How to use Redis in an Azure Function

Quick explanation of how to use Redis and, specifically, the StackExchange.Redis package in an Azure Function.

Assumption

I’m going to assume you have a Redis cache. Make sure to have the connection string handy. We will need it shortly. It should look something like this

mycats.redis.cache.windows.net:6380,password==,ssl=True,abortConnect=False

Add a project.json

• Select your function
• Click View Files
• Click Add
• Type project.json

This is what you need to enter in your project.json. Note that the version may be different in the future (it was current when I wrote this).

Once done, make sure to click Save

ddd

Add the Connection String

You could put your connection string in code but you can store it centrally, as you normally do with an Azure Web App.

• In the list of functions, click the topmost element
• Click Platform features
• Click Application settings
• A blade will pop up on the right. Scroll down and, under Connection strings, enter
  • A name for your connection string i.e. mycats
  • Enter the connection string
  • Where it says SQL Database, select Custom
  • Press Save

Putting it Together

In your .csx file, you need to:

• Add a using StackExchange.Redis statement
• Access the connection string
• Create a connection multiplexer using your connection string
• The rest is up to you!

Here’s the start of some of some code. Doesn’t do anything; it’s just some sample code I grabbed but checkout Lines 2, 9 and 10, which I added.

If you have any questions on how to do something with StackExchange.Redis, checkout the docs.