Serverless AWS Lambda Development · Lesson

Introduction to Serverless Framework

Get acquainted with the Serverless Framework, a cloud-agnostic tool that simplifies the deployment and management of serverless applications across multiple providers.

Introduction to Serverless Framework is a free Serverless AWS Lambda Development lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Serverless AWS Lambda Development learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Intro to Serverless Framework

Welcome! In this lesson, we'll get acquainted with the Serverless Framework, a powerful command-line interface (CLI) tool.

It helps you build, deploy, and manage serverless applications across different cloud providers, including AWS Lambda.

Why Use Serverless Framework?

The Serverless Framework simplifies serverless development significantly. Here's why it's popular:

Cloud-Agnostic: Works with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and more.
Simplified Deployment: Automates the creation of cloud resources needed for your functions.
Consistency: Provides a standardized way to define and manage your serverless applications.
Focus on Code: Lets you concentrate on writing your application logic, not infrastructure setup.

Core Concepts: Services & Functions

Let's understand some key terms:

Service: Your project. It's a collection of related functions, events, and resources. Defined in a serverless.yml file.
Function: A single Lambda function (or similar compute unit in other clouds). It's your actual code.
Event: What triggers your function. Examples include HTTP requests, S3 uploads, or database changes.

Installing the Serverless CLI

First, you'll need Node.js and npm installed on your machine. Then, you can install the Serverless Framework CLI globally using npm:

npm install -g serverless

Creating Your First Service

Once installed, you can create a new serverless service using the serverless create command. You'll specify a template for your desired cloud provider and runtime.

For an AWS Node.js service, you might use:

serverless create --template aws-nodejs --path my-first-service

Understanding serverless.yml

The core of your Serverless Framework project is the serverless.yml file. This YAML file defines your service's configuration, including provider, functions, and events.

Here's a basic structure:

service: my-first-service
frameworkVersion: '3'

provider:
  name: aws
  runtime: nodejs18.x

functions:
  hello:
    handler: handler.hello

Defining a Lambda Function & Event

In serverless.yml, you define your Lambda functions and the events that trigger them. For example, to make our hello function accessible via an HTTP API endpoint:

service: my-first-service
frameworkVersion: '3'

provider:
  name: aws
  runtime: nodejs18.x

functions:
  hello:
    handler: handler.hello
    events:
      - httpApi:
          path: /hello
          method: get

Writing the Handler Code

Now, let's look at the actual Node.js code for our hello function, typically located in handler.js. This code will be executed when the HTTP API event triggers it.

Try running this example:

'use strict';

module.exports.hello = async (event) => {
  return {
    statusCode: 200,
    body: JSON.stringify(
      {
        message: 'Hello from Serverless Framework!',
        input: event,
      },
      null,
      2
    ),
  };
};

Deploying Your Service

Once your serverless.yml and handler code are ready, deploying your serverless application to AWS is as simple as running a single command:

The framework will package your code, create the necessary AWS resources (Lambda function, API Gateway endpoint, IAM roles), and deploy them.

serverless deploy

Quick Check: Serverless Concepts

What is the primary purpose of the serverless.yml file in a Serverless Framework project?

Recap: Serverless Framework Intro

Great job! In this lesson, you've been introduced to the Serverless Framework. You learned:

What the Serverless Framework is and why it's useful.
Key concepts like services, functions, and events.
How to install the CLI and create a new service.
The role of serverless.yml in defining your application.
How to write a simple Lambda handler and deploy your service.

Next up, we'll dive deeper into more advanced deployment strategies!

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Introduction to Serverless Framework” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Introduction to Serverless Framework” is free to read here on the web, and the Serverless AWS Lambda Development course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Serverless AWS Lambda Development course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Introduction to Serverless Framework”?

Get acquainted with the Serverless Framework, a cloud-agnostic tool that simplifies the deployment and management of serverless applications across multiple providers. You practise Serverless AWS Lambda Development with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Serverless AWS Lambda Development?

No prior experience is required. Serverless AWS Lambda Development on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Introduction to Serverless Framework” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Serverless AWS Lambda Development lesson?

Yes. Every Serverless AWS Lambda Development lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

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