Hosting the code

Although there are several ways to host a custom code on Azure, the two most important building blocks are Websites and Cloud Services. The first is actually a PaaS built on top of the second (a PaaS too), using an open source engine named Project Kudu (refer to https://github.com/projectkudu/kudu). This is why we start by inspecting Cloud Services first.

Cloud Services

Cloud Services was the first Azure Service that came out in the early stages of the platform (in 2009). In this book, it is assumed that you are familiar with Azure Services; however, here is a quick recap of some of the key concepts when working with Cloud Services:

1. Write the application.
2. Wrap it in a specific artifact named Cloud Service.
   • Configure it with configuration files
3. Package the code and configuration with specific tools.
4. Upload to Azure and let it create the environment to run the application.

   Tip

   A complete guide on Cloud Services, including step-by-step examples, can be looked up in my other book...