Want to hire AWS Serverless developer? Then you should know!
- Hard skills of a AWS Serverless Developer
- TOP 14 Tech facts and history of creation and versions about AWS Serverless Development
- What are top AWS Serverless instruments and tools?
- Cases when AWS Serverless does not work
- Soft skills of a AWS Serverless Developer
- Pros & cons of AWS Serverless
- How and where is AWS Serverless used?
- TOP 10 AWS Serverless Related Technologies
Hard skills of a AWS Serverless Developer
Hard skills of an AWS Serverless Developer
Junior
- AWS Lambda: Experience with serverless computing using AWS Lambda functions.
- AWS API Gateway: Knowledge of creating, configuring, and managing APIs using AWS API Gateway.
- Amazon DynamoDB: Understanding of NoSQL database service provided by AWS.
- AWS CloudFormation: Proficiency in using CloudFormation to define and deploy serverless infrastructure.
- AWS S3: Familiarity with Amazon S3 for storing and retrieving data in serverless applications.
Middle
- AWS Step Functions: Ability to design and implement complex workflows using AWS Step Functions.
- AWS IAM: Knowledge of Identity and Access Management (IAM) for managing permissions and security in serverless applications.
- AWS X-Ray: Experience in using AWS X-Ray for debugging and analyzing performance of serverless applications.
- AWS CloudWatch: Proficiency in monitoring and logging serverless applications using AWS CloudWatch.
- AWS EventBridge: Understanding of event-driven architectures and expertise in using AWS EventBridge for event routing and processing.
- AWS Cognito: Familiarity with AWS Cognito for user authentication and authorization in serverless applications.
- AWS CodePipeline: Ability to set up and manage continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines using AWS CodePipeline.
Senior
- AWS API Gateway V2: In-depth knowledge of the latest version of AWS API Gateway for building robust and scalable APIs.
- AWS SAM: Proficiency in using AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM) for building and deploying serverless applications.
- AWS AppSync: Experience in building real-time GraphQL APIs using AWS AppSync.
- AWS Step Functions Express Workflows: Ability to optimize and streamline workflows using Step Functions Express Workflows.
- AWS Lambda Layers: Expertise in using Lambda Layers to manage and share code across multiple Lambda functions.
- AWS CloudFormation StackSets: Knowledge of using CloudFormation StackSets for deploying serverless resources across multiple AWS accounts or regions.
- AWS Secrets Manager: Understanding of AWS Secrets Manager for securely storing and managing sensitive information in serverless applications.
- AWS Lambda Destinations: Proficiency in using Lambda Destinations to configure asynchronous error handling and retry mechanisms.
Expert/Team Lead
- AWS Step Functions Data Science SDK: Mastery in using the Step Functions Data Science SDK for building machine learning workflows.
- AWS Lambda Extensions: Expertise in using Lambda Extensions to customize the behavior of Lambda functions.
- AWS CloudFormation Macros: Ability to create and use CloudFormation Macros to simplify and automate the deployment of serverless infrastructure.
- AWS Serverless Application Repository: Knowledge of publishing, sharing, and discovering serverless applications in the AWS Serverless Application Repository.
- AWS EventBridge Schema Registry: Proficiency in using the EventBridge Schema Registry to manage event schemas and enforce compatibility.
- AWS Lambda Provisioned Concurrency: Understanding of Lambda Provisioned Concurrency for optimizing the performance of serverless applications.
- AWS App Runner: Familiarity with AWS App Runner for deploying and scaling containerized applications.
- AWS CloudFormation Drift Detection: Expertise in using CloudFormation Drift Detection to identify and manage changes in serverless infrastructure.
- AWS Amplify: Knowledge of AWS Amplify for building full-stack serverless applications with a focus on front-end development.
- AWS Step Functions Workflow Studio: Ability to design and visualize complex workflows using the Step Functions Workflow Studio.
- AWS Lambda Extensions API: Mastery in extending and customizing Lambda functionality using the Lambda Extensions API.
TOP 14 Tech facts and history of creation and versions about AWS Serverless Development
- AWS Serverless Development is a cloud computing approach where developers can build and run applications without the need to manage servers or infrastructure.
- It was introduced in 2014 by Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of the leading cloud service providers.
- The concept of serverless computing was pioneered by Chris Munns, a Senior Developer Advocate at AWS.
- AWS Lambda, the core service of serverless development, was launched in 2014, allowing developers to run code without provisioning or managing servers.
- AWS Serverless Development enables developers to focus solely on writing code and building applications, as the underlying infrastructure is automatically managed by AWS.
