Getting Started with AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that lets you run code without provisioning or managing servers. In this guide, we'll walk through creating your first Lambda function.

What is AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda is a compute service that runs your code in response to events and automatically manages the compute resources. You pay only for the compute time you consume.

Key Benefits:

• No servers to manage - AWS handles all infrastructure
• Automatic scaling - Scales from a few requests per day to thousands per second
• Pay per use - Only charged for compute time used
• Integrated with AWS - Works seamlessly with other AWS services

Creating Your First Lambda Function

Step 1: Set Up Your AWS Account

First, ensure you have an AWS account. The free tier includes 1 million free requests per month.

Step 2: Create a Lambda Function

1. Navigate to the AWS Lambda console
2. Click "Create function"
3. Choose "Author from scratch"
4. Enter a function name
5. Select your runtime (Python, Node.js, etc.)

Step 3: Write Your Code

Here's a simple Python example:

def lambda_handler(event, context):
    return {
        'statusCode': 200,
        'body': 'Hello from Lambda!'
    }

Step 4: Test Your Function

Use the Lambda console test feature to verify your function works correctly.

Best Practices

1. Keep functions focused - Each function should do one thing well
2. Use environment variables - Store configuration separately
3. Monitor with CloudWatch - Track performance and errors
4. Optimize cold starts - Minimize initialization code

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics, explore:

• Triggering Lambda from S3 events
• Building APIs with API Gateway
• Processing streams with Kinesis
• Scheduling functions with EventBridge

Conclusion

AWS Lambda is a powerful tool for building serverless applications. Start small, experiment, and gradually build more complex solutions.

For more resources, check out our Resources page or join our next workshop!