an increasingly important role in the world of DevOps. By providing a unified, easy-to-use platform for building and deploying serverless applications, the Serverless Framework is helping to drive the adoption of serverless technologies and the growth of the DevOps movement.