- With serverless development, developers only pay for the execution time of their code, resulting in cost savings and increased efficiency.
- One of the groundbreaking features of AWS Serverless Development is event-driven architecture, where code is triggered by events such as changes in data or user actions.
- AWS Serverless Development supports multiple programming languages, including Node.js, Python, Java, and C#.
- AWS Step Functions, introduced in 2016, allows developers to build serverless workflows by coordinating multiple AWS services and custom code.
- In 2018, AWS announced the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM), which simplifies the deployment and management of serverless applications.
- AWS AppSync, released in 2018, is a serverless GraphQL service that simplifies building real-time, offline-capable applications.
- With AWS Serverless Development, scalability is automatically handled by AWS, allowing applications to seamlessly handle spikes in traffic without manual intervention.
- AWS X-Ray, introduced in 2017, provides debugging and performance analysis capabilities for serverless applications, helping developers identify and optimize bottlenecks.
- The Serverless Application Repository, launched in 2018, allows developers to discover, deploy, and share pre-built serverless applications and components.
What are top AWS Serverless instruments and tools?
- AWS Lambda: AWS Lambda is a serverless computing service provided by Amazon Web Services. It was first introduced in 2014 and has since gained popularity for its ability to execute code without the need for provisioning or managing servers. Lambda supports multiple programming languages and can be used for a wide range of applications, such as data processing, real-time file processing, and building serverless architectures.
- AWS API Gateway: AWS API Gateway is a fully managed service that makes it easy for developers to create, publish, maintain, monitor, and secure APIs at any scale. It allows developers to create RESTful APIs and WebSocket APIs using HTTP or WebSocket protocols. API Gateway also provides features like authentication, authorization, caching, and request throttling, making it a powerful tool for building serverless applications with AWS Lambda.
- AWS Step Functions: AWS Step Functions is a serverless workflow service that allows you to coordinate and orchestrate multiple AWS services in a visual manner. It provides a graphical interface to design and run workflows using a state machine-based approach. Step Functions can be used to build complex, event-driven applications, and it integrates seamlessly with other AWS services like Lambda, DynamoDB, and SNS.
- AWS DynamoDB: AWS DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database service that provides fast and predictable performance with seamless scalability. It was launched in 2012 and has become a popular choice for serverless applications due to its ability to handle high-scale workloads and automatic scaling capabilities. DynamoDB is known for its low-latency reads and writes, making it suitable for use cases like real-time analytics, gaming, and IoT applications.
- AWS S3: Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) is an object storage service that offers industry-leading scalability, data availability, security, and performance. It has been available since 2006 and has become a cornerstone of many serverless applications. S3 can be used to store and retrieve any amount of data from anywhere on the web, making it an essential tool for storing static files, hosting websites, and serving as a data lake for analytics.
- AWS CloudFormation: AWS CloudFormation is a service that allows you to define your infrastructure as code using a JSON or YAML template. It enables you to provision and manage a collection of AWS resources in an automated and predictable manner. CloudFormation is widely used in serverless architectures to define and deploy the necessary resources, such as Lambda functions, API Gateways, and DynamoDB tables, as part of a single, reusable template.
- AWS X-Ray: AWS X-Ray is a distributed tracing system that helps developers analyze and debug applications in a serverless environment. It provides insights into how requests flow through your application, allowing you to identify performance bottlenecks and troubleshoot issues. X-Ray supports various AWS services, including Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB, and provides a detailed view of the entire request lifecycle, including external service calls.
- AWS SAM: AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM) is an open-source framework for building serverless applications. It extends CloudFormation to define serverless resources, such as Lambda functions, API Gateway APIs, and DynamoDB tables, using a simplified syntax. SAM provides a local development environment, simplifies deployment, and offers additional capabilities like automatic scaling and environment variables management.
Cases when AWS Serverless does not work
- High and consistent traffic: AWS Serverless is designed to handle bursty and unpredictable workloads efficiently. However, if your application has a consistently high level of traffic, it may not be the best fit for a serverless architecture. In such cases, a traditional server-based approach might be more suitable as it allows for more control over resource allocation and scaling.
- Long-running processes: AWS Lambda, the core component of AWS Serverless, has a maximum execution time limit of 15 minutes. If your application requires longer-running processes, such as complex data processing or machine learning tasks, you may need to consider an alternative solution that supports longer execution times.
- Large file processing: AWS Lambda has a maximum deployment package size limit of 50 MB. If your application needs to process large files, such as videos or high-resolution images, you may encounter limitations with AWS Serverless. In such cases, utilizing a server-based approach with larger storage capacity might be more appropriate.
