Serverless App Development Pros and Cons

Experts are saying that by the year 2021, 85% of enterprise workload will be based in the cloud and serverless architecture is an increasingly acceptable approach to mobile app development. The deployment and maintenance of the server are outsourced. The term ‘Serverless’ is used from the developers' point of view where they do not maintain the underlying infrastructure required for the running, deployment and testing of application code.

In the year 2014, Amazon introduced serverless cloud computing named as Amazon AWS and now Google and Microsoft also providing the same service and these are popularly known as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Overview of  an application has serverless architecture: 

Serverless architecture is completely event-driven. Each event calls a function as a service or FaaS. Here the application is fully incorporate third-party, cloud-hosted applications and services to manage server-side logic and state. In serverless architecture, the total infrastructure is provided by third-party as Back end as a service or BaaS.

The third-party vendor provides all the necessary tools for testing, debugging, maintenance, monitoring, security etc.

Component of Serverless Architecture

The framework of serverless architecture for application development comprises of 

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Client Application

A static web server is only needed for running client application means the client interface must be provided on the client-side.

Web Server

To render the client application, a web server is needed where the client application must be strong enough to serve all the static HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

FaaS

The most important component of serverless computing is FaaS or Function as a service. The required operating system, tool or framework is available through FaaS with a few clicks and these functions enable teams to develop, run, deploy and manage applications without worrying about server.

STS (Security Token Service)

The service provider API is needed to log into the system, and using its various service, by the user. Each time the Serverless Architecture generates a security token per user which will trigger access to said API. 

User Authentication

The authentication process is started by client signup for the service and then serverless computing service enables quick and easy signup and login process for end-users.

Database

The data related to the application is needed to be stored in a database. The database is an essential part of serverless computing.

The good side of using serverless computing or app development

• It's Cheaper!

Serverless computing is cheaper than traditional cloud computing. Faas allows minimum price per request, as a result, you have to pay a little to build a standard amount of traffic.

• It’s hassle-free

App developers are felt carefree when they develop a serverless app because they don't need to worry about the infrastructure or legacy platform need to develop or deploy the system. They can think only about providing the best solution to the client. Serverless Infrastructure offers continuous integration and continuous delivery tools.

• Automatically Scalable 

Applications can be scaled up quickly. At the time of app development, the developers can start using the new services and environment essential for scaling up with few keystrokes.

• Pocket-friendly

For any application development, there are two major components costs are there such as infrastructure and human resource cost. Serverless infrastructure cost is a fraction of the original cost and the maintenance cost is nearly zero so the development budget should be focused on innovation which decreases the overall project cost.

The bad side of Serverless Computing or app development

• Third-party API issues

When the end-user uses a serverless application, then many issues have been found such as forced updating, vendor control, security, loss of functionality etc. It would happen on rendering third party API. Third-party service provider charged the client based on the ‘amount of time resources are used’ or ‘the number of functions running’. So the bill will go high with time if the vendor provides shared infrastructure, speed, security, and bug fixes.

• Lack of metrics and operational tools

Operational metrics released by the third party is not a sufficient amount and the operation of serverless architecture is non-transparent also. To debug and monitor applications, developers are faced lots of trouble and they do not have enough tools to redirect traffic or take any other necessary step to solve the outage problems.

• Startup issues

The serverless function has been categorised into two types, Cold Function and Warm Function. A less used function or a function which has been used a long time ago is called cold function and the common use or regularly use function is called  Warm function. The speed of service is not fixed in case of said functions. A Cold function takes longer time to launch whereas the warm one launch quickly.

So do you choose serverless architecture for your app development?

As an android app developer from  GetAProgrammar in Australia, I recommend you to go for serverless architecture due to some crucial reasons are given below - 

• If you want to get rid of unnecessary provisioning, implementation, debugging and infrastructure maintenance. 
• A cost-effective and quality application which have innovative feature and seamless behaviour.
• Frequently and immediate updatable lightweight application for every business need.
• You can develop a hybrid application
• Automatic scaling up for decent optimisation.

It is expected that the serverless computing will be more secure and reliable in the nearer future. If you have any query regarding this matter or android app development, you can feel free to get in touch with GetAProgrammar, an android app development company in Australia, serves more than 12+ years to deliver advanced technology adopted, useful and unique mobile application.

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Source : www.getaprogrammer.com.au