Practice Test GeeksAWS Practice Test
← All AWS Flashcard Decks

Serverless Computing Flashcards

7 cards from real AWS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Serverless Computing flashcards as text

  1. What is the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM)?

    Answer: An open-source framework that extends CloudFormation with simplified serverless syntax

    AWS SAM is an open-source IaC framework that extends CloudFormation with shorthand resources (AWS::Serverless::Function, AWS::Serverless::Api) to simplify defining serverless applications.

  2. What is a Lambda layer?

    Answer: A ZIP archive containing shared libraries, runtimes, or dependencies used across functions

    A Lambda layer is a ZIP archive that can contain libraries, custom runtimes, configuration, or other dependencies that are mounted into the /opt directory and shared across multiple functions.

  3. What is the maximum number of Lambda layers that can be attached to a single Lambda function?

    Answer: 5

    A Lambda function can use up to 5 layers simultaneously, and the combined unzipped size of the function and all its layers must not exceed 250 MB.

  4. Which pattern routes messages from failed Lambda invocations to a separate SQS queue to prevent data loss when processing fails?

    Answer: Dead-letter queue (DLQ) pattern

    The dead-letter queue pattern sends unprocessed messages from failed Lambda invocations to a designated SQS (or SNS) DLQ, ensuring no messages are silently dropped.

  5. Which AWS service is the best choice for building managed GraphQL APIs backed by Lambda functions?

    Answer: AWS AppSync

    AWS AppSync is a managed GraphQL service that supports Lambda as a resolver data source, making it the purpose-built option for GraphQL APIs in a serverless architecture.

  6. When a Lambda function runs inside a VPC, what must be configured to allow it to access AWS services like S3 or DynamoDB without traversing the public internet?

    Answer: VPC endpoint (AWS PrivateLink)

    VPC endpoints powered by AWS PrivateLink enable Lambda functions inside a VPC to access AWS services privately without routing traffic through an internet gateway or NAT device.

  7. Which AWS Lambda feature allows you to run code before or after the Lambda runtime without modifying the function itself, useful for logging, tracing, or security agents?

    Answer: Lambda extensions

    Lambda extensions integrate external tools into the Lambda lifecycle—they can run alongside the runtime to handle logging, monitoring, or security tasks without changing function code.