- Strict latency requirements: Although AWS Serverless provides excellent scalability, it may not be the best choice for applications with strict latency requirements. Due to the nature of serverless architectures, there might be a slight delay in processing the first request, known as a cold start. If your application demands instant response times, a traditional server-based approach could be more suitable.
- Legacy systems and dependencies: If your application heavily relies on legacy systems or external dependencies that are not compatible with AWS Serverless, it may not be feasible to migrate to a serverless architecture. Serverless computing works best with cloud-native applications that are designed to be modular and independent of specific infrastructure requirements.
Soft skills of a AWS Serverless Developer
Soft skills are essential for an AWS Serverless Developer to succeed in their role. These skills complement the technical expertise and contribute to overall job performance and collaboration within teams.
Junior
- Effective Communication: Ability to clearly express ideas and concepts to team members and stakeholders.
- Problem Solving: Aptitude for identifying and resolving issues with a logical and analytical approach.
- Adaptability: Willingness to learn and quickly adapt to new technologies and frameworks.
- Teamwork: Capability to collaborate and work effectively in a team environment.
- Time Management: Skill to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines efficiently.
Middle
- Leadership Skills: Ability to take ownership and lead small teams or projects effectively.
- Critical Thinking: Proficiency in analyzing complex problems and proposing innovative solutions.
- Mentoring: Capability to mentor and share knowledge with junior team members.
- Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
- Conflict Resolution: Skill to resolve conflicts and facilitate smooth communication within teams.
- Attention to Detail: Keen eye for detail to ensure high-quality deliverables.
- Client Management: Ability to engage with clients and understand their requirements.
Senior
- Strategic Thinking: Capability to align technical solutions with business goals and objectives.
- Decision Making: Proficiency in making informed decisions based on analysis and evaluation.
- Project Management: Skill to manage complex projects, including planning and resource allocation.
- Innovation: Ability to identify and implement innovative solutions for business challenges.
- Presentation Skills: Proficient in delivering presentations to stakeholders at various levels.
- Collaboration: Skill to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and departments.
- Empathy: Ability to understand and empathize with team members and stakeholders.
- Continuous Learning: Willingness to stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in AWS Serverless technologies.
Expert/Team Lead
- Strategic Leadership: Capability to provide strategic direction and guide teams towards achieving long-term goals.
- Conflict Management: Proficiency in managing and resolving conflicts within the team.
- Influence and Negotiation: Skill to influence and negotiate effectively with stakeholders.
- Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business processes and ability to align technical solutions accordingly.
- Team Building: Capability to build high-performing teams through effective recruitment and mentorship.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Proficient in collaborating with teams across different domains and disciplines.
- Change Management: Skill to manage and navigate through organizational changes effectively.
- Strategic Partnerships: Ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships with external entities.
- Thought Leadership: Proficiency in contributing to the industry through thought leadership and knowledge sharing.
- Customer-centric Approach: Capability to prioritize customer needs and deliver exceptional experiences.
- Risk Management: Skill to identify and mitigate risks associated with AWS Serverless development projects.
Pros & cons of AWS Serverless
9 Pros of AWS Serverless
- Scalability: AWS Serverless allows you to seamlessly scale your applications based on demand, ensuring optimal performance without the need for manual intervention.
- Cost-effective: With AWS Serverless, you only pay for the actual usage of your applications, eliminating the need for upfront infrastructure costs.
- Increased development speed: Serverless architecture enables developers to focus on writing code rather than managing servers, resulting in faster development cycles.
- Automatic scaling: AWS Serverless automatically scales your applications up or down based on workload, ensuring that your application can handle any traffic spike.
- Reduced operational overhead: Since AWS Serverless takes care of infrastructure management, you can save time and resources on tasks such as server provisioning, monitoring, and maintenance.
- Improved fault tolerance: AWS Serverless offers built-in fault tolerance mechanisms, such as auto-recovery and load balancing, ensuring high availability and resilience.
- Easy integration: AWS Serverless seamlessly integrates with other AWS services, allowing you to build complex and scalable applications using a wide range of services.
- Pay-per-execution: With AWS Serverless, you pay only for the actual execution time of your code, resulting in cost savings for applications with sporadic usage.
- Flexibility: AWS Serverless supports multiple programming languages, giving developers the freedom to choose the language they are most comfortable with.
9 Cons of AWS Serverless
- Vendor lock-in: Adopting AWS Serverless may lead to vendor lock-in, as it requires specific knowledge and expertise in AWS services.
- Cold start latency: AWS Serverless functions may experience a slight delay during the initial request, known as cold start latency, which can impact real-time applications.
