Deploy and configure web apps

1. Deploy and configure web apps

In this video, you'll learn to deploy and configure Azure Web Apps using the Azure Portal.

2. What are Azure Web Apps?

Azure Web Apps are cloud services which allow you to deploy websites and APIs without managing servers. They're well-suited for hosting corporate websites, customer portals, and e-commerce platforms.

3. What are Azure Web Apps?

Imagine you need to create a product catalog for an e-commerce site. You can get that website deployed and started in minutes using Web Apps.

4. Deploying your Web App

When creating a Web App, you must select a runtime stack such as Python, Node.js, .NET, or Java. This determines how Azure executes your application. It's also essential to choose an App Service Plan that supports the runtime. For example, Python and Node.js require a Linux-based plan, while some .NET apps may need Windows.

5. Code deployment options

Azure Web Apps support several deployment methods: ZIP packages, GitHub, Bitbucket, or local Git, Azure DevOps, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). For small teams or quick roll-outs, ZIP deployment from the portal is fast and easy. For example, a marketing team can upload the latest campaign site as a ZIP file with no developer intervention. Larger projects can benefit from automated CI/CD pipelines using GitHub or Azure DevOps.

6. Accessing your Web App

Once the Web App is deployed, it can be accessed by an unique URL (or default domain). For instance, after uploading the campaign website, the marketing team can immediately test the interface and share feedback.

7. Configuring your Web App

Web Apps include configuration options to control performance, behavior, and reliability. Using the Azure Portal, you can adjust runtime settings such as the coding stack and operating system platform to match your application's requirements. You can define environment variables to securely pass configuration values like connection strings or API keys. You can also enable logging to capture execution details and errors, helping you monitor and troubleshoot without changing any code.

8. Using environment variables

Environment variables allow you to pass configuration settings to your Web App at runtime. They are stored securely and can be changed without modifying the code base or redeploying the app.

9. Using environment variables

There are two major categories of environment variables: app settings and connection strings. App settings are perfect for values like API keys, feature toggles, or any custom setting your app needs. They are exposed to your code as simple environment variables. The connection strings section is specifically designed for connections to databases. It gives them a special status and structure, making it easier for frameworks like .NET to consume them automatically.

10. Using environment variables

For example, an application can read a GREETING_MESSAGE variable to display a customized welcome message, or use DB_CONNECTIONSTRING to connect to a database. This approach improves flexibility, security, and maintainability.

11. Web App logging

Diagnostics are essential for managing live applications. You can enable application logs, web server logs, and request logs to capture relevant runtime information. For example, if users report slow response times in a website, logs can help you identify the root cause. You also have the option to save logs in Azure Storage or use Application Insights for in-depth analysis and long-term monitoring.

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