Updated July 2026

Azure Functions with Python

Class Duration

14 hours of live training delivered over 2 days.

Student Prerequisites

Some prior Python experience, such as writing basic scripts, functions, and classes
Professional programming experience, in Python or another language
Comfort with the command line and installing developer tools
No prior Azure Functions or serverless experience required

Target Audience

Experienced programmers with some Python experience who are new to Azure Functions
Teams adopting serverless Python on Azure who want a fast, practical ramp
For the AWS cloud instead, see AWS Lambda with Python

Description

This fast-paced, two-day course is built for experienced programmers who have some Python experience and are new to Azure Functions. The first part of the course consolidates the modern Python skills that serverless work relies on: its syntax and object model, environments and tooling, functions and type hints, working with data and JSON, and error handling, logging, and testing. Building on that foundation, the course moves to serverless development with Azure Functions using the Python v2 programming model: defining functions with decorators, wiring triggers and bindings such as HTTP, Timer, Blob, and Service Bus, developing and debugging locally with the Core Tools, deploying to Azure, and operating functions in production with Application Insights and performance tuning. Because participants already know how to program, the pace stays brisk and the focus stays on what is genuinely different about Python and about building on Azure Functions.

Learning Outcomes

Read and write idiomatic Python and apply its object model and core data types.
Set up Python environments and manage dependencies with modern tooling.
Use functions, modules, type hints, and dataclasses to structure Python code.
Work with JSON, files, and HTTP from Python.
Handle errors, add logging, and write unit tests with pytest.
Explain the Azure Functions hosting model, Python worker, and hosting plans.
Build Python functions with the v2 programming model and decorators.
Wire triggers and bindings such as HTTP, Timer, Blob, Queue, and Service Bus.
Develop and debug functions locally, then deploy them to Azure.
Operate functions with Application Insights logging, tracing, and performance tuning.

Training Materials

All students receive comprehensive courseware covering all topics in the course. Courseware is distributed via GitHub in the form of documentation and extensive code samples. Students practice the topics covered through challenging hands-on lab exercises.

Software Requirements

Students will need a free, personal GitHub account to access the courseware, a recent Python release, the ability to install Python packages, Visual Studio Code with the ability to install extensions, the Azure Functions Core Tools, the Azure CLI, and an Azure subscription with permission to create Function Apps and related resources.

Training Topics

Python for Experienced Programmers

Python syntax and semantics compared to other languages
Dynamic typing, names, and the object model
Core data types: lists, tuples, dictionaries, sets, and strings
Control flow, comprehensions, and iteration
Writing idiomatic, readable Python

Python Environments and Tooling

Installing Python and managing versions
Virtual environments and dependency management with uv and pip
Project layout and packaging basics
Formatting and linting with ruff
Running and debugging in Visual Studio Code

Functions, Modules, and Type Hints

Defining functions, arguments, and return values
Modules, packages, and imports
Type hints and static checking with mypy
Dataclasses and structured data
Docstrings and code organization

Working with Data and JSON

Dictionaries and JSON serialization
Reading and writing files
Parsing and validating input data
Dates, times, and environment variables
Making HTTP requests from Python

Errors, Logging, and Testing

Exceptions and error-handling patterns
The logging module and structured logs
Writing unit tests with pytest
Mocking external services
Practical debugging techniques

Introduction to Azure Functions and Serverless

What serverless computing is and when to use it
The Azure Functions hosting and execution model
Supported Python versions and the language worker
Hosting plans: Consumption, Premium, and Dedicated
Azure Functions within the Azure ecosystem

Building Functions with the v2 Model

The v2 programming model and function_app.py
Defining functions with decorators
Passing input and returning results
Application settings and configuration
Managing dependencies with requirements.txt

Triggers and Bindings

HTTP triggers and routing
Timer triggers for scheduled work
Blob and Queue storage bindings
Service Bus and Event Grid
Input and output bindings

Local Development and Deployment

The Azure Functions Core Tools and local runtime
Debugging locally in Visual Studio Code
Deploying with the Azure CLI and Visual Studio Code
Configuration and application settings in Azure
Infrastructure and configuration as code

Observability and Operations

Logging and Application Insights
Metrics and alerts
Distributed tracing
Error handling, retries, and poison messages
Cold starts, scaling, and performance tuning