Amazon Web Services and Python team up to bring us “Elastic Beanstalk”
The Python programming language is known for its high level of functionality and readability across an almost endless set of potential situations. Likewise, Python is typically used to drive web apps or in software as a scripting language. Additionally, OS’s like OS X and Linux use Python, as does Youtube and Google. In fact, NASA and even CERN (large hadron collider) actually use Python as well. In other words, not only is this programming language extremely versatile and useful, but it’s already being employed by some of the most technologically advanced institutions on Earth. Amazon Web Services and Python
Given this realization, it should come as no surprise that Amazon and AWS might find a better use for Python in a cloud environment. Elastic Beanstalk is Amazon’s Python-driven one-size-fits-all app solution. In a nutshell, Elastic Beanstalk allows you to integrate, set up and manage apps in a much faster way with less technical interference. As they say “the devil is in the details” and that’s pretty much what E.B. deals with, all the details associated with app deployment: load balancing, capacity provisioning, application health monitoring and automatic-scaling. However, unlike some other solutions, this new approach still allows you to control and access the foundation resources.
Basically, whenever someone signs up for cloud computing services (through any vendor) they choose from a list of package options which include varying types of apps and services along with varying degrees of overall control. The great thing about Elastic Beanstalk is that you can easily take control over virtually every single aspect of what’s driving your application(s). So, even if you’ve already made choices with regards to how your AWS service package looks and functions, Elastic Beanstalk will allow you to delve deeper should you desire to do so.
This stunning development brings up an interesting point about where cloud computing might be headed. By introducing an element like Python programming to the equation, Amazon is placing quite a lot of power in the hands of its customers. While it’s true that a highly developed technical team that specializes in cloud technology will be able to accomplish great things where research is concerned, there are other contributing factors when it comes to development.
By integrating Python into AWS, Amazon is opening up its cloud services to a sort of “crowdsourcing” approach. This measure is going to produce customized approaches for certain situations or for specific cloud app builds. In other words, if they play/approach this the right way, we may begin seeing more highly functional and instantly customizable apps being offered on the commercial side.
Moreover, as more AWS clients begin developing improved versions of apps, perhaps Amazon and AWS might consider repurchasing their modifications back from them in order to make them available on a larger scale? Yes, it’s probably wishful thinking, but why not? If something like Elastic Beanstalk is capable of allowing individuals, groups or businesses to create a more personalized, efficient and practical cloud environment, why shouldn’t we explore making these customized improvements available to everyone?
Furthermore, this type of situation presents a big opportunity for participating businesses and AWS users as well; selling their customized builds as part of some type of licensing arrangement could prove to be very profitable and would only further drive advanced development in the cloud. Cloud security is one area in particular that would be able to greatly benefit from this type of approach, it’s one again, probably better to “crowdsource” security approaches from large numbers of technically capable businesses and institutions rather than relying solely on individual security specialists (although we certainly need them as well).
This highlights some very important concerns with regards to preparedness – which are cloud certification, training and education for your IT group or employees. IaaS specialist certification is also a very hot area for IT professionals to train in. Having personnel on hand that are familiar with these technologies is (arguably) the only way to ensure that you’re really using cloud computing in a safe manner and to its fullest extent.
All-in-all, Elastic Beanstalk is placing control back into the hands of businesses and customers. Now, any sized business can get direct access to the infrastructure of all their applications and perhaps even trim their (cloud) management budget in the process. In addition, Python is much easier to navigate and Java programmers should have no problem utilizing it via Elastic Beanstalk to manage apps.