Mastering PaaS (Platform as a Service): Deploying Azure Web Apps with Command Line Wizardry
Tags: azure, cloud, cloudcomputing, cli
Published: 2023-08-31 09:40:57

## Introduction:

In the realm of cloud computing, Azure Web Apps stand as a beacon of innovation and efficiency. These powerful platforms breathe life into web applications, offering the perfect blend of scalability, reliability, and ease of management. Azure Web Apps, also known as Azure App Service, is a fully managed platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering by Microsoft Azure that allows developers to build, deploy, and scale web applications quickly and easily. 

It's designed to simplify the process of hosting web applications, APIs, and mobile app backends in the Azure cloud environment. It abstracts much of the infrastructure complexity, enabling developers to focus on building and deploying their applications efficiently while offering scalability, security, and integration with a variety of tools and services. But what if I told you that you can conjure up your very own Azure Web App using nothing but the command line? Prepare to be thrilled as we unveil the magical world of Azure Web Apps and embark on a journey to create one using the Azure CLI.

## Why Azure Web Apps?

Before we dive into the spellbinding art of creating Azure Web Apps through the CLI, let's unravel the secrets behind their allure:

**Cost-Effective Magic:** Azure Web Apps offer cost optimization through features like auto-scaling, serverless options, and pay-as-you-go pricing.

**No Server Sorcery:** Azure Web Apps falls under the PaaS category of cloud computing. PaaS abstracts much of the underlying infrastructure management, allowing developers to focus on writing code and deploying applications without dealing with the complexities of managing servers, operating systems, or networking.

**Support for Multiple Languages and Frameworks:** Azure Web Apps supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks, including .NET, Node.js, Python, Java, PHP, and Ruby. This flexibility allows developers to choose the tools and technologies they are most comfortable with.

**Easy Deployment:** Azure Web Apps offers various deployment options. You can deploy your web application from source control systems like GitHub, Azure DevOps, or Bitbucket. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines can be set up for automatic deployments, making it seamless to push updates to your app.

**Scalability:** You can easily scale your Azure Web App vertically (by upgrading the App Service Plan) or horizontally (by adjusting the number of instances). This ensures your application can handle varying levels of traffic and load.

**Integrated Development Tools:** Azure Web Apps provide integrated development tools and support for popular IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) such as Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code, making it convenient for developers to build and debug their applications.

**Custom Domains:** You can associate custom domains with your Azure Web App, allowing you to have a personalized and branded web presence.

**High Availability:** Azure Web Apps run on a scalable and highly available infrastructure, ensuring that your applications are accessible and performant even during traffic spikes or hardware failures.

**Security Features:** Azure Web Apps include security features like Web Application Firewall (WAF), SSL/TLS support, and integration with Azure Active Directory for identity and access management.

**Logging and Monitoring:** Azure Web Apps offer built-in logging and monitoring capabilities, allowing you to gain insights into your application's performance and troubleshoot issues effectively.

**Integration with Azure Services:** Azure Web Apps can easily integrate with other Azure services like Azure SQL Database, Azure Blob Storage, and Azure Functions to build comprehensive and scalable solutions.

## The Incantation: Creating an Azure Web App with CLI

## Step 1: Install Azure CLI

If you haven't already, install the Azure CLI by visiting this [link](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/install-azure-cli).

## Step 2: Log in to Azure

Open your command-line interface and execute the following command:

az login

![az login](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ovoxjur2b3lmcz64urjg.png)

Follow the prompts to log in to your Azure account.

![prompts](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/v1ib2fls5fuwhlkpze9z.png)

This is what you will see when you successfully log into the Azure CLI.

![Azure CLI](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/t8s5j6d0zhw549pynwk8.png)

## Step 3: Create the Web App

Now, let's weave our magic spell to create an Azure Web App. Replace the placeholders with your desired values:

Choose or create a resource group or use an existing one by entering this command:

az group create --name webapprg --location uksouth

![create](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/exguaen0j95764za0gtl.png)

Resource group 'webapprg' successfully created.

![create](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/5vycqyh64i8anku7qy7s.png)

Create an App Service Plan or use an existing one:

az appservice plan create --name AugustAppServicePlan --resource-group webapprg

![App Service Plan](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/c2lq3l1g4rrzxnzg2bdj.png)

Now create the webapp:

az webapp create --name Augustwebapp  --resource-group webapprg --plan AugustAppServicePlan

![webapp](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pryd9gvou77yffxzq088.png)

## Step 4: Access Your Enchanted Web App

The spell is complete! You've successfully created an Azure Web App. To access it, simply navigate to 

https://Augustwebapp.azurewebsites.net on your browser, replacing Augustwebapp with your app's name.

![Augustwebapp](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/07w2oda0aih8ift2lk31.png)


## Conclusion: Your Azure Web App Saga Begins

As you venture deeper into the mystical realm of Azure Web Apps, you'll uncover a world of limitless possibilities for your web projects. The Azure CLI serves as your trusty wand, allowing you to create, manage, and scale your web apps effortlessly. With Azure Web Apps, the digital canvas is yours to paint with boundless creativity and innovation.

So, prepare to be spellbound as you embark on your Azure Web App journey. With a flick of the CLI, your digital dreams are just a command away from becoming a reality. Let the enchantment begin!