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AWS Lambda: A Guide to Serverless Microservices
AWS Lambda - A Guide to Serverless Microservices takes a comprehensive look at developing "serverless" workloads using the new Amazon Web Services Lambda service. Lambda enables users to develop code that executes in response to events - API calls, file uploads, schedules, etc - and upload it without worrying about managing traditional server metrics such as disk space, memory, or CPU usage. With its "per execution" cost model, Lambda can enable organizations to save hundreds or thousands of dollars on computing costs. With in-depth walkthroughs, large screenshots, and complete code samples, the reader is guided through the step-by-step process of creating new functions, responding to infrastructure events, developing API backends, executing code at specified intervals, and much more. Introduction to AWS Computing Evolution of the Computing Workload Lambda Background The Internals The Basics Functions Languages Resource Allocation Getting Set Up Hello World Uploading the Function Working with Events AWS Events Custom Events The Context Object Properties Methods Roles and Permissions Policies Trust Relationships Console Popups Cross Account Access Dependencies and Resources Node Modules OS Dependencies OS Resources OS Commands Logging Searching Logs Testing Your Function Lambda Console Tests Third-Party Testing Libraries Simulating Context Hello S3 Object The Bucket The Role The Code The Event The Trigger Testing When Lambda Isn’t the Answer Host Access Fine-Tuned Configuration Security Long-Running Tasks Where Lambda Excels AWS Event-Driven Tasks Scheduled Events (Cron) Offloading Heavy Processing API Endpoints Infrequently Used Services Real-World Use Cases S3 Image Processing Shutting Down Untagged Instances Triggering CodeDeploy with New S3 Uploads Processing Inbound Email Enforcing Security Policies Detecting Expiring Certificates Utilizing the AWS API Execution Environment The Code Pipeline Cold vs. Hot Execution What is Saved in Memory Scaling and Container Reuse From Development to Deployment Application Design Development Patterns Testing Deployment Monitoring Versioning and Aliasing Costs Short Executions Long-Running Processes High-Memory Applications Free Tier Calculating Pricing CloudFormation Reusable Template with Minimum Permissions Cross Account Access CloudWatch Alerts AWS API Gateway API Gateway Event Creating the Lambda Function Creating a New API, Resource, and Method Initial Configuration Mapping Templates Adding a Query String Using HTTP Request Information Within Lambda Deploying the API Additional Use Cases Lambda Competitors Iron.io StackHut WebTask.io Existing Cloud Providers The Future of Lambda More Resources Conclusion
127 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2016
415 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 19, 2016
Fit for a purpose.
Promises to be a well-tailored introduction to recent technology & delivers. Not by just presenting few code samples - there's quite nice SWOT analysis present, brief overview of competition & a brief description of supplementary tech (API Gateway).
Not too much, not too little - about just enough.
Thumbs up from me.
Promises to be a well-tailored introduction to recent technology & delivers. Not by just presenting few code samples - there's quite nice SWOT analysis present, brief overview of competition & a brief description of supplementary tech (API Gateway).
Not too much, not too little - about just enough.
Thumbs up from me.
February 23, 2019
So disappointed
It's just provide less-than-introduction level of the topics. Even Amazon docs better than this book. There are a ton of free reaources that can make you become Serverless dev. eg. sevverless-stack dot com.
I recommend not buy this book.
It's just provide less-than-introduction level of the topics. Even Amazon docs better than this book. There are a ton of free reaources that can make you become Serverless dev. eg. sevverless-stack dot com.
I recommend not buy this book.
December 18, 2017
As someone new to Amazon Lambda and wanting a 10,000 foot overview of what it is and how it works, this little gem of a book delivered exactly what I wanted to know. It touches on all of the concepts involved, the good, the bad, and how it relates to other AWS services. Only downside is that it could use some updating as a few things have changed since this was published. As far as code examples go, it provides some basic "get up and running" examples, but nothing in-depth, so if you're looking for a code cookbook or lots of practical "heavy lifting" examples this isn't the book for you. The author also does not cover advanced topics such as application architecture, building "multi-project" applications, how Lambda "projects" interoperate or call one another, etc., in any depth. Overall a great basic high level introduction to the technology and how it fits into the AWS ecosystem, but don't expect to start building API-driven web apps when you're finished. You will come away knowing what it is, does, its limitations, etc. though. Overall a great introduction to the technology.
July 18, 2017
Gives a very brief review about Lambda services. Just touches each concept in a nutshell. I was expecting more on lambda topics, also now with new API release, some of the concepts are obsolete. But none the less, liked reading it quickly to head start with AWS lambda.
December 28, 2017
Great but C# lambda functions are missing. Time for a new edition?
Great little book. Wish it had more practical examples and concept diagrams. C# was not supported at the time of the writing. A good opportunity for a review edition.
Great little book. Wish it had more practical examples and concept diagrams. C# was not supported at the time of the writing. A good opportunity for a review edition.
January 21, 2017
Not recommended
I was looking for a book with practical examples. This books talks about Lambda in general, without providing anything practical.
I was looking for a book with practical examples. This books talks about Lambda in general, without providing anything practical.
May 11, 2017
Good solid read
Good read even if you need to skim there is a lot of good info especially for a noob like me to lambda.
Good read even if you need to skim there is a lot of good info especially for a noob like me to lambda.
