What is Server-less Computing?

Nowadays, people are talking more and more about "serverless" architectures, "serverless" platforms and even "serverless" programming languages.

We're going to take a look at what this relatively new term actually means, why it's gaining so much traction and whether or not it's something that's right for your next project.

So, what exactly is "serverless"?

At its core, serverless is a way of structuring and building applications that doesn't require any dedicated server infrastructure. In the traditional sense, when we talk about servers, we're usually referring to big, physical machines that are housed in data centers and connected to the internet. These servers typically run an operating system (like Windows or Linux) and host applications and services that are accessed by users over the internet.

With serverless, there are no physical servers involved. Instead, your application code is running on top of a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) provider, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud Platform. These providers take care of all the necessary infrastructure and server management tasks, so you don't have to worry about it.

One of the key benefits of this approach is that it can save you a lot of money. In the traditional server model, you have to pay for the servers even when they're not being used. With serverless, you only pay for the resources your code uses while it's running. If your code isn't being executed, you don't have to pay anything. This can be a big advantage for small businesses or startups that may not have the budget to invest in their own physical servers.

Serverless computing is also becoming popular because it can make it easier to scale applications and services. When your code is running in the cloud, it's easy to add more resources as needed. This can be a big help if you have an application that experiences spikes in traffic.

If you're considering moving to a serverless architecture, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure you choose a cloud provider that offers the services and features you need. Second, consider the security implications of running code in the cloud. And finally, be prepared for some changes in the way you develop and deploy your applications.

But if you're looking for a more flexible and cost-effective way to run your applications, serverless computing is definitely worth considering.