Combine Web apps and Functions

1. Combine Web Apps and Functions

We've already explored Web Apps for hosting user-facing experiences and Functions for event-driven processing. In this video, we'll see how combining the two creates a powerful architecture.

2. The challenge

Our company wants to build a smooth online shopping experience. Customers need an easy way to browse products and place orders, while the system must process those orders quickly and efficiently. To meet this goal, we'll combine two Azure services we've already seen: Web Apps and Functions.

3. The storefront

The Web App is the storefront - the part our customers will see and interact with. It delivers product pages, manages the shopping cart, and provides the "Place Order" functionality. The Web App ensures the user experience is fast and reliable, but it isn't designed to handle heavy back-end work.

4. The processing engine

When an order is submitted, work needs to happen behind the scenes. Inventory must be updated, records stored, and confirmation emails sent. This is where Functions step in. They run on demand, only when triggered, and scale automatically. For a business, that means handling busy shopping seasons without overpaying during quieter times.

5. Why split the work

Separating responsibilities makes the system more flexible. The Web App focuses on presenting information and receiving input. Functions take care of the processing logic. This division reduces complexity in the Web App and allows back-end tasks to evolve independently. For instance, we can update order processing logic without touching the storefront.

6. How the pieces work together

The flow looks like this: a customer places an order through the Web App. The Web App securely calls a Function, which processes the order and returns the result. To the customer, it feels instant. To the business, it's a clean, scalable workflow.

7. Use cases beyond orders

This pattern applies to more than retail. A Web App can serve as a front end for any system - an employee portal, a booking site, or a feedback form. Functions can handle the back-end work: validating data, triggering notifications, or automating reports. Together, they create a simple yet powerful architecture for many business scenarios.

8. The value of integration

By combining Web Apps and Functions, businesses gain speed, scalability, and flexibility. Customers enjoy a responsive front end, while the company benefits from back-end automation that adjusts to demand. This balance of simplicity and power makes the model attractive for modern cloud solutions.

9. Let's practice!

Now, let's connect a Web App with a Function and see how they work together in practice.

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