AWS Lambda - A Practical Guide - Learn from an Expert from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Aws lambda fundamentals
A practical guide to learning aws lambda based on real life experience
Advanced concepts including scaling, concurrency, and monitoring tips

Create, code, and deploy aws lambda functions both in the console and with cdk
3 practical projects using a combination of console and cdk

Aws lambda fundamentals
A practical guide to learning aws lambda based on real life experience
Advanced concepts including scaling, concurrency, and monitoring tips
Create, code, and deploy aws lambda functions both in the console and with cdk
3 practical projects using a combination of console and cdk

Syllabus

Introduction

A brief introduction to the format of the course including approach, teaching format, content, and pre-requisites.

A quick favour to ask...

We explore what is AWS Lambda, its advantages, disadvantages, and industry users of the technology.

We explore the AWS Lambda console.

We use the AWS console to create a simple Demo Lambda Function.

We learn how to invoke our function by using test events and observing the output.

Learn how to look at historic logs of past function executions.

A primer to how AWS Lambda works under the hood and what "serverless" really means.

Learn about how triggers help integrate with other AWS services to achieve powerful functionality.

Learn about the difference between Synchronous and Asynchronous invocation and the implications of using both methods.

Learn about a key limitation of using AWS lambda.

Learn how to detect timeouts and how to address them.

Learn about Memory allocation - the key lever to control the performance of your function.

Learn about the pricing model of AWS Lambda and why it is such an attractive compute option.

Learn about the key stages of a function execution and the dreaded cold start phenomenon.

One of the key scaling factors to consider is Lambda concurrency. Learn what it means and how to manage concurrency for your production applications.

See throttling in action and learn how to detect it.

Learn two of the three types of concurrency at your disposal: unreserved and reserved.

Learn about a new concurrency type meant to increase the consistency of your function's performance.

Learn about how versions can be used to deploy multiple instances of your function's code at once.

Learn how to leverage alias to control pointers to your function code.

Learn how to create a version and map an alias to it.

Learn about environment variables and best practices for injecting them into your Lambda function execution.

Learn how to define and use environment variables in our function.

Learn about the nuances of deploying a lambda function in a VPC.

Learn about the most important metrics to monitor as part of operational excellence.

Learn about best practices when it comes to logging, and how to utilize metric filters to drastically reduce your metric collection cost.

Learn how to create and observe metrics created through metric filters.

Learn how to use Lambda Insights to understand the performance profile of your function, and how to leverage Lambda Power Tuning to optimize your function's performance and cost.

Learn how to use Lambda Power Tuning to optimize your function in this hands on demonstration.

Learn how to gain additional serviceability into your function's execution and dependencies using X Ray Tracing and Service Lens.

Learn how to setup X Ray tracing, how to define sub segments, and how to visualize your function's execution using Service Lens.

Learn about how to leverage DLQs to protect your application from intermittent failures.

Learn how to re-use common dependencies for multiple functions using Layers.

See layers in action as we import a dependency and apply it to our function using a Layer.

Learn about how Lambda has evolved to support Docker Containers as runtime options.

Learn about CI / CD Setup options with SAM (Severless Application Model) and CDK (Cloud Development Kit).

Learn about the issues of using lambda with traditional RDS databases and how to leverage RDS Proxy to circumvent these issues.

(added 09/30/2022)

A new Lambda feature was announced that I think you should know about - Function URLs. Learn how to set them up in this hands on session.

Build a Lambda function that integrates with Cloudwatch Events such that it is invoked once every minute. Hands on in the console.

