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AWS Serverless APIs & Apps - A Complete Introduction

Get into serverless computing with API Gateway, AWS Lambda and other Amazon Web Services! Zero server config APIs & SPAs

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Serverless computing will shape the future of web development since it allows you to get rid of many issues "traditional" web hosting poses.

Now's the time to dive into this exciting new technology!

Unlike in traditional web hosting, where you spin up servers, configure them and then deploy your code, in serverless applications, you don't manage any servers! Instead, you only provide your code and define when it should get executed. Done!

Without managing any servers, you typically pay way less (since you got no overhead capacity), can react much better to incoming traffic spikes and don't have to worry about server security!

For these very reasons, it's no wonder that serverless computing is on the rise, with more and more companies adopting it! Learn it now to gain an edge and either use it for your own projects or apply for high-paid jobs!

What does this course offer then?

This course will introduce you to serverless computing and then quickly dive into how to build serverless apps with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Specifically, you will learn:

  • how you can build a REST API without worrying about servers, using AWS API Gateway
  • to set up your on-demand code via AWS Lambda
  • how to execute that Lambda code whenever incoming requests reach your defined REST endpoints
  • how you can store data in a database - naturally without managing any database servers!

We won't stop there though! Instead, you'll then dive even deeper into serverless computing and learn:

  • how you can add user authentication to your existing frontend apps and how you can then also protect your REST API against unauthenticated access with ease!
  • how you can easily integrate a complete user sign up & sign in flow (including user confirmation) into ANY app (web app, iOS or Android app!) with AWS Cognito
  • how to deploy your web app in a serverless manner
  • how to speed up the delivery of your static web app assets
  • how to secure your serverless app
  • what else you can build with the services covered in this course and which other services might be interesting to you
  • where to dive deeper regarding advanced development workflows
  • and much more!

Is this course for you?

Now that you know what this course offers, is it the right choice for you? Which skills should you bring?

This course is absolutely the right choice for you if you're interested in providing great web applications without worrying about the provisioning of servers.

It's also the right choice if you already got experience as a system administrator but are interested in keeping up with the latest developments and the many new possibilities serverless computing offers.

You will need some basic AWS knowledge, or the willingness to dive deeper into AWS alongside taking this course. Additionally, a credit card is required for signing up to AWS.

Finally, you should be familiar with APIs and SPAs (Single-Page-Applications) and which role they play in today's web development environment. You don't need to know how to create them though.

I'd be very happy to welcome you on board!

Course content

Section 1Getting Started

  • Introduction
    2:44
  • What is AWS?
    1:51
  • [OPTIONAL] AWS - A Closer Look
    1:00
  • What is Serverless Development?
    5:36
  • Join our Online Learning Community
    1:00
  • Does AWS Cost Money?
    1:00
  • AWS Signup & First Serverless API
    8:46
  • Why AWS?
    1:01
  • Course Structure
    3:22
  • How to get the Most out of this Course
    2:21
  • Useful Resources & Links
    1:00

Section 2The Core Serverless Services

  • Module IntroductionPremium
    0:43
  • An Overview over the Core Serverless ServicesPremium
    5:31
  • More Info About The Core ServicesPremium
    1:00
  • The Course ProjectPremium
    2:50
  • Understanding AWS Permissions (IAM)Premium
    1:00

