Why serverless matters in Azure - Why It Works

Introduction

Serverless computing lets you run code without managing servers. It solves the problem of spending time and money on setting up and maintaining servers, so you can focus on your app.

When you want to run small pieces of code that respond to events like file uploads or messages.

When you want to save money by paying only for the exact time your code runs.

When you want your app to automatically handle more users without manual setup.

When you want to avoid managing infrastructure and focus on writing code.

When you want to quickly build and deploy features without waiting for server setup.

Commands

This command creates a new Azure Function App using the serverless consumption plan in the East US region. It sets up the environment to run Python functions without managing servers.

Terminal

az functionapp create --resource-group example-group --consumption-plan-location eastus --runtime python --functions-version 4 --name example-functionapp --storage-account examplestorageacct

Expected Output

{

  "id": "/subscriptions/xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx/resourceGroups/example-group/providers/Microsoft.Web/sites/example-functionapp",

  "location": "eastus",

  "name": "example-functionapp",

  "resourceGroup": "example-group",

  "state": "Running",

  "type": "Microsoft.Web/sites"

}

→

--consumption-plan-location - Specifies the region for the serverless plan.

→

--runtime - Sets the programming language runtime.

→

--functions-version - Specifies the Azure Functions runtime version.

This command checks the details of a specific function named HttpTrigger1 inside the Function App to verify it is deployed and ready.

Terminal

az functionapp function show --resource-group example-group --name example-functionapp --function-name HttpTrigger1

Expected Output

{

  "config": {

    "bindings": [

      {

        "authLevel": "function",

        "type": "httpTrigger",

        "direction": "in",

        "name": "req",

        "methods": ["get", "post"]

      },

      {

        "type": "http",

        "direction": "out",

        "name": "res"

      }

    ]

  },

  "functionName": "HttpTrigger1",

  "scriptRootPathHref": "https://example.blob.core.windows.net/functions/scripts/HttpTrigger1"

}

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: serverless lets you run code instantly without managing servers, saving time and money.

Common Mistakes

Trying to deploy serverless code without creating a Function App first.

The Function App is the container for your serverless functions; without it, functions cannot run.

Always create the Function App with the right runtime and plan before deploying functions.

Choosing a fixed server plan instead of the consumption (serverless) plan.

Fixed plans charge for uptime regardless of usage, losing serverless cost benefits.

Use the consumption plan flag to enable true serverless billing.

Summary

Create an Azure Function App with the consumption plan to run serverless code.

Deploy and verify your function inside the Function App.

Serverless saves you from managing servers and charges you only for code execution time.