Following on from the previous post on Python/.Net integration, in this post we have a look at using Python functionality through REST interfaces invoking Python code on a serverless platform. Suitable firewalling/access control provide a high degree of security.

Potential application areas

Potential applications:

  1. Compute-intensive calculations
  2. Highly specialised code which needs to be centrally maintained
  3. Code confidentiality/security

Advantages/Disadvantages

Advantages:

  1. Low maintenance on client side as the REST interface creates a relatively low coupling, and all updates and maintenance to the Python code is done centrally on the serverless functions
  2. Instant scalability out to largest scales (1000+ compute instances if using AWS/Azure). World-wide distribution through cloud data centres
  3. The Python code is never visible to clients hence preserving confidentiality

Disadvantages:

  1. Latency as data are transferred over network and serverless functions may need "warm-up"
  2. Dependence on reliability of the serverless platform
  3. Supporting legacy versions of clients can become difficult
  4. Slower moving evolution of the interface/functionality (but this can be an advantage too...)

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