Section 3Creating an API with API Gateway & AWS Lambda

  • Module IntroductionPremium
    0:55
  • What is API Gateway?Premium
    2:17
  • API Gateway: Useful Resources & LinksPremium
    1:00
  • Accessing the API Gateway ConsolePremium
    1:03
  • General API Gateway FeaturesPremium
    4:46
  • API-specific Features & OptionsPremium
    4:50
  • Introducing the Request-Response CyclePremium
    4:38
  • Understanding the Request-Response CyclePremium
    6:12
  • Creating a New APIPremium
    3:19
  • Creating a Resource (= URL Path)Premium
    3:15
  • Handling CORS and the OPTIONS Preflight RequestPremium
    4:11
  • Creating a (HTTP) MethodPremium
    4:10
  • What is AWS Lambda?Premium
    2:45
  • AWS Lambda: Useful Resources & LinksPremium
    1:00
  • Creating a Lambda FunctionPremium
    11:12
  • Lambda Pricing & Uploading CodePremium
    1:00
  • Connecting Lambda Functions to API Gateway EndpointsPremium
    1:27
  • Accessing the API from the Web & Fixing CORS IssuesPremium
    7:24
  • Assignment: Lambda (Problem)Premium
    1:14
  • Assignment: Lambda (Solution)Premium
    8:10
  • Understanding "event" in Lambda FunctionsPremium
    1:59
  • Forwarding Requests with "Proxy Integration"Premium
    3:52
  • Accessing Lambda LogsPremium
    2:50
  • Getting Started with Body Mapping TemplatesPremium
    4:44
  • Extracting Request Data with Body Mapping TemplatesPremium
    4:08
  • What's the Idea behind Body Mappings?Premium
    2:09
  • Mapping Response DataPremium
    2:41
  • Using Models & Validating RequestsPremium
    3:14
  • Models & MappingsPremium
    6:42
  • Assignment: API Gateway (Problem)Premium
    1:51
  • Assignment: API Gateway (Solution)Premium
    7:51
  • Next StepsPremium
    1:24
  • Adding a DELETE Method Endpoint to the APIPremium
    2:24
  • Using Path ParametersPremium
    8:42
  • What about Query Parameters?Premium
    1:00
  • Accessing the API from the Web - The Right WayPremium
    7:11
  • Wrap UpPremium
    2:43

Section 4Data Storage with DynamoDB

  • Module IntroductionPremium
    0:44
  • What is DynamoDB?Premium
    2:50
  • AWS: DynamoDB Useful Resources & LinksPremium
    1:00
  • How DynamoDB Organizes DataPremium
    4:57
  • NoSQL vs SQLPremium
    2:51
  • Using DynamoDB with LambdaPremium
    0:52
  • Creating a Table in DynamoDBPremium
    2:40
  • Understanding Read & Write CapacityPremium
    4:11
  • Creating and Scanning ItemsPremium
    2:16
  • What about multiple Databases?Premium
    1:20
  • Accessing DynamoDB from LambdaPremium
    4:36
  • Quiz: DynamoDB ConceptsPremium
    1:00
  • Sidenote: How Lambda works behind the ScenesPremium
    1:42
  • Putting Items into a DynamoDB Table from LambdaPremium
    6:14
  • Setting Permissions RightPremium
    2:18
  • Using API Gateway (Request) Data for Item CreationPremium
    6:29
  • Mapping the Response & Web TestingPremium
    3:05
  • Scanning Data in DynamoDB from LambdaPremium
    7:52
  • Improving the IAM PermissionsPremium
    4:30
  • Restructuring Fetched Data in LambdaPremium
    3:00
  • Getting a Single Item from DynamoDB via LambdaPremium
    5:37
  • Testing it from the Web & Passing Correct DataPremium
    1:37
  • Preparing "Delete" PermissionsPremium
    2:48
  • Giving Lambda Logging RightsPremium
    1:00
  • Deleting Items in DynamoDB via LambdaPremium
    4:41
  • Mapping DynamoDB ResponsesPremium
    6:45
  • Wrap UpPremium
    1:50

