Code Along - AWS Lambda, Kinesis and Serverless Framework

Build a dynamic, server-driven university search platform with flexible filters for degree level, field of study, tuition, and scores, delivering real-time, low-latency, high-availability results under a tight budget.

Examine the traditional architecture with virtual machines running 24/7, API servers behind a load balancer, a compact database schema, plus security and caching layers, and the high maintenance costs.

Create and deploy your first AWS Lambda function using the serverless framework, configure the provider and region, and test the hello function stored in S3 and managed by CloudFormation.

Understand how a Lambda function is invoked with event and context objects, how the callback returns results after processing, influenced by the event queue, remaining time, and the default timeout.

Create a function that talks to third-party APIs to fetch university data, use the sample data from a provided link, and create a file in the project.

Develop a lambda-based API function to fetch course categories (graduate and undergraduate), expose a REST endpoint, and deliver a menu list to the frontend for dynamic dropdowns.

Contrast the 90s data-centric approach with a modern serverless design using the serverless framework to create a decoupled, scalable, cost-effective system with searchable data and a high speed cache.

Explore how architectural design thinking shapes practical skills, as students share how the course influenced them, and provide feedback to shape future levels.