Interview Questions on Serverless computing
1. What is serverless computing?
Serverless computing is a cloud computing execution model where the cloud provider manages the infrastructure and dynamically allocates resources as needed to run the customer’s applications, without the need for the customer to manage or provision servers.
2. What is AWS Lambda?
AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that runs code in response to events and automatically manages the computing resources required by that code.
3. What is the difference between EC2 and Lambda?
EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) is a scalable compute service that allows users to launch and manage virtual machines, while Lambda is a serverless compute service that runs code in response to events and automatically manages the computing resources required by that code. EC2 requires users to manage the infrastructure, while with Lambda, the infrastructure management is handled by AWS.
4. What are the benefits of using serverless architecture?
Some benefits of using serverless architecture include lower costs, improved scalability, and greater agility. With serverless, the cloud provider handles infrastructure management, allowing the customer to focus on building and deploying applications.
5. What is an AWS Step Function?
An AWS Step Function is a serverless workflow service that allows customers to build and run applications as a series of steps. Step Functions makes it easy to build and run multi-step applications by connecting AWS services and AWS Lambda functions together in a visual workflow.
6. What is the difference between a microservice and serverless architecture?
Microservices and serverless architecture are related but different concepts. Microservices are a software architecture pattern where an application is broken down into smaller, independent services, while serverless computing is a cloud computing execution model where the cloud provider manages the infrastructure and dynamically allocates resources as needed to run the customer’s applications. Serverless can be used to build microservices, but not all microservices are built using a serverless architecture.
7. What is an API Gateway in AWS?
An API Gateway in AWS is a fully managed service that makes it easy to create, publish, and manage APIs. API Gateway handles all of the tasks involved in accepting and processing API requests, including traffic management, authorization and access control, monitoring, and API version management.
8. What is the difference between API Gateway and Lambda?
API Gateway is a fully managed service for creating, publishing, and managing APIs, while Lambda is a serverless compute service that runs code in response to events and automatically manages the computing resources required by that code. API Gateway serves as the frontend for applications and routes incoming API requests to Lambda functions or other backend services.
9. What is the role of AWS CloudFormation in serverless architecture?
AWS CloudFormation is a service that helps customers automate the process of creating, updating, and deleting AWS resources. In serverless architecture, CloudFormation can be used to define and deploy serverless applications, including all of the resources needed for an application such as AWS Lambda functions, API Gateway configurations, and IAM policies.
10. What is the difference between AWS CloudFormation and Terraform?
AWS CloudFormation and Terraform are both Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools, but they have different focuses and approaches. CloudFormation is specific to AWS and provides a way to manage AWS resources, while Terraform is a more generic tool that can be used across multiple cloud providers and supports a wider range of resources.
11. What is an event-driven architecture in serverless computing?
An event-driven architecture in server less computing refers to a design pattern where the application logic is triggered by events, such as a user action, a change in data, or a scheduled task. In this architecture, the application runs in response to events and only consumes resources when an event occurs, resulting in lower costs and improved scalability.
12. What is AWS X-Ray?
AWS X-Ray is a distributed tracing system that allows developers to trace requests as they travel through their serverless applications and monitor and debug performance issues. X-Ray provides an end-to-end view of the request flow, including information about requests, responses, and any errors that occur.
13. What is the difference between a traditional three-tier architecture and a serverless architecture?
A traditional three-tier architecture typically consists of a client-side interface, an application server, and a database, with each tier having a specific role and responsibilities. In a serverless architecture, the application is broken down into smaller, independent functions that are triggered by events and executed in a managed environment provided by the cloud provider.
14. What is the role of IAM in serverless computing?
IAM (Identity and Access Management) is a critical component of serverless computing as it controls who can access and perform actions on AWS resources. In serverless computing, IAM policies can be used to define the permissions required by Lambda functions and other AWS services to access other resources in the application.
15. What is AWS SAM?
AWS SAM (Serverless Application Model) is an open-source framework for building and deploying serverless applications on AWS. SAM provides a simplified syntax for defining serverless resources in AWS CloudFormation templates, making it easier to build and deploy serverless applications.
