Lambda Scaffold Webinar, featuring Backand, from our webinar on 4-19

1. Developing and Debugging AWS Lambda
Matt Billock
matt@backand.com

2. In this webinar:
● AWS Lambda Overview
● Debugging AWS Lambda
● Building a local test harness
● Deployment with Backand CLI
● Quick overview of Backand

3. AWS Lambda
● Created in 2014, launched at
re/Invent
● Kicked off "serverless" (caveat)
● Function-as-a-Service
○Deploy code, not applications

4. Creating A Lambda Function
● Supports Node.JS, Python, C#, and
Java
○ Can call to server functionality (Linux)
● Multiple types of code integration
○ Uploading as a ZIP file

5. Creating A Lambda Function
Demo

6. Calling AWS Lambda Functions
● Event-based triggers
○ Also On-Demand
● Event Sources
○ AWS Services (S3, DynamoDB, others)
○ API Gateway
○ AWS SDK

7. Debugging Lambda Functions
● Cloudwatch Integration
○ Provides call record
● console.log()
○ Sends message to Cloudwatch
● … and that's it

8. Lambda Execution Environment
● Details kept proprietary by Amazon
● Based on Amazon Machine Instance
● Dynamically provisioned (hot vs cold)
● Temporary storage (/tmp, 500 MB)
○ NOT guaranteed to persist

9. Debugging Lambda Locally
● Need to mimic input format
● Need to mimic output format
○ Transformations in API Gateway
● Need a test harness

10. Creating a Test Harness
● Function Prototype
● Including Handler
● Mimicking Lambda Invocation
○ Parameters in event object
○ Handlers in the context object

11. Creating a Test Harness
● Calling a Lambda function, continued:
● Provide handlers in context argument

12. Test Harness Notes
● Callback mechanism provided by Lambda
○ Only supported by Node.JS actions
● Using callbacks in context parameter
○ Not officially supported
● Not a perfect substitute
○ Calls the function, but not from the same
environment

13. Improving Iteration Speed
● Per-line output
● Immediate feedback
● Breakpoints and other local
debugging tools
● Unit and Integration tests

14. Deploying Your Code
● Zip-file from S3, or manual upload
○ NOTE: zip only the source code,
not the parent folder!
● Testing upload
● Publishing
● Complex, non-intuitive

15. Using Backand's CLI Tool
● Backand On-Demand Node.JS
Lambda actions
● Backand CLI abstracts away
deployment
● npm install -g backand
● Requires registering with Backand

16. Deploying Lambda Code
● Initializing an action- backand action init
○ Arguments available in docs.backand.com
● Copy your Node.JS code into created
directory
● Deploy - backand action deploy
○ Arguments available in docs.backand.com

17. Calling Your Lambda
● Authentication (if necessary)
○ api.backand.com/1/token
○ See docs
● cURL
curl -H "<auth header>" "https://api.backand.com/1/objects/action/<object>?name=<name>"
● JavaScript (with Backand SDK)
backand.object.action.get(...)

18. What is Backand?
● Serverless app platform
● Manages your app's database
● Manages your app's security and
authentication
● Provides custom server-side code execution
● Provides hosting options
● Provides logging, analytics, and more

19. Backand Features
● Automated REST API
● Bring your own Database
● Custom JavaScript Actions
● Server-Side Code Execution
● Batch and Bulk Processing
● Scheduled Tasks
● Automated messages
● Real-time Communications
● User and Role-based
Security
● Social Media Authentication
● GUI Schema Editor
● Custom Queries
● REST API Playground
● Sample Code Generation
● Hosting
● Detailed Analytics
● Logging
● Multi-Platform SDK
● Single Sign On Support

20. THANK YOU
https://github.com/backand
https://www.backand.com
matt@backand.com