Function as a Service (FaaS) is a cloud computing model in which the provider delivers software functions to clients over the Internet. FaaS allows developers to focus on writing code without having to manage the underlying servers or infrastructure. Each function is triggered by events, and is only charged for the time the function is used.
This model began in 2014 as a variation on Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). In May 2016, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched Lambda, which was the first FaaS product. It enables users to build complete applications in the cloud without any server configuration.
FaaS is advantageous because it simplifies development and allows for more agile development, as code changes can be made and tested quickly. It also helps decrease the overhead costs of having to manage and scale the underlying infrastructure. In addition, FaaS allows for automation of tasks, which can lower costs and help facilitate faster application development.
FaaS is used by organizations across many different industries. Companies such as Airbnb, Netflix, and Uber have all benefited from FaaS to develop and deploy their applications.
FaaS generally works in conjunction with serverless architectures. In this architecture, a user’s code is broken into microservices, which reduces the amount of pre-existing infrastructure needed to handle requests.
One example of a FaaS provider is Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS Lambda is their cloud-hosted, event-driven solution that helps businesses of any size run code in the cloud without having to manage servers.
FaaS is a relatively new technology and is likely to see significant growth over the coming years. As organizations become more comfortable with the cloud, many will turn to FaaS for the agility and scalability that it offers.
