• September 27, 2023
Explore how to efficiently set up cron jobs using AWS Lambda in TypeScript. Learn why Next.js isn't ideal for cron tasks and how AWS Lambda provides a robust, scalable solution
If you've stumbled upon this article, chances are you're familiar with the modern web framework, Next.js. However, while Next.js is fantastic for building user interfaces, when it comes to running scheduled tasks or cron jobs, we need to think outside the box. One such solution is AWS Lambda. Today, I'll guide you through setting up cron jobs using AWS Lambda, specifically using TypeScript.
Next.js is primarily designed for SSR (Server Side Rendering) and static site generation. While you could potentially set up cron jobs using Node.js with your Next.js app, you'd encounter a few hurdles:
Scalability: AWS Lambda automatically scales, handling each trigger individually.
Cost-Efficiency: You pay only for the compute time you consume. If your cron job runs for a short period, you pay for just that duration.
Maintenance: AWS provides monitoring tools like CloudWatch to monitor the execution of your Lambda functions.
Simplicity: Without the need for any server setup, you can focus on your code.
Before diving in, ensure you've:
import { APIGatewayProxyHandler } from 'aws-lambda';
import 'source-map-support/register';
export const hello: APIGatewayProxyHandler = async (event, _context) => {
// Your cron logic here
return {
statusCode: 200,
body: JSON.stringify({
message: 'Cron job executed successfully!',
}),
};
};To set up a cron schedule for your Lambda:
Lambda > Functions > Create function.Add trigger, and choose EventBridge (CloudWatch Events).cron(0 12 * * ? *) runs your Lambda every day at noon.For deployment:
Here's a basic script to aid deployment:
tsc
zip -r function.zip .
aws lambda update-function-code --function-name your-lambda-name --zip-file fileb://function.zipUsing AWS Lambda for cron jobs offers a plethora of advantages, from scalability to simplicity. Though Next.js is a powerful framework for UI rendering, AWS Lambda shines when it comes to backend operations like cron jobs. As you progress, you'll find this separation beneficial for both performance and maintainability.