azure-functions-runtime

Create a fully-functional mini-application that integrates with Azure Functions using the 'azure-functions-runtime' package. This application will serve as a simple event-driven system that triggers actions based on HTTP requests and timer events. The goal is to demonstrate the power of serverless computing while leveraging the Azure Functions runtime for Python workers.

### Project Overview:
- **Name:** Event-Driven Notification System
- **Objective:** To develop a notification system that sends out emails based on both HTTP triggers and scheduled timers.

### Key Features:
1. **HTTP Trigger:** Users can send a POST request to the application which includes details about the email content and recipient. Upon receiving the request, the system should validate the input and send an email notification to the specified recipient.
2. **Timer Trigger:** The application should also have a feature that sends out a daily digest email summarizing recent events or updates. This timer-based trigger will run every day at a specific time.
3. **Logging:** Implement logging for all operations performed by the application to monitor its behavior and troubleshoot any issues.
4. **Error Handling:** Ensure robust error handling mechanisms are in place to manage any exceptions gracefully and provide meaningful error messages.
5. **Configuration Management:** Use environment variables to manage configuration settings such as SMTP credentials and timer schedules.

### Utilization of 'azure-functions-runtime':
- The 'azure-functions-runtime' package will be used to create and deploy the functions that handle HTTP and timer triggers. It enables Python workers to interact seamlessly with the Azure Functions runtime, allowing for easy deployment and management of these functions within the Azure ecosystem.
- For the HTTP trigger function, you'll use the package to define an HTTP-triggered function that listens for POST requests and processes them according to your logic.
- For the timer trigger function, you'll leverage the package to schedule a recurring task that executes daily at a specified time.

### Steps to Complete the Project:
1. Set up your development environment with the necessary tools and dependencies, including the 'azure-functions-runtime' package.
2. Define the structure of your application, including the HTTP and timer trigger functions.
3. Implement the functionality for each trigger, ensuring proper validation and error handling.
4. Configure the application to use environment variables for sensitive information like SMTP credentials.
5. Test your application thoroughly to ensure it works as expected under different scenarios.
6. Deploy your application to Azure Functions, making use of the Azure portal or Azure CLI for deployment.
7. Monitor the performance and logs of your deployed application to ensure stability and reliability.

This project not only showcases the capabilities of the 'azure-functions-runtime' package but also provides a practical example of building scalable and maintainable applications using Azure Functions.