Step Functions for workflows in AWS - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Step Functions for workflows

Start Execution

↓

State 1: Task or Choice

↓

State 2: Task or Choice

↓

State 3: Task or Choice

↓

Success or Failure

↓

End Execution

Step Functions run a series of steps (states) in order, moving from one task or decision to the next until the workflow finishes.

Execution Sample

AWS

{
  "StartAt": "Step1",
  "States": {
    "Step1": {"Type": "Task", "Next": "Step2"},
    "Step2": {"Type": "Task", "End": true}
  }
}

This workflow runs Step1, then Step2, then ends successfully.

Process Table

Step	Current State	Action	Next State	Status
1	Step1	Execute Task	Step2	Running
2	Step2	Execute Task	None	Success
3	End	Workflow ends	None	Completed

💡 Workflow ends after Step2 completes successfully.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step1	After Step2	Final
ExecutionStatus	NotStarted	Running	Running	Succeeded
CurrentState	None	Step1	Step2	End

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why does the workflow move from Step1 to Step2 automatically?

Because Step1's definition has "Next": "Step2", so after Step1 finishes, Step2 starts automatically (see execution_table step 1).

What happens if a state has "End": true?

The workflow stops after that state completes successfully, as shown in Step2 with "End": true (execution_table step 2).

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the Current State at Step 2?

A Step1

B End

C Step2

D None

💡 Hint

Check the 'Current State' column in execution_table row for Step 2.

At which step does the workflow end?

A Step 2

B Step 3

C Step 1

D It never ends

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Status' column and see when it says 'Completed' in execution_table.

If Step1 had no "Next" or "End" field, what would happen?

A Workflow would fail or stop at Step1

B Workflow would skip Step1

C Workflow would continue to Step2 automatically

D Workflow would loop back to Step1

💡 Hint

Step1 must specify where to go next or end, otherwise workflow cannot continue (see key_moments).

Concept Snapshot

Step Functions define workflows as states.
Each state runs a task or makes a choice.
Use "Next" to go to the next state.
Use "End": true to finish the workflow.
States run in order until success or failure.

Full Transcript

AWS Step Functions let you build workflows by defining states. Each state can be a task or a decision point. The workflow starts at the state named in StartAt. After a state finishes, it moves to the next state defined by the "Next" field. If a state has "End": true, the workflow stops after that state. This way, you can chain tasks step-by-step to automate processes. The execution table shows each step running in order until the workflow completes successfully.