What is Serverless Computing?
Definition
A cloud execution model where the provider dynamically manages server allocation and billing is based on actual compute time consumed. Developers write functions without provisioning infrastructure, though cold-start latency and vendor lock-in are trade-offs.
Related Terms
The delivery of computing resources (servers, storage, databases, networking) over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis. Cloud computing eliminates the need for organizations to own and maintain physical data centers.
A distributed computing paradigm that processes data closer to its source rather than in a centralized data center. Edge computing reduces latency for real-time applications like IoT sensors, autonomous vehicles, and content delivery.
A set of protocols and definitions that let different software systems communicate with each other. REST and GraphQL are the most common API styles used by modern SaaS platforms.