16. What is the difference between AWS SAM and Serverless Framework?
AWS SAM is an open-source framework specifically designed for building serverless applications on AWS, while Serverless Framework is a general-purpose framework that supports multiple cloud providers, including AWS. Both SAM and Serverless Framework aim to simplify the process of building and deploying serverless applications, but they have different focuses and approaches.
17. How can you handle database migrations in serverless computing?
Database migrations in serverless computing can be handled in several ways, including manual scripting, using database migration tools, or using AWS services such as AWS Database Migration Service or AWS Schema Conversion Tool. The approach used will depend on the specific requirements of the application and the complexity of the database.
18. How can you handle logging and monitoring in serverless computing?
Logging and monitoring in serverless computing can be handled using AWS services such as AWS CloudWatch and AWS X-Ray. These services provide real-time visibility into the performance and behavior of serverless applications and make it easy to identify and diagnose issues.
19. What are the best practices for securing serverless applications?
Some best practices for securing serverless applications include using IAM policies to control access to resources, encrypting sensitive data, using VPCs to isolate resources, implementing network security, and monitoring and logging application activity.
20. What is AWS Fargate?
AWS Fargate is a serverless compute engine for containers that allows customers to run containers without having to manage the underlying instances. Fargate abstracts away the infrastructure management tasks, allowing customers to focus on building and deploying their applications.
21. What is the difference between AWS Fargate and EC2?
AWS Fargate and EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) are both compute services, but they have different approaches to managing compute resources. EC2 provides a virtualized computing environment where customers can launch and manage instances and configure their own operating systems, storage, and networking. On the other hand, Fargate provides a serverless compute engine for containers, where customers only have to worry about deploying their containers, and the underlying infrastructure management is handled by AWS.
22. What are the benefits of serverless computing for developers?
Serverless computing offers several benefits for developers, including reduced operational overhead, improved scalability, increased agility, and lower costs. Developers can focus on writing code and deploying their applications without having to worry about infrastructure management tasks.
23. What is the role of API Gateway in serverless computing? 
API Gateway is an AWS service that provides a frontend for serverless applications. API Gateway acts as an intermediary between the application and the outside world, receiving incoming requests and forwarding them to the appropriate Lambda function or other backend service. API Gateway also provides security features, such as authentication and authorization, and enables developers to define custom domains, deploy APIs globally, and monitor API performance.
24. How does serverless computing impact DevOps?
Serverless computing has a significant impact on DevOps as it requires a shift in the way applications are built, deployed, and managed. DevOps teams need to become familiar with new technologies, such as Lambda and API Gateway, and implement new processes to manage the deployment and operation of serverless applications.
25. What is the cold start problem in serverless computing?
The cold start problem in serverless computing refers to the delay that occurs when a Lambda function is invoked for the first time, or after it has been inactive for an extended period. This delay occurs because the infrastructure required to run the function needs to be provisioned, which can result in slower response times.
26. How can you mitigate the cold start problem in serverless computing?
The cold start problem in serverless computing can be mitigated by choosing the right memory configuration for your functions, keeping the function code and dependencies small, reusing connections to external resources, and using provisioned concurrency to pre-warm your functions.
27. What is the difference between serverless computing and containers?
Serverless computing and containers are both cloud computing models that aim to make it easier to build and deploy applications, but they have different approaches. Serverless computing focuses on breaking down applications into smaller, independent functions that are triggered by events and executed in a managed environment provided by the cloud provider. Containers, on the other hand, provide a way to package and run applications as a single unit, including the application code, libraries, and dependencies.
28. What is the role of AWS Step Functions in serverless computing?
AWS Step Functions is a serverless workflow service that makes it easy to build and run multi-step, event-driven applications using AWS Lambda and other AWS services. Step Functions provides a visual workflow designer, making it easier to build, test, and run complex workflows in a serverless environment.
29. What is the role of AWS Lambda@Edge in serverless computing?
AWS Lambda@Edge is a feature of AWS Lambda that allows customers to run their functions at the edge of the AWS network, close to their users. Lambda@Edge enables customers to build and run serverless applications that deliver faster, more dynamic content to their users, with lower latency and lower costs.
30. What is the difference between serverless computing and microservices?
Serverless computing and microservices are related concepts but have different focuses. Serverless computing focuses on the
