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DynamoDBquery~5 mins

AWS CLI for DynamoDB

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Introduction

AWS CLI lets you control DynamoDB using simple commands in your terminal. It helps you create, read, update, and delete data without using a web console.

You want to quickly add or get data from DynamoDB without writing code.
You need to automate database tasks in scripts or batch jobs.
You want to check or change your DynamoDB tables from your computer.
You are learning DynamoDB and want to try commands step-by-step.
You want to manage DynamoDB in environments without a graphical interface.
Syntax
DynamoDB
aws dynamodb <command> [options]

<command> is the action you want, like create-table or put-item.

[options] are extra details like table name or item data.

Examples
This command creates a table named MyTable with a string key called Id.
DynamoDB
aws dynamodb create-table --table-name MyTable --attribute-definitions AttributeName=Id,AttributeType=S --key-schema AttributeName=Id,KeyType=HASH --provisioned-throughput ReadCapacityUnits=5,WriteCapacityUnits=5
This adds an item with Id 123 and Name Alice to MyTable.
DynamoDB
aws dynamodb put-item --table-name MyTable --item '{"Id": {"S": "123"}, "Name": {"S": "Alice"}}'
This fetches the item with Id 123 from MyTable.
DynamoDB
aws dynamodb get-item --table-name MyTable --key '{"Id": {"S": "123"}}'
Sample Program

This sequence creates a Students table with StudentId as the key, adds one student named John aged 21, then retrieves John's record.

DynamoDB
aws dynamodb create-table --table-name Students --attribute-definitions AttributeName=StudentId,AttributeType=S --key-schema AttributeName=StudentId,KeyType=HASH --provisioned-throughput ReadCapacityUnits=1,WriteCapacityUnits=1

aws dynamodb put-item --table-name Students --item '{"StudentId": {"S": "S001"}, "Name": {"S": "John"}, "Age": {"N": "21"}}'

aws dynamodb get-item --table-name Students --key '{"StudentId": {"S": "S001"}}'
OutputSuccess
Important Notes

Make sure AWS CLI is installed and configured with your AWS credentials before running commands.

JSON data for items must use DynamoDB data types like S for string and N for number.

Provisioned throughput settings control how much read/write capacity your table has.

Summary

AWS CLI lets you manage DynamoDB tables and data using simple terminal commands.

You can create tables, add items, and get items easily with the right commands.

Always format your data correctly and configure AWS CLI before use.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What does the AWS CLI command aws dynamodb list-tables do?
easy
A. It shows all DynamoDB tables in your AWS account and region.
B. It deletes all DynamoDB tables in your AWS account.
C. It creates a new DynamoDB table.
D. It updates the items in a DynamoDB table.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the command purpose

    The command aws dynamodb list-tables is designed to list existing tables, not modify or delete them.

  2. Step 2: Match command to action

    Listing tables means showing all table names in your current AWS region and account.

  3. Final Answer:

    It shows all DynamoDB tables in your AWS account and region. -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    List tables = Show tables [OK]
Hint: List tables command always shows existing tables [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing list-tables with delete-table
  • Thinking it creates or updates tables
  • Assuming it shows table data instead of names
2. Which AWS CLI command syntax correctly adds an item to a DynamoDB table named Books with a primary key ISBN and a title attribute?
easy
A. aws dynamodb add-item --table Books --item '{ISBN: 12345, Title: Cloud Basics}'
B. aws dynamodb put-item --table-name Books --item '{"ISBN": {"S": "12345"}, "Title": {"S": "Cloud Basics"}}'
C. aws dynamodb insert-item --table-name Books --item '{"ISBN": "12345", "Title": "Cloud Basics"}'
D. aws dynamodb put-item --table Books --data '{"ISBN": "12345", "Title": "Cloud Basics"}'

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify correct command and parameters

    The correct command to add an item is put-item with --table-name and --item parameters.

  2. Step 2: Check JSON format for item

    The item must be a JSON string with attribute names and types, e.g., {"ISBN": {"S": "12345"}} where "S" means string type.