Learn how to create a REST / HTTP API by integrating Lambda with API Gateway.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by a senior software engineer at Amazon with nearly a decade of experience, which lends credibility and practical insights

Covers advanced concepts like concurrency, monitoring, and service integration, which are essential for building scalable applications

Includes practical projects that integrate with other AWS services like Cloudwatch Events, API Gateway, and SQS, which reinforces learning

Explores CI/CD setup options with SAM (Serverless Application Model) and CDK (Cloud Development Kit), which are valuable for automating deployments

Discusses the issues of using Lambda with traditional RDS databases and how to leverage RDS Proxy, which is useful for database-driven applications

Features content added in late 2022, such as Function URLs, which indicates that the course is actively maintained and updated

Reviews summary

Practical guide to aws lambda fundamentals

According to learners, this course provides a highly practical and hands-on introduction to AWS Lambda, focusing on real-world application rather than just theory. Students appreciate the instructor's background and the inclusion of practical projects that integrate with other AWS services. The content is generally seen as clear and concise, covering fundamental concepts effectively. While the course is well-updated, some reviewers note that certain advanced topics could use deeper dives, and occasional minor updates are needed for specific examples.

Generally up-to-date with recent Lambda features.

"Content is up-to-date with recent features and best practices."

"Appreciate the updates, especially the sections on newer features."

"Covers CDK v2 and recent changes which is helpful."

Suitable for those new to AWS Lambda.

"Absolutely zero AWS Lambda experience is required is accurate. It starts simple and builds up."

"Even as a beginner, I found the material accessible and easy to follow."

"Perfect for someone just starting out with serverless on AWS."

Instructor's real-world experience is valuable.

"The instructor's real-world experience shines through in the practical tips and insights."

"Great instructor with a deep understanding of the subject."

"His background at Amazon adds significant credibility to the material."

Builds a solid foundation in core Lambda concepts.

"Excellent course that really grounds you in the core concepts and principles of AWS Lambda."

"Provides a solid understanding of Lambda fundamentals."

"The explanations of concepts like cold starts and concurrency were very clear."

Focuses on practical application and demos.

"This course is fantastic and very practical in nature. The instructor guides you from scratch and explains every detail and it is backed by demo."

"Great course! Straight to the point, very practical and hands-on. A solid intro to AWS Lambda."

"Really enjoyed the practical approach... helps ground the concepts in real-world use cases."

"I particularly liked the focus on hands-on activities. It really helps solidify the learning."

Some advanced areas could be more in-depth.

"Could use more in-depth coverage on advanced topics like optimization techniques or specific service integrations."

"While the basics are great, I wished some complex areas were explored further."

"Felt like some advanced concepts were only briefly touched upon."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in AWS Lambda - A Practical Guide - Learn from an Expert with these activities:

Review AWS Fundamentals

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of core AWS concepts before diving into Lambda. This will make grasping the service integrations and underlying infrastructure much easier.

Show steps

Review the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
Familiarize yourself with basic AWS services like EC2, S3, and IAM.
Complete a basic introductory AWS course or tutorial.

Review 'AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide'

Show steps

Gain a broader understanding of AWS services and concepts. This will help you better understand how Lambda fits into the overall AWS ecosystem.

View AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book's introductory chapters on cloud computing and AWS.
Focus on chapters covering core AWS services like EC2, S3, and IAM.
Review the practice questions at the end of each chapter.

Deploy a Simple 'Hello, World!' Lambda Function

Show steps

Get hands-on experience deploying a basic Lambda function. This will familiarize you with the AWS console and the deployment process.

Show steps

Create a simple Lambda function in the AWS console that returns 'Hello, World!'.
Configure a test event to trigger the function.
Monitor the function's execution in CloudWatch Logs.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Practice Configuring Lambda Triggers

Show steps

Master the different ways to trigger Lambda functions. This is crucial for integrating Lambda with other AWS services.

Browse courses on AWS Lambda

Show steps

Create a Lambda function triggered by an S3 bucket event.
Create a Lambda function triggered by a CloudWatch Events rule.
Create a Lambda function triggered by an API Gateway endpoint.

Document Your Lambda Learning Journey

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding by documenting what you learn. This will also help you identify areas where you need more practice.

Show steps

Create a blog post or a series of notes summarizing key Lambda concepts.
Document the steps involved in deploying a Lambda function.
Share your notes with other learners in the course discussion forums.

Build a Serverless API with Lambda and API Gateway

Show steps

Apply your knowledge by building a real-world serverless API. This will solidify your understanding of Lambda, API Gateway, and other related services.

Show steps

Design the API endpoints and data models.
Create Lambda functions to handle each API endpoint.
Configure API Gateway to route requests to the appropriate Lambda functions.
Test the API using a tool like Postman or curl.

