Language Support in Azure Functions

Azure Functions supports a variety of programming languages, allowing you to build and deploy serverless applications using the language you're most comfortable with. This document outlines the supported languages, their current status, and best practices for development.

Supported Languages

The following languages are officially supported for developing Azure Functions:

C# F# Java JavaScript TypeScript PowerShell Python TypeScript Go (Preview) Rust (Preview)

Language Runtime Versions

Each language has specific runtime versions that are supported. It's recommended to use the latest stable versions for the best performance and security.

C#

  • .NET 8
  • .NET 6
  • .NET Framework 4.8

Node.js

  • Node.js 20 LTS
  • Node.js 18 LTS

Python

  • Python 3.12
  • Python 3.11
  • Python 3.10
  • Python 3.9

Java

  • Java 17
  • Java 11

For a complete and up-to-date list of supported runtime versions for all languages, please refer to the official Azure Functions runtime versions documentation.

Choosing the Right Language

The choice of language often depends on your existing skillset, project requirements, and the availability of specific libraries or frameworks.

Tip: Consider the performance characteristics of each language for your specific workload. For CPU-intensive tasks, compiled languages like C# or Java might offer better performance.

Development Considerations

When developing Azure Functions, keep the following in mind:

  • Dependencies: Ensure all your project dependencies are correctly managed using the language's package manager (e.g., NuGet for C#, pip for Python, npm for Node.js).
  • Local Development: Use the Azure Functions Core Tools for local development and testing. This provides a consistent environment that mimics the cloud.
  • Deployment: Functions can be deployed using various methods, including Azure CLI, Visual Studio, VS Code extensions, and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Triggers and Bindings: Understand how to use triggers (e.g., HTTP, Timer, Queue) and bindings (e.g., Cosmos DB, Blob Storage) to interact with other Azure services.

Note: Preview languages may not be fully supported and could be subject to change. Use them for evaluation and testing purposes.

Community Support and Custom Languages

While we support a broad range of languages, you can also run custom handlers for languages not listed here. This often involves creating a separate executable that listens for events from the Functions host.

For more details on specific language development and advanced features, explore the detailed documentation for each language.

Further Reading