  3. Final Answer:

    aws dynamodb put-item --table-name Books --item '{"ISBN": {"S": "12345"}, "Title": {"S": "Cloud Basics"}}' -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Put-item + correct JSON format = aws dynamodb put-item --table-name Books --item '{"ISBN": {"S": "12345"}, "Title": {"S": "Cloud Basics"}}' [OK]
Hint: Use put-item with --item JSON including data types [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using wrong command like add-item or insert-item
  • Missing data types in JSON attributes
  • Using --table instead of --table-name
3. What will be the output of this AWS CLI command?
aws dynamodb get-item --table-name Users --key '{"UserId": {"S": "user123"}}' --projection-expression "Name, Age"

Assuming the table has an item with UserId 'user123', Name 'Alice', Age 30, and Email 'alice@example.com'.
medium
A. Returns only the Email attribute.
B. Returns all attributes including Email.
C. Returns an error because projection-expression is invalid.
D. Returns only the Name and Age attributes of the item.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand get-item with projection-expression

    The --projection-expression limits returned attributes to those listed, here "Name, Age".

  2. Step 2: Check expected output

    Since Email is not in projection-expression, it will not be returned. Only Name and Age appear.

  3. Final Answer:

    Returns only the Name and Age attributes of the item. -> Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    Projection-expression filters attributes = Returns only the Name and Age attributes of the item. [OK]
Hint: Projection-expression returns only listed attributes [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Assuming all attributes return by default
  • Thinking projection-expression causes error
  • Confusing projection-expression with filter-expression
4. You run this command but get an error:
aws dynamodb put-item --table-name Products --item '{"ProductId": "123", "Name": "Pen"}'

What is the likely cause of the error?
medium
A. The item JSON is missing data types for attributes.
B. The table name is incorrect.
C. The AWS CLI is not installed.
D. The command should use --update-item instead of --put-item.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Check item JSON format requirements

    DynamoDB requires attribute values to specify data types, e.g., {"S": "123"} for string.

  2. Step 2: Identify missing data types in JSON

    The command uses plain strings without data types, causing a syntax error.

  3. Final Answer:

    The item JSON is missing data types for attributes. -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Missing data types in item JSON causes error [OK]
Hint: Always include data types like {"S": "value"} in item JSON [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Ignoring data type syntax in item JSON
  • Assuming --put-item is invalid command
  • Not verifying table name correctness
5. You want to create a DynamoDB table named Orders with a primary key OrderId (string) and a sort key OrderDate (string). Which AWS CLI command is correct?
hard
A. aws dynamodb create-table --table-name Orders --attribute-definitions OrderId=S OrderDate=S --key-schema OrderId=HASH OrderDate=RANGE --provisioned-throughput Read=5,Write=5
B. aws dynamodb create-table --table Orders --attributes OrderId=S,OrderDate=S --keys OrderId=HASH,OrderDate=RANGE --throughput 5 5
C. aws dynamodb create-table --table-name Orders --attribute-definitions AttributeName=OrderId,AttributeType=S AttributeName=OrderDate,AttributeType=S --key-schema AttributeName=OrderId,KeyType=HASH AttributeName=OrderDate,KeyType=RANGE --provisioned-throughput ReadCapacityUnits=5,WriteCapacityUnits=5
D. aws dynamodb create-table --table-name Orders --attributes OrderId S OrderDate S --key-schema OrderId HASH OrderDate RANGE --capacity 5 5

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify correct command syntax for create-table

    The correct syntax uses --attribute-definitions with AttributeName and AttributeType, and --key-schema with AttributeName and KeyType (HASH for partition key, RANGE for sort key).

  2. Step 2: Check provisioned throughput format

    Provisioned throughput requires ReadCapacityUnits and WriteCapacityUnits with numeric values.

  3. Final Answer:

    aws dynamodb create-table --table-name Orders --attribute-definitions AttributeName=OrderId,AttributeType=S AttributeName=OrderDate,AttributeType=S --key-schema AttributeName=OrderId,KeyType=HASH AttributeName=OrderDate,KeyType=RANGE --provisioned-throughput ReadCapacityUnits=5,WriteCapacityUnits=5 -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Create-table syntax with attribute-definitions and key-schema = aws dynamodb create-table --table-name Orders --attribute-definitions AttributeName=OrderId,AttributeType=S AttributeName=OrderDate,AttributeType=S --key-schema AttributeName=OrderId,KeyType=HASH AttributeName=OrderDate,KeyType=RANGE --provisioned-throughput ReadCapacityUnits=5,WriteCapacityUnits=5 [OK]
Hint: Use --attribute-definitions and --key-schema with correct keys [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Using wrong flags like --table or --attributes
  • Incorrect key schema format
  • Wrong provisioned throughput parameter names