October 13, 2017
Quite interesting and highlighting. Not a comprehensive course obviously but quite interesting nevertheless
January 11, 2018
Helpful Perspective
This book was much easier for me to read than the AWS documentation. Not sure how up-to-date it is as of 01/10/2018.
This book was much easier for me to read than the AWS documentation. Not sure how up-to-date it is as of 01/10/2018.
October 30, 2019
Great way to get started!
Enjoyed the book and the possibilities that Lambda offers! There was enough direction and detail to allow me to fill in the gaps at a later stage.
Enjoyed the book and the possibilities that Lambda offers! There was enough direction and detail to allow me to fill in the gaps at a later stage.
December 28, 2019
A good brief introduction. Is unavoidable that a 4 year old text have some outdated info.
March 11, 2017
My background: I knew already a little bit about Lambda. Was reading it mostly to figure out if that's a good book to recommend to someone just starting with AWS Lambda or serverless computing in general.
It is supposed to be an entry-level, quick reading. I think it delivers on this promise but perhaps not much more. Examples are simple most of the time; really, very basic. There is (?) a companion Github repo with samples but it's again modest at best (I mean - it's basically couple of files with CloudFormation samples).
On the plus side book is relatively cheap - less than $5. And it's short too :)
Don't get me wrong - it's not a bad book (having in mind it's goals). It's simply OK. 3 stars is basically "I (kinda) liked it" rating on ŷ which actually describes my sentiment towards this book accurately.
It is supposed to be an entry-level, quick reading. I think it delivers on this promise but perhaps not much more. Examples are simple most of the time; really, very basic. There is (?) a companion Github repo with samples but it's again modest at best (I mean - it's basically couple of files with CloudFormation samples).
On the plus side book is relatively cheap - less than $5. And it's short too :)
Don't get me wrong - it's not a bad book (having in mind it's goals). It's simply OK. 3 stars is basically "I (kinda) liked it" rating on ŷ which actually describes my sentiment towards this book accurately.
September 29, 2017
AWS� Lambda� 대� 궁금� 점이 많았는데 � 책은 Node.js 위주� 설명했다. 내가 필요� 언어가 아니었음.
September 5, 2016
This book covers the basics with Lambda. You learn how to create, debug, and monitor your Lambda code in JavaScript, and little helper modules are provided for simple tracing and logging, which I found useful as I taught myself how to create an event handler for my Amazon IoT button.
The notion of a microservice instance that only runs upon a triggered event of some kind solves a ton of problems in cloud programming. While I have used Node.js in my companies for a few years, I am glad to see that other languages will be supported (though I suppose you can always exec or spawn code in any language from Node).
This book was a useful quick-starting tool for me. A $4 book recommended with 4 stars. You can probably find this information around for free, but it’s so cheap, quick to get, and nice to have in one place.
The notion of a microservice instance that only runs upon a triggered event of some kind solves a ton of problems in cloud programming. While I have used Node.js in my companies for a few years, I am glad to see that other languages will be supported (though I suppose you can always exec or spawn code in any language from Node).
This book was a useful quick-starting tool for me. A $4 book recommended with 4 stars. You can probably find this information around for free, but it’s so cheap, quick to get, and nice to have in one place.
February 7, 2016
Good introduction to AWS Lambda
I've found this book very useful and well written. I haven't tried Lambda yet but after reading this book I feel I know the concepts and ideas in a very confident way.
I've found this book very useful and well written. I haven't tried Lambda yet but after reading this book I feel I know the concepts and ideas in a very confident way.
September 30, 2016
Good primer
Good introduction to lambda, although node.js centric. Brief pass over api gateway was extremely welcome, but it's more of a jumping off point rather than being an in depth examination.
Good introduction to lambda, although node.js centric. Brief pass over api gateway was extremely welcome, but it's more of a jumping off point rather than being an in depth examination.
August 26, 2016
50,000Ft overview ... It is a complicated topic to explain with many variables for example the readers ability and staying current with AWS changes. It was almost like a O'reilly cookbook but the examples and explanations felt thin.
September 4, 2016
This was a nice quick intro to AWS Lambda, easily digested in a couple hours. Kudos for that!
Minor downside: code samples were formatted in fixed width boxes, so lots of line wraps, which makes even simple code snippets a bit painful to read.
Minor downside: code samples were formatted in fixed width boxes, so lots of line wraps, which makes even simple code snippets a bit painful to read.
July 19, 2016
The book introduced basic rationale behind AWS lambda and comes with sample code in Node.js. A quick read if you want to know what the technology is.
March 16, 2016
Good book that delivered exactly what I thought it would. A quick cursive introduction to AWS Lambda. Which was what I was looking for. Bang-for-the-buck wise an awesome investment :).
March 4, 2016
A well written introduction to AWS lambda, although lacks depth when it comes to authentication/security. The advantages of lambda over EC2 are made clear.
June 29, 2016
Finally got to this book as it's been on my queue for a bit. It's quite good and has solid examples. Slightly dated but the best books are these days.
July 4, 2016
Good general overview
This is a good book for beginning your journey in lambda stack. It has a blend of concept articles with in depth technical code articles.
This is a good book for beginning your journey in lambda stack. It has a blend of concept articles with in depth technical code articles.
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