Serverless Computing Interactive Lesson

Community College Cloud Computing

Welcome, Future Serverless Builders!

Today’s goal: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to explain serverless computing, identify common AWS serverless services, and choose a serverless design for a simple real-world task.

Serverless does not mean there are no servers. It means you do not manage the servers. The cloud provider runs and scales the infrastructure while you focus on code, events, and data.

⚡

Run Code

Use functions to run small pieces of code when something happens.

🎯

Respond to Events

Trigger work from uploads, button clicks, messages, schedules, or API requests.

💸

Pay for Use

Often pay based on requests and runtime instead of paying for always-on servers.

Beginner Big Idea

Serverless Is Event-Driven Cloud Computing

In a traditional server setup, someone manages servers, operating systems, scaling, and patching. In a serverless setup, the cloud provider handles much of that work. You define what should happen when an event occurs.

Real-world application: A student club website lets members upload event photos. When a photo is uploaded, a serverless function can automatically resize the image, save details in a database, and send a notification without running a full-time server.

Think of Serverless Like a Light Switch

👆

Event

Something happens, such as a file upload or web request.

⚡

Function

A small piece of code runs in response to that event.

📦

Result

The app stores data, sends a message, updates a page, or starts another step.

Quick Reflection

What is one task on a website or app that could happen automatically after a user clicks a button or uploads a file?

Your response will appear in your final summary.

Core Content

Common AWS Serverless Services

⚡

AWS Lambda

Runs code in response to events without managing servers.

Use for: automation, APIs, file processing.

🌐

Amazon API Gateway

Creates web APIs that can trigger Lambda functions.

Use for: website and mobile app backends.

🗃️

Amazon DynamoDB

A serverless NoSQL database that scales automatically.

Use for: app data, profiles, orders, scores.

📩

Amazon SQS

A message queue that helps systems process work reliably.

Use for: buffering tasks and decoupling apps.

📣

Amazon SNS

Sends notifications to subscribers or other services.

Use for: alerts and fan-out messages.

🧭

AWS Step Functions

Coordinates multiple steps in a workflow.

Use for: approval flows and multi-step processes.

🪣

Amazon S3 Events

S3 can trigger actions when files are uploaded or changed.

Use for: image processing and file workflows.

⏰

Amazon EventBridge

Routes events from apps, schedules, and AWS services.

Use for: scheduled tasks and event routing.

🧾

Pay-per-use Pattern

Serverless services often charge based on requests, storage, or execution time.

Use for: variable or unpredictable traffic.

Interactive Explorer

Build a Serverless Architecture

Select a common app pattern and see how serverless services can connect.

Professor tip: Serverless architectures usually start with an event. Ask: “What happens first?” Then decide which service responds to that event.

Hands-On Practice

Sort the Serverless Use Cases

Drag each card into the correct category. If drag-and-drop is difficult, click a card and then click a category box.

Use Case Cards

⚡ Function

Run code because something happened.

🎯 Event Source

Start or route work.

🗃️ Data / Storage

Store files or app data.

Sort the cards, then check your work.

Real-World Decision Making

Choose the Best Serverless Design

For each situation, choose the best AWS serverless service or pattern.

Scenario 1: Website Contact Form

A website needs to submit a form and run backend code without a full-time server.

Scenario 2: Uploaded Photo

When a student uploads a photo to storage, code should automatically create a smaller copy.

Scenario 3: App Data

A serverless app needs a database for user profiles and activity records.

Scenario 4: Many Tasks Arrive at Once

An app receives many requests and needs to process them reliably one at a time.

Scenario 5: Multi-Step Approval

A scholarship application needs review, approval, notification, and final record updates.

Choose one design for each scenario.

Knowledge Check

Quick Quiz

Answer the question to receive feedback.

Wrap-Up

Serverless Computing Summary

Badges Earned

Serverless Beginner

Your Personal Study Notes

Click the button below to generate your study summary.

Exit Ticket: In one sentence, explain serverless computing to someone new to cloud computing.Your answer: