Getting to Know AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda is a type of serverless computing service that eliminates the need for developers to set up or manage servers to run their code. It is highly scalable and cost-effective, making it a popular choice for developing applications that demand dynamic computing resources. Developers who want to understand AWS Lambda will like its flexibility and ability to integrate with other Amazon services.

In this Cloud Lab, you’ll create a Lambda function using AWS Console and configure its runtime, environment, and execution role. Next, you’ll generate a Function URL to invoke the function through a web browser, the AWS console, curl commands, and the Boto3 SDK. You’ll then create an S3 bucket with “input” and “output” folders and configure an event trigger that automatically invokes Lambda whenever a file is uploaded. The function will process the file and store the transformed output in the designated folder. Additionally, you’ll explore Lambda versioning and aliasing to manage the Lambda function. You’ll create multiple Lambda versions and assign an alias to simplify deployments. Instead of modifying application references, you’ll update the alias to a new version, ensuring a smooth transition.

By the end of this Cloud Lab, you’ll gain practical knowledge of AWS Lambda, S3 event triggers, and version control, allowing you to build scalable, event-driven applications efficiently.

The following is the high-level architecture diagram of the infrastructure you’ll create in this Cloud Lab:

Why AWS Lambda is a core skill for modern cloud development

AWS Lambda is one of the fastest ways to ship backend functionality without provisioning or managing servers. Instead of thinking in terms of “machines” and long-running services, you think in terms of small units of code that run on demand, whether that demand comes from an HTTP request, a file upload, or an event from another AWS service.

That mindset shift matters because it changes how you design systems:

• You build event-driven components that scale automatically.

• You pay for execution, not idle capacity.

• You integrate quickly with AWS services like S3, CloudWatch, and API-driven workflows.

The key Lambda skills this Cloud Lab helps you practice

If you’re learning Lambda for the first time, the most useful skills aren’t “writing a function.” They’re the surrounding habits that make serverless work in real projects:

• Creating and configuring functions cleanly: You’ll learn how to create a Lambda function in the AWS Management Console and configure the basics: runtime, permissions, and execution role. These are the essentials you need before you can connect Lambda to anything meaningful.

• Invoking functions in multiple ways: This Cloud Lab emphasizes the following invocation methods:

  • Function URLs (simple HTTP invocation)

  • Command line calls (curl)

  • Programmatic invocation using the AWS SDK (boto3 in Python)

  That combination is practical because it mirrors how teams test and integrate Lambda during development.

• Building event-driven automation with S3 triggers: One of the most common serverless patterns is: a file arrives in S3, Lambda processes it, and the results are stored back in S3. This is a foundational workflow for tasks such as image processing, document parsing, ETL, and content moderation pipelines. The Cloud Lab has you set up an S3 bucket with input/output folders and configure the event trigger so uploads automatically invoke the function.

• Managing safe updates with versions and aliases: In real systems, you can’t break production every time you deploy. Lambda versions and aliases provide a clean mechanism for updating functions without requiring changes to references elsewhere. Once you understand versions and aliases, you’ve unlocked safer release workflows (and a smoother path toward CI/CD later).

Where you’ll use these skills next

After you’re comfortable with the basics in this Cloud Lab, the same building blocks show up everywhere:

• Adding authentication and routing via API Gateway.

• Chaining multiple functions with Step Functions.

• Processing streams (SQS, SNS, DynamoDB Streams, Kinesis).

• Packaging dependencies using Lambda layers or container runtimes.

If you can confidently create, invoke, trigger, and version a Lambda function, you’re ready to start designing serverless components that feel production-ready.