Explain AWS Lambda to your EC2 guy in 5 steps

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Step 1: EC2 Instances vs. AWS Lambda

EC2 instances are like owning dedicated office spaces, where developers manage the infrastructure, scale manually, while AWS Lambda operates as flexible co-working spaces, where infrastructure management is abstracted, scaling occurs automatically, and developers focus solely on executing specific tasks with code functions.

Step 2: Deployment and Scaling Differences

Deploying applications on EC2 involves configuring servers, managing load balancing, and manually scaling resources, whereas, with AWS Lambda, developers upload functions directly, allowing for automatic scaling and minimal configuration, adjusting resources based on incoming events or requests.

Step 3: Cost and Resource Management

EC2 instances bill based on allocated resources, requiring manual scaling adjustments and steady cost regardless of usage, whereas AWS Lambda follows a pay-per-use model, charging only for function execution time, optimizing resource allocation and cost-efficiency.

Step 4: Application Architecture

EC2-based architectures demand fixed structures with developers managing infrastructure, databases, and application logic, whereas AWS Lambda facilitates a modular, microservices-oriented approach, abstracting infrastructure concerns and enabling seamless integration with other AWS services.

Step 5: Flexibility and Development Focus

EC2 development often involves juggling server configurations, diverting attention from pure code development, while AWS Lambda allows developers to concentrate solely on writing efficient, task-specific functions, eliminating server management burdens and streamlining development efforts.