What is Serverless Computing?
Serverless computing is a cloud execution model where the cloud provider manages the server infrastructure and automatically allocates compute resources on demand.
Serverless computing is a cloud execution model where the cloud provider manages the server infrastructure and automatically allocates compute resources on demand. You write functions, the cloud runs them, and you pay only for actual execution time.
Popular serverless platforms: AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, Azure Functions, Cloudflare Workers, and Vercel Edge Functions.
Serverless advantages: zero infrastructure management, automatic scaling (from zero to millions of requests), pay-per-use pricing (no idle costs), and faster time-to-market.
Serverless limitations: cold start latency (first invocation after idle period is slow), 15-minute execution limits, statelessness (no persistent connections), vendor lock-in (Lambda code doesn't run on Azure Functions), debugging complexity, and cost unpredictability at high volume (can be more expensive than reserved instances above certain traffic levels).
Why It Matters
Serverless eliminates infrastructure management overhead but introduces new constraints. Understanding when serverless saves money versus when it costs more is critical for architecture decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is serverless?
A cloud model where you write functions and the cloud provider handles all infrastructure. You pay only for execution time, with automatic scaling and zero infrastructure management.
When is serverless cheaper than traditional hosting?
For sporadic/unpredictable workloads with <1M requests/month. Above that, reserved instances or containers are typically cheaper. Calculate your expected costs before committing.
Related Terms
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