Optimizing Serverless Functions: Best Practices for Speed and Efficiency
Serverless functions — does it mean there are no servers involved? The answer is no! Serverless functions are snippets of code and are run on managed infrastructure provided by cloud platforms. As a developer, you’re only responsible for writing the code.
Here’s a short guide on optimizing serverless functions, explaining how they work and what you can do to boost speed and efficiency:
How Do Serverless Functions Work
Slow page loading time, broken pages, and disrupted content — these are common server-related issues and require investigation. But with a serverless tech stack, developers don’t have to concern themselves with scaling and maintaining servers to fit growing needs. You can spend all your time writing and deploying code.
The process of managing and provisioning servers is outsourced to a cloud provider. Popular examples of cloud providers offering serverless functions include AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, and Azure Functions.
Moreover, serverless functions typically follow a pay-as-you-go model, meaning you only pay for the resources you’ve used. This can be unbelievably cost-effective.
Let’s say you run a yoga studio and are availing the services of a cloud provider. With serverless functions, visitors can check the date and time of upcoming classes, register for them, and keep track of their attendance. As the developer or yoga studio owner, you don’t have to manually schedule classes or update timetables. Once you’ve written the back-end code, the cloud provider will take care of everything.
Best Practices for Optimizing Serverless Functions
Now that you know how serverless functions work, is there a way to optimize their functionality? The answer is yes! Here are some things you can do:
Break Down Large Functions
When a function tries to do much and becomes unnecessarily complex, it can increase your pay-as-you-go bill. Since cost-effectiveness is one of the biggest benefits of using serverless functions, paying more than a serverful back-end is not wise.
The best thing you can do is break down functions into smaller modular pieces. This will make the function easier to debug and reduce initialization overhead.
Optimize Function Code
Speaking of functions, optimizing the code can also boost efficiency. Here’s what you can do:
Only use necessary libraries and modules. This will keep the deployment package small.
Use lightweight frameworks. Frameworks like Middy.js and Chalice are specifically designed for serverless environments.
Use efficient algorithms to reduce deployment time.
Reduce Cold Starts
When a function is evoked after an extended period of inactivity, it experiences a “cold start.” This is because the cloud provider needs to warm up and provision the server environment for you to write code. This is also true when the function is relying upon external libraries and modules, which need to be fetched and executed.
So, what can you do? Optimize the code for faster startup times. Reducing dependency will also keep the function warm and running, reducing latency.
Many cloud providers offer functions that can be set to stay warm throughout the process. However, these come with a hefty bill, so beware. Look for a cloud provider that offers prewarming functions and keeps the deployment package as little as possible.
Log Everything
Serverless functions are inherently stateless. Think of it as a double-edged sword: Statelessness enhances scalability, but it also makes tracking extremely difficult. Once a function has finished executing, it goes into the wilderness, never to return. This is why it’s important to log every detail and monitor it.
Other benefits of logging everything include:
Easier debugging and troubleshooting
Quick attack detection
Security flaw identification
Bottleneck identification
Supreme observability
Automate logging
Centralized logging
Auto-scaling insights
Optimize Resource Usage
Serverless functions offer freedom, which can sometimes come at a cost. Inefficiencies can creep in and increase your resource usage. Here’s what you can do: Keep an eye on your memory, CPU, and execution time. Analyze execution frequency and keep optimizing the code so you don’t end up using unnecessary resources.
Leverage Caching
Want to cut unnecessary road trips on a serverless function? Caching is your best bet. For instance, in-memory caching allows you to store frequently accessed data, such as user profiles or product information. This will lead to faster response times since the function doesn’t need to fetch data from an external source. Above everything, caching ensures faster invocation, which can significantly reduce costs.
Monitor and Analyze Performance
While developers aren’t responsible for handling complex server tasks, they should remain alert. Monitoring and analyzing server functions will help you identify bottlenecks and areas of improvement.
Why Optimize Serverless Functions
Now that you’ve understood ways to optimize serverless functions, the question arises: Is it even necessary? Well, why not?
Running serverless functions brings numerous benefits on its own, but with optimization, you can reduce costs and free up valuable time. The good news is that optimizing serverless functions isn’t as difficult as previously considered. By breaking down large functions, optimizing code, leveraging caching, and logging everything, you can see a significant difference in overall functionality.
