Back in 2018, I shared several ways to implement fan-out/fan-in with Lambda. A lot has changed since, so let’s explore the solution space in 2024.
Remember, what’s “best” depends on your context. I will do my best to outline the trade-offs you should consider.
Step Functions lets you set a timeout on both Task states and the whole execution. By default, an execution can run for a year if TimeoutSeconds is not configured. To a user, the execution would appear as “stuck”. Which is why AWS best practices recommend using timeouts to avoid such scenarios. But once you have configured a timeout for the execution, it’s then important to consider what happens when you experience a timeout.
In this post, let’s explore 3 ways you can handle an execution timeout and use a Lambda function to perform automated remediation (e.g. applying rollbacks).
I’m a big fan of Step Functions, but it’s yet another AWS service you must learn and pay for.
It also introduces additional complexities. My application is harder to test; my business logic is split between configuration (ASL) and code; and I have new decision points, such as whether to use Express Workflows or Standard Workflows.
So it’s fair to ask, “Why should we even bother with Step Functions?”. Why not just do everything in code, inside a Lambda function?
Let’s break down the pros and cons and look at the trade-offs of each.
Step Functions’ state machines come in two flavours. By understanding their strengths and limitations, you can harness the combined power of both to optimize your processes for efficiency and cost. Standard Workflows Optimal for: Business-critical operations like payment processing. Strengths: Suitable for low-throughput scenarios. High maximum duration ensures enough time for retries using exponential backoff. …
Step Functions: combine Standard and Express workflows for fun & profit Read More »
It’s been a few years since I launched the “Complete Guide to AWS Step Functions” and “Learn you some Lambda best practice for great good!“. And given the diminishing value of these early courses I feel it’s only right that I stop charging for them. So from now on, you can sign up for these …
FREE online courses to learn Lambda and Step Functions Read More »
When I previously wrote about testing Step Functions, I gave you a general strategy that consists of: Component tests that target the Lambda functions (specifically, the custom code you wrote in those functions). End-to-end tests that execute the state machine in the cloud. Local tests using Step Functions Local where you can use mocks to …
Testing Step Functions: how to skip time when testing Timeout and Wait states Read More »
Testing Step Functions can be a daunting task. However, with a little preparation and effort, the testing process can be simplified and streamlined. In this article, we will provide a practical strategy on how to test Step Functions. So let’s start by setting the stage and introducing the players. What makes Step Functions hard to test? …
Choreography and Orchestration are two modes of interaction in a microservices architecture. In orchestration, there is a controller (the ‘orchestrator’) that controls the interaction between services. It dictates the control flow of the business logic and is responsible for making sure that everything happens on cue. This follows the request-response paradigm. In choreography, every service …
Choreography vs Orchestration in the land of serverless Read More »
First of all, I want to wish you all a merry Xmas and happy new year! And thank you for your readership and support over the years. Now that re:invent 2019 has come and gone, I have updated my course Complete Guide to Step Functions to include the latest announcements: Step Functions 101: added a lesson …
Complete Guide to Step Functions: new lessons and 50% off sale is now on Read More »
A client asked me the other day: “What happens to the running executions when I update a state machine?” Sadly, the answer is likely that existing executions would break if you have changed the input/output of the Lambda functions they call. The solution is to use specific versions or aliases of the functions instead. But …
How to do blue-green deployment for Step Functions Read More »
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