Serverless vs container decision in AWS - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a serverless architecture?

Serverless means you write code without managing servers. The cloud provider runs your code only when needed and scales automatically.

beginner

What is a container in cloud computing?

A container packages your app and its environment so it runs the same anywhere. You manage the container but it isolates your app from the system.

intermediate

When should you choose serverless over containers?

Choose serverless if you want to avoid managing servers, have unpredictable traffic, and need fast scaling with simple code.

intermediate

What are benefits of using containers instead of serverless?

Containers give you more control, can run complex apps, support many languages, and work well for long-running tasks.

intermediate

Name a key limitation of serverless architectures.

Serverless functions often have time limits and less control over the environment, which can be a problem for long or complex processes.

Which option best describes serverless computing?

A Code runs only when triggered and scales automatically

B You manage servers and scale manually

C You package apps with their environment

D You run virtual machines on your laptop

Serverless means your code runs only when needed and the cloud provider handles scaling automatically.

What is a main advantage of containers over serverless?

A More control over app environment and longer running processes

B Automatic scaling without limits

C Code runs only on demand

D No need to manage any infrastructure

Containers let you control the environment and run apps that need longer or complex processing.

Which scenario is best suited for serverless?

A A desktop application

B A long-running data processing job

C A legacy app needing specific OS settings

D An app with unpredictable traffic spikes

Serverless is great for apps with unpredictable traffic because it scales automatically.

What is a common limitation of serverless functions?

A They require manual scaling

B They cannot run in the cloud

C They have execution time limits

D They need a container to run

Serverless functions often have limits on how long they can run.

Which AWS service is an example of serverless computing?

A Amazon EC2

B AWS Lambda

C Amazon ECS

D Amazon S3

AWS Lambda runs code without managing servers, making it a serverless service.

Explain the main differences between serverless and container architectures.

Think about how much control you have and how scaling works.

Describe situations where choosing serverless is better than containers and vice versa.

Consider app complexity and traffic patterns.