AWS Lambda vs InfluxDB: What are the differences?

Introduction:

AWS Lambda and InfluxDB are two distinct services offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). While AWS Lambda is a serverless computing platform, InfluxDB is a time series database designed for handling high volumes of time-stamped data. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Deployment Model: AWS Lambda follows a serverless deployment model, where the infrastructure management is abstracted away from the user. It allows developers to focus solely on writing the code and lets AWS handle the scaling and provisioning of resources. InfluxDB, on the other hand, requires the user to set up and manage their own infrastructure, providing more flexibility in terms of deployment options.

2. Computational Function: AWS Lambda is primarily designed to execute small, stateless functions in response to requests or events. It provides event-driven computing, meaning the functions are triggered by events such as changes in data or the occurrence of specific time intervals. InfluxDB, on the other hand, is not a computational function itself but rather a database that stores and retrieves time series data efficiently.

3. Scaling: AWS Lambda is highly scalable and can automatically scale the number of function instances based on the incoming load. This elasticity allows Lambda to handle varying volumes of requests efficiently. InfluxDB, however, requires manual setup and configuration of scaling mechanisms, making it less dynamic in terms of adapting to changing workloads.

4. Data Storage: AWS Lambda temporarily stores function-specific data in ephemeral storage for each execution and does not provide a persistent storage solution. InfluxDB, on the other hand, is designed specifically for time series data storage, offering efficient data compression and indexing methods for optimized storage and retrieval of time-tagged information.

5. Pricing Structure: AWS Lambda pricing is based on the number of requests made and the Compute Time consumed by the functions. InfluxDB, as an open-source database, offers both free and paid versions. The pricing for the paid version depends on factors such as the number of users, data retention policy, and available support options.

6. Use Cases: AWS Lambda is commonly used for building event-driven architectures, serverless applications, and microservices. It excels in scenarios where quick execution and automatic scaling are required, such as real-time data processing, IoT data ingestion, or web application backends. InfluxDB, on the other hand, is often used for time series data analysis, monitoring and observability, sensor data storage, and analytics platforms that deal with streaming or historical time-tagged data.

In Summary, AWS Lambda is a serverless computing platform that focuses on executing stateless functions in response to events, while InfluxDB is a time series database designed for efficient storage and retrieval of time-tagged data.