Item size limits and considerations in DynamoDB - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the maximum item size allowed in DynamoDB?

The maximum item size in DynamoDB is 400 KB, which includes all attribute names and values.

beginner

Why should you keep DynamoDB item sizes small?

Smaller item sizes improve read and write performance and reduce costs because DynamoDB charges based on data size and throughput.

beginner

What happens if you try to store an item larger than 400 KB in DynamoDB?

DynamoDB will reject the write request and return a ValidationException because the item exceeds the size limit.

intermediate

How can you handle large data that exceeds DynamoDB's item size limit?

You can split the data into multiple items or store large objects in Amazon S3 and save references in DynamoDB.

beginner

Does the 400 KB item size limit include attribute names or just values?

The 400 KB limit includes the total size of the item, which means both attribute names and attribute values count towards the limit.

What is the maximum size of a single item in DynamoDB?

A 10 MB

B 1 MB

C 100 KB

D 400 KB

DynamoDB limits each item to 400 KB including attribute names and values.

If your data exceeds DynamoDB's item size limit, what is a common solution?

A Increase the item size limit in settings

B Split data into multiple items or use Amazon S3 for large objects

C Compress the data inside the item

D Store data in a single attribute regardless of size

DynamoDB does not allow increasing item size limits; splitting data or using S3 is recommended.

Does the item size limit in DynamoDB include attribute names?

A Yes, attribute names and values count towards the limit

B No, only attribute values count

C Only primary key names count

D Only attribute names count

The total item size includes both attribute names and values.

What is a benefit of keeping DynamoDB item sizes small?

A More storage space per table

B Ability to store more attributes per item

C Improved performance and lower costs

D Faster table creation

Smaller items reduce read/write latency and cost because throughput is based on data size.

What error occurs if you try to write an item larger than 400 KB?

A ValidationException

B ProvisionedThroughputExceededException

C ResourceNotFoundException

D ConditionalCheckFailedException

DynamoDB returns a ValidationException when item size exceeds the limit.

Explain the item size limit in DynamoDB and why it matters.

Think about how size affects speed and billing.

Describe strategies to handle data larger than DynamoDB's item size limit.

Consider using other AWS services to complement DynamoDB.