How to access running executable with function app

Question

I'm relatively new to Azure and I'm trying to figure out how to implement the setup I need.

I have a static web app with a custom function app for its API, and the function app makes use of a DLL from another of our applications. However, the DLL requires that application to be installed and running.

How/Where can I install and run this application where my function app can see it and make use of the DLL? Do I need to use a VM that both the executable and the function app can live on? Can a function app be run from a custom VM?

Any advice is appreciated.

Answer 1

If your dependency needs a full installation then a VM will likely be the simplest option.

Another option could be containerisation; Assuming the application is a windows app, I'd suggest looking at Web App for Containers.
This provides more flexibility around the environment for your API.

Eg, in your Dockerfile - you can initiate a silent install of an application with PowerShell.

SHELL ["powershell"]
RUN powershell $ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'; Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://aka.ms/installazurecliwindows -OutFile .\AzureCLI.msi; Start-Process msiexec.exe -Wait -ArgumentList '/I AzureCLI.msi /quiet'; rm .\AzureCLI.msi