AWS CodePipeline for Java Project Deployment with CloudFormation Stacks: Best Practices

Implementing a Visualized State Machine for AWS CodePipeline Deployment

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Question

A DevOps engineer is building up a pipeline for a Java project which is under development.

AWS CodePipeline service has been chosen as the CI/CD tool.

For the service deployment phase, CloudFormation stacks are used.

However, there are several situations to be considered.

For example, (i) stack should be created if a stack does not exist, (ii) Change Set should be created and inspected if a stack already exists.

The team lead prefers to implement a visualized state machine for the deployment and each state executes a Lambda function.

What is the best way to achieve this requirement?

Answers

Explanations

Click on the arrows to vote for the correct answer

A. B. C. D.

Correct Answer - C.

A visualized state machine is required in this question.

AWS Step Functions is the best tool to achieve this.

About how to integrate with AWS CodePipeline for AWS Step Functions, check this document in.

https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/devops/using-aws-step-functions-state-machines-to-handle-workflow-driven-aws-codepipeline-actions/.

Option A is incorrect: Because SQS is not ideal for implementing a state machine.

It also cannot provide a native visualized status as Step Functions.

Option B is incorrect: Similar reason as.

Option A.Option C is CORRECT: Because AWS Step Functions makes it easy for users to understand which tasks have been executed and why a state has been reached.

It also can interact with Lambda and inform AWS CodePipeline of its status.

Option D is incorrect: Because AWS MQ service is a service for ActiveMQ that can set up and operate message brokers in AWS.

It is not an ideal tool to achieve a work-flow driven state machine.

The best way to achieve the requirement of implementing a visualized state machine for the deployment of a Java project using AWS CodePipeline and CloudFormation stacks is option C - use a Lambda Function to interface with an AWS Step Functions.

AWS CodePipeline is a fully managed continuous delivery service that helps build, test, and deploy code changes continuously. It allows you to build, test, and deploy your code every time there is a code change, based on the release process models you define.

CloudFormation is a service that helps you model and set up your Amazon Web Services resources so that you can spend less time managing those resources and more time focusing on your applications that run in AWS.

AWS Step Functions is a fully managed service that makes it easy to coordinate the components of distributed applications and microservices using visual workflows. Building applications from individual components that each perform a discrete function lets you scale and change applications quickly.

Option A is not the best solution because it involves establishing several SQS queues, which could introduce complexity and increase the time it takes to process messages. Additionally, the solution requires a dedicated Lambda function to return the final result to CodePipeline.

Option B is not the best solution because it involves using a Python script in EC2 to record the running status and achieve the state machine feature. This solution requires the use of an EC2 instance, which introduces more operational overhead and complexity.

Option D is not the best solution because it involves using a shell script in EC2 to interface with the AWS MQ service, which introduces more complexity and operational overhead. Additionally, AWS MQ is not designed for this specific use case.

Option C is the best solution because it involves using a Lambda Function to interface with AWS Step Functions, which is designed for building state machines. AWS Step Functions provides a visual workflow designer that makes it easy to create and manage workflows for deploying CloudFormation stacks. With this solution, the Lambda Function returns the execution status back to CodePipeline, which simplifies the overall architecture of the system.

In summary, the best way to achieve the requirement of implementing a visualized state machine for the deployment of a Java project using AWS CodePipeline and CloudFormation stacks is to use a Lambda Function to interface with AWS Step Functions.