Review 'Serverless Architectures on AWS'

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of serverless architectures and best practices. This will help you design more scalable and resilient Lambda-based applications.

View Serverless Architectures on AWS, Second Edition on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book's chapters on event-driven architectures and microservices.
Study the case studies and examples provided in the book.
Experiment with the code samples and adapt them to your own projects.

Contribute to a Serverless Open Source Project

Show steps

Gain real-world experience by contributing to an open-source serverless project. This will expose you to different coding styles, architectures, and development workflows.

Show steps

Find a serverless open-source project on GitHub or GitLab.
Review the project's documentation and contribution guidelines.
Identify a bug or feature that you can contribute to.
Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete AWS Lambda - A Practical Guide - Learn from an Expert will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer designs, implements, and manages cloud-based infrastructure and services. This career relies heavily on understanding cloud platforms, especially serverless technologies like AWS Lambda. This course, which provides hands-on experience with AWS Lambda, including its core concepts, deployment, and integration with other AWS services, helps build a foundation for anyone aiming to work as a cloud engineer. You’ll get experience with monitoring, concurrency, and service integration. Additionally, this course gives practical knowledge with real-world projects, which gives a cloud engineer a deeper understanding of how to utilize Lambda in production environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer

Backend Developer

Backend Developers build and maintain the server-side logic and databases that power applications. AWS Lambda is a key technology for building serverless backend applications, particularly microservices and APIs. This course helps build a strong foundation in building and deploying Lambda functions. Those seeking a career as a backend developer will learn to build practical applications with AWS Lambda using real-world scenarios. This course also helps you understand how to optimize Lambda functions for performance and cost, which is important in a production environment. The skills taught here makes you better prepared to understand how to use Lambda in a backend system.

See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Developer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work to streamline the software development lifecycle through automation and collaboration. The ability to deploy and manage infrastructure as code is essential. This course provides experience with the AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK), which is critical for infrastructure automation. If you want to be a DevOps engineer, this is a course that will help you understand how serverless applications are deployed and managed with tools such as CDK. Learning from practical examples and project-based approach will also help you better understand the nuances of real-world serverless deployments. By understanding how AWS Lambda works at scale, DevOps engineers will be prepared to improve the performance and reliability of the systems they manage.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Software Architect

Software Architects design the overall structure of software systems, including technology choices and patterns. This career requires knowing the capabilities and limitations of various technologies like AWS Lambda. This course provides a thorough understanding of AWS Lambda, including its advanced concepts and best practices. A software architect will be able to make better technology decisions by using the knowledge gained from the course. The course also covers the implementation of real-world projects, which helps architects understand how to integrate Lambda into larger systems. If you wish to become a software architect, this course will help you understand the intricacies of serverless architecture with AWS Lambda.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Solutions Architect

A Solutions Architect is responsible for designing and implementing technical solutions to business problems. This often involves using cloud technologies. This course provides a practical understanding of AWS Lambda that will help you design serverless solutions. A solutions architect will use the skills gained from this course to build applications that are scalable, reliable, and cost-effective. The course provides real-world projects which demonstrate how to integrate AWS Lambda with various other AWS services. Additionally, this course will give you information about the optimization and real world deployments of AWS Lambda, which will be useful in a solutions architect role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solutions Architect

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers focus on the design and management of complex systems, often incorporating cloud and serverless technologies. This course provides a hands-on approach to learning AWS Lambda, which helps you understand how this technology can be used in a real-world setting. A systems engineer will find this course valuable because it covers core concepts, deployment, debugging, and integration with other AWS services. The course also delves into advanced topics, such as concurrency and monitoring, which helps improve system reliability and performance. If you want to be a systems engineer, this will help you better design, deploy, and maintain systems in modern cloud environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Cloud Consultant

Cloud Consultants advise organizations on cloud adoption strategies and technology implementations. This career requires in-depth knowledge of cloud services like AWS Lambda. This course may be useful for anyone who wants to be a cloud consultant because it provides a comprehensive overview of AWS Lambda with a practical focus. A cloud consultant will be better prepared to advise clients on how to use AWS Lambda for specific business needs after taking this course. The course will also teach consultants about performance tuning and real world deployments of AWS Lambda.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Consultant

