Unlock the Power of Serverless Architecture
The traditional role of frontend developers has undergone a significant transformation with the rise of Node.js, Jamstack, and serverless architecture. Today, frontend developers with a solid grasp of JavaScript can build full-stack solutions that combine speed, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
The Perfect Blend: Speed, Scalability, and Cost
In this tutorial, we’ll explore a unique combination of technologies that offers a winning formula for building modern web applications. We’ll create a server-side rendered (SSR) web app that leverages scalable serverless functions to serve your application. The result? A seamless user experience that’s both fast and search engine-friendly.
The Magic of Serverless Functions
Serverless architecture doesn’t mean you’re without a server; it means you don’t have to manage it yourself. With Firebase functions, Google takes care of server management, application scaling, and infrastructure optimization, leaving you to focus on writing code.
Choosing the Right Platform
From Microsoft’s Azure Functions to AWS’ Lambda Functions and Netlify, there’s a flavor of serverless function for every taste. Most platforms offer a free tier, making it an attractive option for small apps with lower usage.
The Anatomy of a Serverless App
Our app consists of two parts:
- Hosting: Holds static files, such as media, favicons, and other static content.
- Functions: Small JavaScript functions that handle server-side rendering and provide endpoints for APIs.
Introducing Sapper and Svelte
We’ll be using Sapper, a sister project to Svelte, to craft our application. Svelte is a rising star in the frontend world, offering a light and fluffy vanilla JS solution by compiling code ahead of time. This results in super speedy functionality and reactive components from the get-go.
Setting Up Your Project
To get started, create a new project folder and open it in Visual Studio Code. Install Node.js and set up your project structure. We’ll use the terminal to build the Sapper base from the main Sapper repo and install dependencies.
Making it Your Own
Once you have the base project set up, it’s time to add your own flair. Sapper and Svelte have lean initial setups, so you’ll need to do some housekeeping to craft your web app to your liking. Don’t forget to get your project into a git repository to avoid mistakes.
Refactoring for Firebase
To deploy your app to Firebase, you’ll need to refactor your project structure and update some files. This involves moving your Sapper app into the Firebase functions folder and updating your package.json file.
Deploying to the Cloud
The final step is to deploy your project to Firebase using the Firebase CLI. This sends your app up to the cloud, where it can be accessed via a unique hosting URL.
Congratulations!
You’ve successfully built a Sapper project, refactored it to work with Firebase, and deployed it to the serverless server in the sky. Your app is now lightweight, scalable, and bitesized – a perfect combination for modern web development.