Section 5Authenticating Users with Cognito and API Gateway Authorizers

  • Module IntroductionPremium
    1:32
  • How to add Authorization to API GatewayPremium
    2:12
  • Understanding Custom Authorizers (API Gateway)Premium
    4:01
  • Creating a Custom Authorizer FunctionPremium
    10:12
  • Using Custom AuthorizersPremium
    5:50
  • Retrieving Users from Custom AuthorizersPremium
    6:08
  • What is AWS Cognito?Premium
    2:27
  • AWS Cognito: Useful Resources & LinksPremium
    1:00
  • Cognito User Pools and Federated IdentitiesPremium
    1:31
  • Creating a Cognito User PoolPremium
    8:13
  • Understanding the Cognito Auth FlowPremium
    3:19
  • Adding Cognito to a Frontend App - Getting StartedPremium
    5:28
  • Using Cognito in iOS or Android AppsPremium
    1:00
  • Adding Signup to the Frontend AppPremium
    12:00
  • Adding User Confirmation to a Frontend AppPremium
    4:08
  • Adding Signin to a Frontend AppPremium
    5:50
  • Managing User State with CognitoPremium
    3:48
  • Using a Cognito Authorizer with API GatewayPremium
    2:46
  • Passing the right User ID to LambdaPremium
    6:43
  • Using Query Params & Cognito from LambdaPremium
    7:59
  • Passing Query Params from the FrontendPremium
    3:50
  • Passing the User Id to the DELETE EndpointPremium
    5:05
  • Wrap UpPremium
    1:46

Section 6Hosting a Serverless SPA

  • Module IntroductionPremium
    2:00
  • What is S3?Premium
    2:32
  • AWS S3: Useful Resources & LinksPremium
    1:00
  • Creating a S3 BucketPremium
    4:30
  • Uploading the Web App to the BucketPremium
    2:47
  • Turning a S3 Bucket into a Static WebserverPremium
    3:39
  • Setting up LoggingPremium
    1:53
  • Optimizing Content Delivery: What is AWS CloudFront?Premium
    2:28
  • AWS CloudFront: Useful Resources & LinksPremium
    1:00
  • Setting up a CloudFront DistributionPremium
    4:39
  • Finishing the CloudFront SetupPremium
    1:08
  • Using a Custom Domain: What is Route53?Premium
    1:15
  • AWS Route53: Useful Resources & LinksPremium
    1:00
  • Registering a DomainPremium
    1:52
  • Connecting a Domain to a CloudFront DistributionPremium
    7:01
  • Wrap UpPremium
    1:15

Section 7Beyond the Basics - An Outlook

  • Module IntroductionPremium
    3:13
  • Documenting an APIPremium
    2:10
  • Other AWS Lambda TriggersPremium
    8:00
  • Going Serverless with a Node/ Express App (Non-API!)Premium
    1:58
  • Running Node/ Express Apps via Lambda + API GatewayPremium
    9:24
  • Pros and Cons of Serverless Node/Express MPAPremium
    3:08
  • Learn more about AWS Serverless + Express AppsPremium
    1:00
  • Serverless Apps and SecurityPremium
    12:04
  • A Case of a Better Development WorkflowPremium
    1:03
  • Getting to know the Serverless FrameworkPremium
    6:02
  • Getting to know SAM (Serverless Application Model) by AWSPremium
    3:40
  • Testing Serverless Apps with localstackPremium
    3:18
  • Other useful AWS ServicesPremium
    5:38
  • Wrap UpPremium
    1:11
  • Useful Resources & LinksPremium
    1:00

Section 8Course Roundup

  • RoundupPremium
    1:00

Course instructor

Photo of Maximilian Schwarzmüller

Maximilian Schwarzmüller

As a self-taught professional I really know the hard parts and the difficult topics when learning new or improving on already-known languages. This background and experience enable me to focus on the most relevant key concepts and topics. My track record of many 5-star rated courses, more than 1,000,000 students worldwide as well as a successful YouTube channel is the best proof for that.

The most rewarding experience for me is to see how people find new, better jobs, build awesome web applications, work on amazing projects or simply enjoy their hobby with the help of my content. That's why, together with Manuel Lorenz, I founded Academind to offer the best possible learning experience and to share the pleasure of learning with our students.