Azure Functions

Overview

Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that enables you to run event-triggered code without having to explicitly provision or manage infrastructure. It's part of Microsoft's Azure cloud platform and allows developers to focus on writing code that solves business problems while Azure handles the underlying servers and scaling.

Key Features

1. Serverless Architecture

• No infrastructure management required

• Automatic scaling based on workload

• Pay-per-use pricing model (you only pay when your code runs)

2. Multiple Language Support

• Supports C#, JavaScript/Node.js, Python, Java, PowerShell Core, and custom handlers

• Language specific runtime versions available

3. Trigger-Based Execution

• Functions execute in response to various triggers:

• HTTP requests (API endpoints)

• Timer/schedule

• Azure Storage (Blob, Queue, Table)

• Azure Service Bus

• Azure Event Hubs

• Cosmos DB changes

• Event Grid events

• And many more via bindings

4. Bindings

• Declarative connections to other services

• Input bindings (data provided to function)

• Output bindings (data sent from function)

• Supports various Azure services and third party services

Hosting Plans

1. Consumption Plan

• Fully serverless

• Scales automatically

• Billed per execution (with free grant)

• Cold start possible

2. Premium Plan

• Pre-warmed instances to avoid cold starts

• Enhanced performance

• VNet connectivity

• Unlimited execution duration

3. Dedicated (App Service) Plan

• Runs on dedicated VMs

• Predictable pricing

• Full control over scaling

• Suitable for long-running functions

Development Experience

1. Development Tools

• Azure Portal (in-browser editor)

• Visual Studio and VS Code with extensions

• Azure Functions Core Tools (CLI)

• Maven/Gradle plugins for Java

2. Deployment Options

• Direct from development tools

• CI/CD pipelines

• Zip deployment

• Container deployment (Docker)

3. Monitoring and Diagnostics

• Integrated with Azure Monitor

• Application Insights integration

• Live metrics stream

• Log streaming

Advanced Capabilities

1. Durable Functions

• Extension for stateful workflows

• Function chaining

• Fan-out/fan-in patterns

• Human interaction patterns

• Async HTTP APIs

2. Security Features

• Authentication/authorization via Azure AD and others

• Function keys for HTTP triggers

• Managed identities for secure access to other Azure services

• Private endpoints for secure networking

3. Performance Optimization

• Proxies for API composition

• Custom handlers for unsupported languages

• Performance tuning options

Use Cases

1. Microservices: Lightweight API endpoints

2. Data Processing: Real time stream processing

3. Scheduled Tasks: Automated maintenance jobs

4. IoT Solutions: Event processing from devices

5. Web Applications: Backend for SPAs and mobile apps

6. Integration: Connecting different services and systems

Limitations

• Execution time limits (varies by plan)

• Memory allocation limits

• Cold starts in Consumption plan

• Regional availability of certain features

Azure Functions provides a powerful, flexible platform for building event driven, serverless applications with minimal overhead and maximum scalability.