Serverless computing is a contradiction at first glance. Yet, it's a rapidly growing trend. How can we have cloud services seemingly devoid of servers?

It's about obscuring complexities, not eliminating them. 

What actually is serverless computing?

The name might seem paradoxical, notes Professor Samuel Kounev of Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany. Because, in reality, even the so-called serverless cloud solutions require servers.

To illustrate, consider the traditional cloud computing model. Take an online retailer, for instance, that procures computational resources in the guise of virtual machines (VMs) from a cloud vendor. Yet, the responsibility of managing "their" servers, meaning the VMs, squarely falls on the retailer. From securing the system to ensuring it doesn't get overwhelmed with traffic or finding ways to bounce back after a system breakdown – the retailer has to deal with it all.

This isn't the case with serverless computing. In this innovative approach, the cloud service provider shoulders the entirety of server management. So much so, that end-users are kept at arm's length, unaware to the server's workings.

This is the genesis of "serverless."

"The basic idea of serverless computing has been around since the beginning of cloud computing. However, it has not become widely accepted," states Samuel Kounev, the esteemed leader of the JMU Chair of Computer Science II (Software Engineering).

Yet, the winds are changing, with both the tech industry and academia increasingly gravitating towards this paradigm.

The research under the scope

The seeds for this research article were sown back in 2021. During that year, about 50 global authorities on serverless computing assembled for a seminar at Schloss Dagstuhl – the distinguished Leibniz Centre for Informatics.

Reflecting on the seminar's dialogues, Kounev states, "We discussed the most important developments and research questions there and found out that many of us define serverless computing differently and that contradictions sometimes arise."

Such divergences in viewpoints, as Kounev mentions, are often part and parcel of science, especially when new paradigms are in the making.

In light of these varied definitions and to bring forth clarity, a band of these scholars took the initiative. Their post-seminar collaboration aimed to crystallize a coherent definition for serverless computing. And it's this same group that has penned the recent article in the CACM journal. Notably, their ranks are graced by the likes of Ian Foster, a revered luminary in the world of cloud computing from the USA.

The team distilled serverless computing down to two pivotal principles: NoOps and utilisation-based billing:

• NoOps (No Operations): It's a hands-off approach for the customer. From the intricacies of hardware to the layers of software, all responsibilities lie with the cloud provider. It's about enjoying the service without fretting over the backend complexities.

• Utilisation-based billing: You're only billed for the time you actively utilize the resources. It's similar to a café where the charges apply only for the duration you sip your coffee, not for merely occupying a seat. In contrast, traditional cloud services invoice for the total duration resources are held, regardless of actual use.

From vision to vivid reality

In 2023, we stand amazed by relentless technological breakthroughs. We've witnessed the capabilities of LLMs and generative AI and are now deep-diving into the intricacies of serverless computing. 

İnnova not only watches the latest trends in technology to offer the most suitable solutions possible but also offers its own innovative solutions. Take Managed Robotic Process Automation (RPA as a Service) for instance, these RPA robots, designed to mimic human interactions with digital systems, harness rule-based AI to refine business automation. They're not just task executors; they interpret, calculate, and dynamically respond. After all, this dynamism is the essence of the cloud, isn't it? 

This is what the cloud was always meant to embody. A vision of nimble adaptability, now vividly realized.

Behind the scenes, servers persist

It's crucial to understand that while the future of cloud computing moves towards a serverless paradigm, it's not devoid of servers. Instead, it streamlines user interaction, placing the technical complexities behind the curtain, managed seamlessly by providers.

The ambition is not just about eliminating server management for users, but also about enhancing scalability. The elasticity of cloud services will soon auto-tune, adjusting to the ebb and flow of demand.

The broader vision extends to applications like Earth observation, where serverless platforms might reshape the way we study global phenomena. From understanding deforestation rates to tracking snow retreat in mountain regions, the convenience and efficiency of serverless platforms could be game-changers.

Though specific collaborations might be numerous, what stands out is the collective effort. The tech world, from academic chairs to leading aerospace centers, is converging to unlock the full potential of serverless computing.

While serverless heralds a new era, it's an evolution, a natural progression in the cloud computing journey. 

As users, we'll witness more efficiency, but the powerhouses, the servers, will remain – diligently working behind the scenes.