Writing and Testing Precompiled Azure Functions in Visual Studio 2017
Azure Functions are reshaping how teams deploy serverless logic—but only if you can test them reliably before production. This course cuts through the noise and shows you how to write precompiled functions and validate them properly in Visual Studio 2017, eliminating deployment surprises.
AIU.ac Verdict: Ideal for .NET developers moving into serverless architecture or DevOps engineers managing Azure workloads who need hands-on testing confidence. The 2h 21m duration is lean, though you’ll want prior Visual Studio familiarity to extract full value.
What This Course Covers
You’ll work through the mechanics of creating precompiled Azure Functions within Visual Studio 2017’s native environment, covering project structure, bindings, and local debugging workflows. The course emphasises practical testing patterns—unit testing strategies, local emulation, and validation techniques that catch issues before cloud deployment. Expect real-world scenarios around HTTP triggers, queue-based functions, and integration points.
The hands-on labs embedded in Pluralsight’s sandbox environment let you execute code immediately without infrastructure setup. You’ll learn how precompiled functions differ from script-based alternatives, when to choose each approach, and how to structure projects for maintainability and testability across team environments.
Who Is This Course For?
Ideal for:
- .NET developers transitioning to serverless: You already know C# and Visual Studio; this bridges the gap to Azure Functions architecture and testing discipline.
- Azure DevOps engineers: You manage cloud deployments and need to understand function testing before CI/CD integration.
- Backend engineers building event-driven systems: You’re implementing queue triggers, timers, or HTTP endpoints and need confidence in local validation.
May not suit:
- Visual Studio beginners: The course assumes IDE fluency; you’ll struggle with navigation and debugging shortcuts.
- JavaScript/Python serverless developers: This is .NET-specific; Azure Functions in other runtimes follow different patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Writing and Testing Precompiled Azure Functions in Visual Studio 2017 take?
2 hours 21 minutes. Realistic for a focused technical skill; plan 3–4 hours if you pause for hands-on lab repetition.
Do I need Azure subscription credits to complete this course?
No. Pluralsight’s sandbox environment and Visual Studio 2017 local emulation cover all labs—no cloud charges.
Is Visual Studio 2017 still relevant in 2024?
The fundamentals transfer directly to Visual Studio 2022 and later. Function structure, testing patterns, and bindings remain consistent; UI details may differ slightly.
What testing frameworks does the course cover?
Expect xUnit or MSTest patterns for unit testing functions, plus local Azure Functions Core Tools emulation for integration validation.
Course by Jason Roberts on Pluralsight. Duration: 2h 21m. Last verified by AIU.ac: March 2026.
