What is Firebase Cloud Functions?

This article will explain Firebase Cloud Functions, their advantages, core features, and pricing structure.

What are Cloud Functions?

The cloud function is also known as the event-driven computing platform. It is called the serverless computing system, service, or function as a service (FaaS). It helps to run codes as a response to direct invocations or events. To know more about server architecture, please read Serverless Backend Explained. 

What is Firebase Cloud Functions?

Mobile and web apps require a proper back-end code for the management and execution of tasks like processing any long-running tasks or sending notifications. In the traditional processes, these back-end codes were managed by the server.

Google Firebase has recently introduced a new function known as the Cloud Functions. It is providing various scalable solutions for managing and running the back-end codes of apps in the cloud.

Firebase Cloud Functions Advantages

One of the best things about cloud functions is the great advantages that come with the services. Here we will mention some of them in detail.

1.    Automatic scaling

One of the hardest things that a developer has to face during the life of an application is to upscale or downscale the services. The reason for this is the increasing or decreasing number of users. However, when the cloud functions from Firebase are used, the developers do not have to worry about the scaling of their backend services.

The cloud function from Firebase comes with automatic scaling that means the servers’ capacity is automatically scaled according to the requirement of the application.

2.    Event-driven services make things easier

One fascinating and fantastic thing about the cloud function from Firebase is that you can write event-driven cloud-based functions. This means that the function will be called for a specific event. It is a great way to add a lot of functionality and enhance your application’s user experience, whether it is a mobile app or a web app.

3.    No server management is required

In the older times, developers had to manage the backend of their applications. This makes things very difficult for the developers because one error can put the whole system on hold. This, however, is not an issue with the cloud functions from Firebase. The servers are managed, and the developers only have to connect them to their application.

4.    Integrations

One of the best things about the cloud functions from Firebase is that these services come with pre-integrated services. Using this, the developers can easily add a lot of functionality to their application just by using the functions. This also makes things very easy because the developers do not have to create or change these functions.

5.    Pay by the usage pricing model

There are many cases about the cloud functions where the users are worried about the pricing because the pricing policies are not user-friendly. This is not the case with Google Firebase cloud functions.

These services are paid as you go, meaning that you only have to pay for the services you use. The best part is that the cloud functions’ automatic scaling feature makes it even better for the users.

Firebase Cloud Functions Core Features

Cloud functions from Firebase come with many features that bring a lot of functionality to your mobile and web applications. Here we will discuss some of the core features of cloud functions from Firebase.

1. With the Firebase cloud functions services, you can develop your application’s whole backend without the need to have a server.
2. The backend cannot only be made, but it will never include any server management for a lifetime.
3. One of the best things about getting the cloud function services from Google is that you will be sure about your code and application’s security.
4. Once your mobile or web applications are deployed with the help of cloud functions from Firebase, the need for maintenance will be very low.
5. Unlike some other cloud function services, Google’s Firebase cloud functions allow you for all types of third-party services integrations, allowing you to add all the necessary functionality to your application.

Firebase Cloud Functions Pricing

• Cloud Functions are not available under the Free Plan (Spark);
• Although it’s not available on the Spark Plan, there is a Free usage limit under the Blaze plan;
• Cloud Functions pricing depends on:
  • Number of invocations
  • GB Seconds
  • CPU Seconds
  • Network Out
  • Build Minutes
  • Storage

The table below provides the pricing overview:

Final Thoughts

Firebase Cloud Functions is an event-driven serverless environment from Firebase. It’s a great way to no longer worry about server management, autoscale applications and pay only for specific event usage.

This article provided an overview of Firebase Cloud Functions, the essential features, significant advantages, and pricing structure. Hopefully, it will help you to make a bold decision about using or not this service.

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