GSP081

Overview

A cloud function is a piece of code that runs in response to an event, such as an HTTP request, a message from a messaging service, or a file upload. Cloud events are things that happen in your cloud environment. These might be things like changes to data in a database, files added to a storage system, or a new virtual machine instance being created.

Since cloud functions are event-driven, they only run when something happens. This makes them a good choice for tasks that need to be done quickly or that don't need to be running all the time.

For example, you can use a cloud function to:

• automatically generate thumbnails for images that are uploaded to Cloud Storage.
• send a notification to a user's phone when a new message is received in Cloud Pub/Sub.
• process data from a Cloud Firestore database and generate a report.

You can write your code in any language that supports Node.js, and you can deploy your code to the cloud with a few clicks. Once your cloud function is deployed, it will automatically start running in response to events.

This hands-on lab shows you how to create, deploy, and test a cloud function using the Google Cloud console.

What you'll do

• Create a cloud function
• Deploy and test the function
• View logs

Setup and requirements

Before you click the Start Lab button

Read these instructions. Labs are timed and you cannot pause them. The timer, which starts when you click Start Lab, shows how long Google Cloud resources will be made available to you.

This hands-on lab lets you do the lab activities yourself in a real cloud environment, not in a simulation or demo environment. It does so by giving you new, temporary credentials that you use to sign in and access Google Cloud for the duration of the lab.

To complete this lab, you need:

• Access to a standard internet browser (Chrome browser recommended).

Note: Use an Incognito or private browser window to run this lab. This prevents any conflicts between your personal account and the Student account, which may cause extra charges incurred to your personal account.

• Time to complete the lab---remember, once you start, you cannot pause a lab.

Note: If you already have your own personal Google Cloud account or project, do not use it for this lab to avoid extra charges to your account.

How to start your lab and sign in to the Google Cloud console

1. Click the Start Lab button. If you need to pay for the lab, a pop-up opens for you to select your payment method. On the left is the Lab Details panel with the following:

   • The Open Google Cloud console button
   • Time remaining
   • The temporary credentials that you must use for this lab
   • Other information, if needed, to step through this lab

2. Click Open Google Cloud console (or right-click and select Open Link in Incognito Window if you are running the Chrome browser).

   The lab spins up resources, and then opens another tab that shows the Sign in page.

   Tip: Arrange the tabs in separate windows, side-by-side.

   Note: If you see the Choose an account dialog, click Use Another Account.

3. If necessary, copy the Username below and paste it into the Sign in dialog.

   {{{user_0.username | "Username"}}}

   You can also find the Username in the Lab Details panel.

4. Click Next.

5. Copy the Password below and paste it into the Welcome dialog.

   {{{user_0.password | "Password"}}}

   You can also find the Password in the Lab Details panel.

6. Click Next.

   Important: You must use the credentials the lab provides you. Do not use your Google Cloud account credentials. Note: Using your own Google Cloud account for this lab may incur extra charges.

7. Click through the subsequent pages:

   • Accept the terms and conditions.
   • Do not add recovery options or two-factor authentication (because this is a temporary account).
   • Do not sign up for free trials.

After a few moments, the Google Cloud console opens in this tab.

Note: To view a menu with a list of Google Cloud products and services, click the Navigation menu at the top-left.

Task 1. Create a function

In this step, you're going to create a cloud function using the console.

1. In the console, click the Navigation menu () > Cloud Functions.

2. Click Create function.

3. In the Create function dialog, enter the following values:

Field	Value
Environment	2nd Gen
Function name	GCFunction
Region
Trigger type	HTTPS
Authentication	Allow unauthenticated invocations
Memory allocated (In Runtime, Build, Connections and Security Settings)	Keep it default
Autoscaling	Set the Maximum number of instance to 5 and then click Next

Note: A helpful popup may appear to validate the required APIs are enabled in the project. Click the ENABLE button when requested.

You deploy the function in the next section.

Task 2. Deploy the function

1. Still in the Create function dialog, in Source code for Inline editor use the default helloWorld function implementation already provided for index.js.

2. At the bottom, click Deploy to deploy the function.

3. After you click Deploy, the console redirects to the Cloud Functions Overview page.

Note:While the function is being deployed, the icon next to it is a small spinner. When it's deployed, the spinner is a green check mark.

Test completed task

Click Check my progress to verify your performed task. If you have completed the task successfully you will be granted an assessment score.

Deploy the function.

Task 3. Test the function

Test the deployed function.

1. In the Cloud Functions Overview page, click on GCFunction.

   

2. On function details dashboard, to test the function click on TESTING.

   

3. In the Triggering event field, enter the following text between the brackets {} and click Test the function.

   "message":"Hello World!"

In the Output field, you should see the message Success: Hello World!

In the Logs field, a status code of 200 indicates success. (It may take a minute for the logs to appear.)

Task 4. View logs

View logs from the Cloud Functions Overview page.

1. Click the blue arrow to go back to the Cloud Functions Overview page.

   

2. Display the menu for your function, and click View logs.

   

   Example of the log history that displays in Query results:

   

   Your application is deployed, tested, and you can view the logs.

   Test the function

Task 5. Test your understanding

Below are multiple-choice questions to reinforce your understanding of this lab's concepts. Answer them to the best of your abilities.

Congratulations!

You used the Google Cloud console to create, deploy, and test a cloud function.

Take your next lab

• This lab is also part of a series of labs called Qwik Starts. These labs are designed to give you a little taste of the many features available with Google Cloud. Search for "Qwik Starts" in Google Cloud Skill Bost to find the next lab you'd like to take!

• Now that you used the console to start a Google Cloud Function, try and compare starting a Cloud Function using the command line. See Cloud Functions: Qwik Start - Using the Command Line.

Next steps / Learn more

• For more information on creating triggers and associating them with your functions, see the Events and Triggers section of the Cloud Functions Guides.

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Manual Last Updated January 26, 2024

Lab Last Tested September 19, 2023

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