- Complex debugging: Debugging and troubleshooting serverless applications can be more challenging compared to traditional server-based applications.
- Limited runtime: AWS Serverless has certain limitations on the runtime environment, which may restrict the use of specific libraries or frameworks.
- Increased complexity for large applications: As the size and complexity of your application grow, managing and orchestrating multiple serverless functions can become more complex.
- Dependency on third-party services: Serverless applications often rely on various third-party services, which may introduce additional dependencies and potential points of failure.
- Potential security risks: Serverless applications may face security risks such as data exposure or unauthorized access if not properly configured or secured.
- Limited control over underlying infrastructure: Since AWS Serverless abstracts the underlying infrastructure, you have limited control over the server environment.
- Potential performance limitations: In certain scenarios, serverless architecture may not provide the same level of performance as traditional server-based applications, especially for high-compute workloads.
How and where is AWS Serverless used?
Case name | Case Description |
---|---|
1. Airbnb | Airbnb, a leading online marketplace for lodging and homestays, utilizes AWS Serverless Development to handle their payment processing system. By leveraging AWS Lambda, Amazon API Gateway, and Amazon DynamoDB, Airbnb is able to handle millions of payment transactions securely and efficiently. The serverless architecture enables Airbnb to scale seamlessly, ensuring a smooth payment experience for their users. |
2. Netflix | Netflix, the world’s largest streaming platform, relies on AWS Serverless Development for various use cases, including content recommendation. With the help of AWS Lambda, Netflix can process large volumes of user data and generate personalized recommendations in real-time. By utilizing serverless computing, Netflix can handle the unpredictable spikes in user traffic and provide a seamless streaming experience to millions of subscribers worldwide. |
3. Coca-Cola | Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most recognizable beverage companies, leverages AWS Serverless Development to power their marketing campaigns. By using AWS Lambda and Amazon S3, Coca-Cola can handle high volumes of website traffic during promotional events without worrying about server capacity. The serverless architecture allows Coca-Cola to focus on creating engaging content and delivering personalized experiences to their customers, while AWS takes care of the underlying infrastructure. |
4. Fender | Fender, a renowned manufacturer of musical instruments, employs AWS Serverless Development to enhance their e-commerce platform. By utilizing AWS Lambda and Amazon DynamoDB, Fender can handle the scalability demands during peak shopping seasons. The serverless approach enables Fender to process orders, manage inventory, and provide a seamless shopping experience to their customers without the need to manage and maintain servers. |
5. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory | The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) uses AWS Serverless Development to support their space exploration missions. JPL leverages AWS Lambda and Amazon S3 to process and analyze data collected from satellites and rovers. The serverless architecture allows JPL to scale their data processing capabilities based on mission requirements without worrying about infrastructure management, enabling them to focus on scientific discoveries and exploration of the universe. |
TOP 10 AWS Serverless Related Technologies
Python
Python is a versatile and popular programming language for AWS Serverless Software Development. It offers a rich set of libraries and frameworks, such as AWS SDK for Python (Boto3), which simplifies the integration with AWS services. Python’s simplicity and readability make it a preferred language for developers.
Node.js
Node.js is a widely used JavaScript runtime that allows developers to build scalable and efficient serverless applications on AWS. It provides a non-blocking, event-driven architecture, which makes it suitable for handling concurrent requests. The vibrant Node.js ecosystem offers various frameworks like Express.js for building serverless APIs.
AWS Lambda
AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service offered by Amazon Web Services. It enables developers to run code without the need to provision or manage servers. With Lambda, you can easily build and deploy serverless applications using languages like Python, Node.js, Java, and more.
Amazon API Gateway
Amazon API Gateway is a fully managed service that makes it easy to create, publish, and manage APIs for serverless applications. It acts as a front door for serverless APIs, providing features like authentication, rate limiting, and request transformation.
AWS SAM (Serverless Application Model)
AWS SAM is an open-source framework for building serverless applications. It extends CloudFormation to provide a simplified syntax for defining serverless resources such as functions, APIs, and event sources. SAM helps developers streamline the deployment and management of serverless applications.
Docker
Docker is a popular containerization platform that allows developers to package their applications and dependencies into lightweight, isolated containers. It complements serverless development by providing a consistent and portable environment for running serverless functions locally or in production.
Terraform
Terraform is an infrastructure-as-code tool that enables developers to define and provision AWS resources in a declarative manner. It simplifies the management of serverless infrastructure by providing a consistent and version-controlled way to define and deploy resources like AWS Lambda functions and API Gateway endpoints.