Create Serverless Applications

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/create-serverless-applications

Introduction

## Course Review: Create Serverless Applications on Coursera ### Overview The "Create Serverless Applications" course on Coursera is an essential program for developers interested in building event-driven applications using Microsoft Azure's serverless computing capabilities. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, the demand for efficient and scalable applications is higher than ever. Azure Functions offer a compelling solution by enabling developers to easily execute code in response to various events, optimizing both performance and cost-effectiveness. This course is particularly beneficial for those looking to prepare for the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification. ### Course Structure The course is organized into several modules, each focusing on different aspects of Azure Functions and serverless architectures. Here’s a breakdown of the syllabus: #### 1. **Automate Business Processes with Microsoft Azure** This module introduces various Azure hosting options such as Azure Functions, Power Automate, Logic Apps, and WebJobs. Participants learn to recognize the most suitable technology for specific scenarios and how to utilize Azure Functions to execute business logic without the burden of infrastructure management. #### 2. **Execute an Azure Function with Triggers** Understanding triggers is crucial for effective Azure Function deployment. This module explores the different types of triggers, equipping students with the knowledge to configure them to execute their desired logic efficiently. #### 3. **Chain Azure Functions Together Using Input and Output Bindings** One of the significant strengths of Azure Functions is their integration capabilities with data and services. This module teaches learners about bindings that facilitate the declaration of data sources, streamlining the read/write processes by leveraging Azure's built-in functionalities. #### 4. **Modernize Workflow with Azure Functions** Participants will explore the concept of Durable Functions, which allow the orchestration of long-running workflows as a series of activities. The module focuses on utilizing Azure Functions Core Tools for development, alongside best practices for testing and deployment using Visual Studio. #### 5. **Monitor GitHub Events with a Webhook and Azure Functions** This module introduces webhooks, highlighting how to trigger Azure Functions in response to events from GitHub. This real-world application demonstrates how to parse and utilize data for actionable insights. #### 6. **Enable Automatic Updates and Build APIs** Students will learn to evolve a web app’s notification mechanism from a polling to a push-based architecture using Azure Cosmos DB and SignalR along with Azure Functions. The integration of multiple Azure Function apps into a single API Management interface is also covered. #### 7. **Practice Exam** To wrap up the course, students have the opportunity to take a practice exam that reflects the key skills required for the official Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure, reinforcing the knowledge acquired throughout the course. ### Why Take This Course? 1. **Expert Instruction:** This course is designed and taught by industry professionals with hands-on experience in Microsoft's Azure environment, ensuring that students receive relevant knowledge and actionable skills. 2. **Comprehensive Content:** With a well-rounded syllabus covering both fundamental concepts and advanced applications, learners will be well-prepared to navigate the complexities of serverless architectures. 3. **Certification Preparation:** For those aiming for the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification, this course provides a structured path to mastering the skills required for the exam, complete with a practice test to assess readiness. 4. **Real-World Applications:** The course covers practical use cases like webhook event monitoring and modernizing workflows, allowing students to visualize how these skills are applicable in real-life scenarios. 5. **Flexibility of Learning:** Being an online course, it offers the flexibility to learn at your own pace while providing access to numerous helpful resources and a community of fellow learners. ### Recommendation If you are a developer eager to expand your cloud computing expertise and embrace modern application development methodologies, I highly recommend enrolling in the "Create Serverless Applications" course on Coursera. By the end of this course, you will not only gain valuable skills in Azure Functions but also position yourself as a knowledgeable contender in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Whether you're looking to enhance your professional credentials or simply expand your skill set, this course is an excellent investment in your career.

Syllabus

Automate Business Processes with Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure provides several different ways to host and execute code or workflows without using Virtual Machines (VMs) including Azure Functions, Microsoft Power Automate, Azure Logic Apps, and Azure WebJobs. In this module, you will learn about these technologies and how to choose the right one for a given scenario. You will also see how Azure Functions allow developers to host business logic that can be executed without managing or provisioning infrastructure.

A trigger is responsible for executing an Azure function and there are dozens of triggers to choose from. This module will show you some of the most common types of triggers and how to configure them to execute your logic.

Azure Functions makes it easy for your function code to integrate with data and services. In this module, you will learn to use bindings to declare the data sources to read and write, and let Azure Functions take care of the rest.

In this module, you will learn how to orchestrate a long-running workflow as a set of activities using Durable Functions. You will use the Azure Functions Core Tools to create and run functions on a development computer and publish them to Azure. You will learn how to create, test, and deploy Azure Functions using Visual studio and how to manage Azure Function code.

Webhooks offer a lightweight mechanism for your app to be notified by another service when something of interest happens. In this module. you'll learn how to trigger an Azure function with a GitHub webhook and parse the payload for insights.

In this module, you will learn how to update a web app's notification mechanism from polling to push-based architecture with SignalR Service, Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Functions. You will also learn how to combine multiple Azure Functions apps into a unified interface by importing them into a single Azure API Management instance.

In this module, you will take a practice exam that covers key skills measured in the Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure.