Forum Discussion
Runtime installations on Azure Functions
We have a serverless requirement to run an ETL tool jobs from Azure Functions. The run time utility package for the ETL tool, would need to be installed on the azure functions, so it can run those utility tasks when invoked. Is there a standard way of installing a utility package every time the azure function is invoked?
Note the azure function would be in python and python does not have an existing package to run informatica jobs.
1 Reply
May considering this:
Bundle the Utility with Your Function
• Place the runtime binaries/scripts in your function app’s file system (e.g., under function_app/tools/).
• Reference them directly in your Python code.
• Works if the utility is lightweight and doesn’t require complex installation.
2. Use Azure Functions Custom Handlers / Extensions
• If the ETL runtime is not Python native, you can wrap it with a custom handler (essentially a process your function triggers).
• This allows you to call external executables packaged with your function.
3. Leverage Azure Functions Premium Plan with Docker
• Package the ETL runtime inside a custom Docker image.
• Deploy your function app using that image.
• This is the most robust way to ensure the runtime is always present, since the container image defines the environment.
4. Call Out to Informatica Cloud / External Service
• Instead of installing the runtime locally, invoke Informatica jobs via their REST API or SDK.
• This avoids the need to embed the runtime in Azure Functions at all.
• Often the recommended approach for serverless, since it keeps the function lightweight.
