Lambda with DynamoDB Streams in AWS - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is AWS Lambda in simple terms?

AWS Lambda is a service that runs your code automatically when something happens, without you needing to manage servers.

beginner

What is DynamoDB Streams?

DynamoDB Streams captures changes (like adds, updates, deletes) in a DynamoDB table and lets other services react to those changes.

intermediate

How does Lambda work with DynamoDB Streams?

Lambda listens to the stream of changes from DynamoDB and runs your code automatically for each change, like a helper reacting to updates.

intermediate

Why use Lambda with DynamoDB Streams?

It helps automate tasks like sending notifications or updating other systems whenever your database changes, without manual work.

advanced

What is a best practice when configuring Lambda with DynamoDB Streams?

Set the batch size to control how many records Lambda processes at once and handle errors to avoid losing data.

What triggers an AWS Lambda function when using DynamoDB Streams?

A Changes in the DynamoDB table

B Manual button press

C Scheduled time only

D User login event

Lambda is triggered automatically by changes (inserts, updates, deletes) in the DynamoDB table via Streams.

What type of data does DynamoDB Streams provide to Lambda?

A User credentials

B Full database backup

C A list of changed records

D Server logs

DynamoDB Streams sends a list of records that changed, so Lambda can process each change.

Which Lambda setting controls how many stream records are processed at once?

A Timeout

B Batch size

C Memory size

D Runtime version

Batch size defines how many records Lambda reads from the stream in one go.

What happens if Lambda fails to process a DynamoDB Stream record?

A The database rolls back changes

B The record is deleted immediately

C Lambda shuts down permanently

D The record can be retried or sent to a dead-letter queue

Failed records can be retried or sent to a dead-letter queue for later inspection.

Why is using Lambda with DynamoDB Streams considered event-driven architecture?

A Because Lambda reacts automatically to database events

B Because it uses scheduled tasks

C Because it requires manual triggers

D Because it stores data permanently

Event-driven means actions happen automatically when events (like data changes) occur.

Explain how AWS Lambda and DynamoDB Streams work together to automate tasks.

Think about how a helper reacts when something changes in your database.

Describe best practices for configuring Lambda functions that process DynamoDB Streams.

Consider how to keep your automation reliable and efficient.