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A Step Functions Task state calling DynamoDB GetItem returns null for an existing key. What is a likely cause?

medium📝 Debug Q7 of 15
DynamoDB - with Serverless
A Step Functions Task state calling DynamoDB GetItem returns null for an existing key. What is a likely cause?
AThe Task state is missing the ResultPath field
BThe DynamoDB table is empty
CThe Key attribute names or types do not exactly match the table's primary key
DThe Step Functions state machine is missing a StartAt field
Step-by-Step Solution
Solution:
  1. Step 1: Understand GetItem null result

    GetItem returns null if the key does not match any item exactly.
  2. Step 2: Analyze other options

    Table empty means no items; missing ResultPath or StartAt cause different errors, not null result.
  3. Final Answer:

    The Key attribute names or types do not exactly match the table's primary key -> Option C
  4. Quick Check:

    Null GetItem result = key mismatch [OK]
Quick Trick: Key names and types must exactly match DynamoDB primary key [OK]
Common Mistakes:
MISTAKES
  • Assuming missing ResultPath causes null
  • Ignoring case sensitivity in key names
  • Confusing state machine StartAt with DynamoDB keys

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