What is a potential consequence of cold starts in AWS Lambda?

The potential consequence of cold starts in AWS Lambda is delayed execution of functions. When a Lambda function is invoked for the first time or after a period of inactivity, it undergoes a cold start. This entails initializing a new execution environment which includes provisioning the necessary resources, downloading the code, and initializing any dependencies. During this setup process, there is an inherent latency that can lead to a delay in the function's execution. This latency can impact performance, particularly in applications that demand low response times.

Understanding cold starts is crucial for developers using AWS Lambda, especially in latency-sensitive applications. While other options may relate to aspects of performance or costs, the direct consequence of a cold start phenomenon is specifically the delay experienced when functions are executed for the first time after being idle.