Apache OpenWhisk
A production-ready, open-source serverless computing platform. I created OpenWhisk at IBM Research in 2015 and led its architecture, tooling, and runtimes through its public launch as IBM Cloud Functions, general availability, and acceptance into the Apache Software Foundation. OpenWhisk became the foundation for my startup Nimbella, and lives on today as DigitalOcean Functions, still in operation.
History
OpenWhisk began as an IBM Research initiative: a cloud-first, distributed, event-based programming service. I founded the effort and designed its core architecture from the ground up.
Publicly announced at IBM InterConnect in Las Vegas. Launched on Bluemix and GitHub under the Apache License 2.0. The name "Whisk" refers to moving nimbly and quickly: code executes, then resources are whisked away.
General availability on IBM Bluemix. Accepted as an Apache Software Foundation Incubator project.
Red Hat joined the project. Adobe I/O Runtime launched on OpenWhisk. IBM Cloud Functions became the production offering. Serverless composition tooling (Composer, Cloud Shell) released as technology previews.
Press at launch
Platform arrived "more fully baked" than competing services.
Described as "a shot across Amazon's bow."
IBM's work considered "worthy of attention."
Highlighted advantages over competing serverless platforms.
Positioned as a serious AWS Lambda alternative.
Emphasized serverless computing's transformative impact on IoT applications.
"Servers? We don't need no stinkin' servers."