AWS Step Functions is a web service that enables you to coordinate the components of distributed applications and microservices using visual workflows.

Step Functions manage the operations and underlying infrastructure for you to ensure your application is available at any scale.

In this lab, you will see what AWS Step Functions are and what types of problems this service is best suited to solve. By the end of this lab, you will have created a solution that combines Lambda and Step Functions for a fictitious gaming application.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what AWS Step Functions is and how to use AWS Step Functions
• Understand the different components of AWS Step Functions and how to configure AWS Step Functions
• Understand how to implement Parallel Steps, when to use them and why
• Understand the situations best suited to using Conditional Steps
• Make a State Machine log to the CloudWatch service
• Create and test a State Machine

Intended Audience

• Candidates for the AWS Developer Associate Exam
• Application developers interested in workflow orchestration for data processing, automating security tasks or even modernizing monolithic architectures

Prerequisites

• Knowledge of AWS Lambda
• Knowledge of DynamoDB

You can complete the Introduction to AWS Lambda and Introduction To DynamoDB labs to satisfy the prerequisites.

Updates

June 23rd, 2021 - Improved lab formatting and screenshots for an improved learning experience. Updated content to reflect the latest AWS Console experience.

March 11th, 2021 - Updated AWS Lambda instructions to reflect latest user interface updates

January 22nd, 2021 - Updated AWS Lambda lab steps to reflect latest user interface updates

March 16th, 2020 - Updated to reflect the latest AWS Console experience and added code syntax highlighting for improved readability

January 31th, 2019 - Updated all sections of the lab to the standard format of CloudAcademy's labs

January 10th, 2019 - Added a validation Lab Step to check the work you perform in the Lab