Build and Deploy Serverless Applications with IBM WebSphere Application Server 9 | by Youssef Sbai Idrissi | Jan, 2023


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IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) is a widely-used application server that offers a range of features and capabilities for building and deploying enterprise-grade applications. WAS 9, the latest version, introduces a number of enhancements and new features that make it an even more powerful tool for developers.

In this article, we will explore the key features and capabilities of WAS 9, with a focus on its support for serverless architecture. We will also provide a step-by-step guide for deploying a serverless application using WAS 9 and IBM Cloud Functions.

Serverless architecture involves the use of cloud-based services to execute code in response to events, rather than running code on dedicated servers. This can help reduce costs and increase scalability, as resources are only allocated when needed. WAS 9 integrates with IBM Cloud Functions, a serverless platform that allows developers to build and deploy code in a variety of languages, including Java, Node.js, and Python.

To deploy a serverless application using WAS 9 and IBM Cloud Functions, developers can use the IBM Cloud Functions command-line interface (CLI) to create and manage their functions. For example, to create a Java function using the CLI, a developer could use the following command:

ibmcloud fn action create myJavaFunction --jar target/myJavaFunction.jar --main com.example.MyFunction

This would create a new action called “myJavaFunction” using the JAR file located at “target/myJavaFunction.jar” and the main class “com.example.MyFunction”.

Once the function has been created, it can be triggered by an event, such as an HTTP request or the completion of a task. For example, to trigger the function with an HTTP request, a developer could use the following command:

ibmcloud fn api create /myApi /myJavaFunction post myJavaFunction --response-type json

This would create an API endpoint at “/myApi” that invokes the “myJavaFunction” action when it receives a POST request. The function’s response will be returned in JSON format.

In addition to serverless support, WAS 9 also introduces improvements to security, performance, and scalability. Security enhancements include support for the latest encryption algorithms and secure communication protocols, such as TLS 1.3. Performance improvements include the ability to handle more concurrent connections and faster startup times for applications. Scalability has been improved through the use of intelligent routing, which allows the application server to more effectively distribute workloads across multiple servers.

To deploy a serverless application using WAS 9 and IBM Cloud Functions, follow these steps:

  1. Install the IBM Cloud Functions command-line interface (CLI) and authenticate with your IBM Cloud account.
  2. Build and package your application as a JAR file. This will include any dependencies and the main class that contains the code for your serverless functions.
  3. Use the IBM Cloud Functions CLI to create your functions. For example, to create a Java function using the CLI, you can use the following command:
ibmcloud fn action create myJavaFunction --jar target/myJavaFunction.jar --main com.example.MyFunction

4. Create an API endpoint for your function. This will allow you to trigger the function with an HTTP request. For example, to create an API endpoint for a POST request, you can use the following command:

ibmcloud fn api create /myApi /myJavaFunction post myJavaFunction --response-type json
  1. Test your function by sending an HTTP request to the API endpoint you created. You should receive a response from the function in the specified response format (in this case, JSON).
  2. If you need to update your function, simply rebuild the JAR file with your updated code and use the IBM Cloud Functions CLI to update the function. For example, you can use the following command to update the “myJavaFunction” action:
ibmcloud fn action update myJavaFunction --jar target/myJavaFunction.jar --main com.example.MyFunction

That’s it! You have now deployed a serverless application using WAS 9 and IBM Cloud Functions.

In summary, WAS 9 is a powerful and feature-rich application server that offers a lot of flexibility for developers building and deploying applications. The addition of serverless support makes it an even more attractive option for those looking to take advantage of this architecture.

References:

  • IBM (2021). IBM WebSphere Application Server Version 9.0

References:

  • Youssef Sbai Idrissi, 2023.
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