Technical Project Manager

Technical Project Managers oversee software projects, requiring a solid understanding of the technologies being used. While not a software development role, this course may be useful for project managers who need to understand how their teams utilize serverless solutions with AWS Lambda. This course provides a practical understanding of AWS Lambda that helps improve communication between managers and developers. The course introduces key concepts, deployment, and debugging, which provides a better perspective on the challenges and timelines in software projects. Additionally, the course gives hands-on experience with real-world projects. If you are a technical project manager interested in better understanding AWS Lambda, this course may help.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Project Manager

Full-Stack Developer

Full Stack Developers handle both front-end and back-end aspects of web applications. AWS Lambda is a useful technology for building serverless backends. This course may be useful for full stack developers seeking to learn about AWS Lambda. The course covers fundamental concepts, deployment, and integration with other AWS Services. Developers can improve their skills and deliver full stack applications more efficiently by understanding serverless technologies through this course. This course will also help full stack developers understand how to optimize and monitor serverless applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design and build systems for storing, processing, and analyzing large datasets. AWS Lambda can be used to build event-driven data pipelines in modern cloud architectures. This course may be useful to data engineers because it covers practical Lambda approaches with real-world examples. Data engineers can use this course's teaching to help with data processing workflows and real time analytics. The course provides insight into integrating Lambda with other AWS services, which will be useful in building a data infrastructure. If you're a data engineer wanting to understand event based architectures, this course may help.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

IT Operations Specialist

An IT Operations Specialist is responsible for maintaining and supporting an organization's IT infrastructure. This role may require knowledge of cloud services, particularly serverless technologies like AWS Lambda. This course may be helpful for an IT operations specialist who wants to better understand the operational aspects of Lambda. The course provides a practical understanding of AWS Lambda, with a focus on monitoring and performance tuning. The skills taught in this course help IT specialists better manage cloud-based systems. While the course does not focus solely on IT operations, certain aspects may be useful for IT professionals looking to expand their expertise.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Operations Specialist

Quality Assurance Engineer

Quality Assurance Engineers test software to ensure that it meets specified quality standards. While this course is not directly related to software testing, understanding how software is developed and deployed with AWS Lambda may help a Quality Assurance Engineer perform their job. This course may be useful for a Quality Assurance Engineer wanting to understand how AWS Lambda is implemented and how it is integrated with other services. The course may provide useful information when it comes to test planning and how to approach testing for Lambda based applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer

Technical Support Engineer

Technical Support Engineers troubleshoot technical issues and provide support to users. While not directly related to software development, understanding the technologies that are used can help a Technical Support Engineer. This course may be useful for a Technical Support Engineer who supports cloud based applications. The course covers core concepts and how to deploy AWS Lambda, which will improve troubleshooting capabilities when issues arise in the cloud. The hands-on and practical nature of this course may provide insight into real world deployments. This course may be useful if you are a technical support engineer seeking to better understand AWS Lambda.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Engineer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the performance, integrity, and security of databases. Although this course is not directly focused on databases, it touches upon how serverless technologies like AWS Lambda can interact with databases. This course may be useful to a database administrator who would like to understand how Lambda can impact database performance and how to architect systems that leverage both technologies. The course introduces how Lambda integrates with other AWS services, which may be helpful in understanding the larger technology architecture. This course may be useful for a database administrator seeking to understand how serverless technologies interact with databases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Computer Science Professor

Computer Science Professors teach and conduct research in computer science. This course may be useful for a Computer Science Professor who wishes to become familiar with AWS Lambda. The course covers practical applications of cloud based technologies and real-world serverless deployments. While academic computer science may involve theoretical concepts, this course will provide an understanding of how these concepts are used in real-world applications. This course may be useful for a Computer Science Professor who is interested in learning about AWS Lambda.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Science Professor

AWS Lambda - A Practical Guide - Learn from an Expert

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical guide to aws lambda fundamentals

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses