Azure Functions

Serverless Architecture in the Cloud

Shahed Chowdhuri
Microsoft Corporation
@shahedC
WakeUpAndCode.com
Intro
What’s with the Cloud?
Hosting models
On Premises Infrastructure Platform Software
(as a Service) (as a Service) (as a Service)

You manage
Applications Applications Applications Applications

resilient & manage

You scale, make resilient and manage

You scale, make

Data Data Data Data

Runtime Runtime Runtime Runtime

management by vendor
Scale, resilience and
Middleware Middleware Middleware Middleware

management by vendor
Scale, resilience and
O/S O/S O/S O/S

Managed by vendor
Virtualization Virtualization Virtualization Virtualization

Servers Servers Servers Servers

Storage Storage Storage Storage

Networking Networking Networking Networking

 Where does Serverless fit in? Infrastructure Platform
On Premises (as a Service) (as a Service)
Serverless
You manage
Software
Functions Functions Functions Functions (as a Service)

You manage
Applications Applications Applications Applications Applications
resilient & manage
You scale, make resilient and manage

You scale, make

Data Data Data Data Data

Runtime Runtime Runtime Runtime

Scale, resilience and mgmt by vendor

Runtime

management by vendor
Scale, resilience and
Middleware Middleware Middleware Middleware Middleware

O/S O/S O/S O/S O/S

Managed by vendor
Virtualization Virtualization Virtualization Virtualization Virtualization

Servers Servers Servers Servers Servers

Storage Storage Storage Storage Storage

Networking Networking Networking Networking Networking

Azure Functions
Events Code Outputs

React to timers, HTTP, or Author functions in C#, Send results to an ever-

events from your favorite F#, Node.JS, Java, and growing collection of
Azure services, with more more services
on the way

Source: https://myignite.techcommunity.microsoft.com/sessions/65889
Full integration with Azure ecosystem
Functions is the center piece of the Serverless platform

Development Platform

IDE support Event Grid Functions Logic Apps

Integrated
DevOps
Manage all events that can Execute your code based Design workflows and
Local trigger code or logic on events you specify orchestrate processes
development

Monitoring
Database Storage Analytics Intelligence Security IoT
Visual debug
history
Functions 2.0 – What’s New

 New Functions Quickstarts by Language

 Updated runtime built on .NET Core 2.1
 .NET Functions loading changes
 New extensibility model  
 Decoupled from language providers and bindings
 Run code from a package
 Tooling updates: CLI, Visual Studio & VS Code
 Durable Functions (GA)
 Consumption mode SLA
Assembly Isolation - Bindings: 2.0 Model
Azure Functions Host – Functions 2.0

Host Assembly Load Context (default) Function Assembly Load Context

Job host Functions Assemblies

Runtime dependencies Bindings

WindowsAzure.Storage 9.3.1 Functions dependencies

WindowsAzure.Storage 9.5.0
9.3.1

public static Run(…, CloudBlockBlob blob,

…))
{
   //Function code...;
}
Dev + Hosting
 Azure Functions Tooling Options
 Visual Studio

 VS Code

 CLI

 Portal

 Deployment Options
Visual Studio  File | New Project
Azure Portal  Function App
Boost development efficiency
Use triggers to define how functions are invoked Connect to data with input and output bindings
Avoid hardcoding with preconfigured JSON files Bind to Azure solutions and third-party services
Triggers Build serverless APIs using HTTP triggers Bindings Use HTTP bindings in tandem with HTTP triggers

Define one API surface for multiple function apps Debug C# and JavaScript functions locally
Create endpoints as reverse proxies to other APIs Use debugging tools in Azure portal, VS, and VS Code
Local
Proxies Condition proxies to use variables debugging

Save time with built-in DevOps Integrate with Azure Application Insights
Deploy functions using App Service for CI Get near real-time details about function apps
CI/CD Leverage Microsoft, partner services for CD Monitoring See metrics around failures, executions, etc.
 Sending Emails with SendGrid

https://sendgrid.com/docs/for-developers/sending-email/v3-csharp-code-example
 Functions Hosting Models
Serverless Serverless Functions Kubernetes Open Source IoT On Prem
Functions Linux Functions Containers Functions Hosting Functions Functions

Application
Delivery

Execution
Isolation

Infrastructure

Operating
System

Azure Managed Customer Managed

Demo
Durable Functions
What’s still hard?
Durable Functions
• Write long-running orchestrations as a single function
while maintaining local state.

• Simplify complex transactions and coordination

(chaining, etc.) Easily call a Function from another
Function, synchronously or asynchronously.

• All of the above using code-only. No JSON schemas.

No graphical designer.

• Announcing: Generally available (v2) - C# and

JavaScript
Components

Starter Orchestrator Activity

Function Function Function

Starts orchestrations Coordinates activities Performs work

OrchestrationClient OrchestrationContextTrigger ActivityTrigger

What It Looks Like

// calls functions in sequence Orchestrator Function

public static async Task<object> Run(DurableOrchestrationContext ctx)
{
try
{ Activity Functions
var x = await ctx.CallActivityAsync("F1");
var y = await ctx.CallActivityAsync("F2", x);
return await ctx.CallActivityAsync("F3", y);
}
catch (Exception)
{
// global error handling/compensation goes here
}
}
Q&A