Azure Functions get you beyond the traditional client/server approach to app creation, right into the cloud. Let’s first look at triggers.

There are direct bindings to key Azure services, simplifying building a Functions-based PaaS application or using a Function to control and trigger other Azure-hosted applications.

Two cloud development services -- Azure Functions and Azure App Service -- are now available on Azure Stack, which brings cloud functionality to on-premises, hybrid implementations.

One key Azure Functions feature is its portability, with the option of building Functions apps and a basic runtime in containers for deployment and testing.