In AWS, exceptions are events that disrupt the normal flow of execution of a program. They typically occur when an operation fails because of unexpected conditions. The AWS SDKs aren’t just about providing a way to interact with AWS services. They also provide error handling functionalities, where exceptions play an integral part.
Common AWS SDKs Exceptions
Below are some common exceptions that AWS SDK might throw:
1. AmazonServiceException
This occurs when an AWS service call is successfully transmitted to the server, but the server can’t fulfill the request for some reason. The server then responds with a detailed error message. Here’s an example in Java:
try {
amazonS3Client.putObject(bucketName, key, filePath.toFile());
} catch (AmazonServiceException e) {
System.out.println(“Error Message: ” + e.getMessage());
}
2. AmazonClientException
This is a client-side error, usually thrown when there’s no network connection, incomplete request data, or invalid configuration in the client or caused by disruptions in communication with AWS services. Here’s an example:
try {
amazonS3Client.putObject(bucketName, key, filePath.toFile());
} catch (AmazonClientException e) {
System.out.println(“Error Message: ” + e.getMessage());
}
3. SdkClientException
This a subclass of the AmazonClientException, which represents any error that is occurred in the client code while trying to send a request, receive a response, or process a response from AWS Service.
try {
amazonS3Client.putObject(bucketName, key, filePath.toFile());
} catch (SdkClientException e) {
System.out.println(“Error Message: ” + e.getMessage());
}
4. NoSuchBucketException
This exception is thrown when the requested Bucket (S3) does not exist.
try {
amazonS3Client.getBucketAcl(bucketName);
} catch (NoSuchBucketException e) {
System.out.println(“Bucket does not exist: ” + e.getMessage());
}
Summarizing the Key Differences
Exception Name | Issue Origin |
---|---|
AmazonServiceException | Server Side |
AmazonClientException | Client Side |
SdkClientException | Client Side when Making Request or Processing Response |
NoSuchBucketException | Specific to S3 Service when Specific Bucket Doesn’t Exist |
Best Practices for Handling AWS Exceptions
It’s crucial to implement robust error and exception handling in your applications. Here are some best practices:
- Use a try-catch block to handle exceptions effectively.
- Differentiate between retryable and non-retryable exceptions. For retryable exceptions like service throttling, implement an exponential backoff and retry strategy.
- Always log the exception and necessary debugging information.
Understanding these exceptions can help developers determine why a request to AWS failed. Remember, proper error and exception handling is a critical aspect of building robust and reliable applications.
As you prepare for your AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam, being able to identify and handle these exceptions is key to demonstrating your competence in developing applications with AWS.
Practice Test
True or False: ProvisionedThroughputExceededException is a common exception generated by the AWS SDK when you make requests too quickly to a provisioned DynamoDB table.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: This exception is thrown by DynamoDB when you make too many read or write requests to a table that is provisioned.
Which of the following are common SDK exceptions in AWS? (Multiple Select)
- LimitExceededException
- InvalidAccessKeyIdException
- QueueDoesNotExistException
- None of the Above
Answer: LimitExceededException, InvalidAccessKeyIdException, QueueDoesNotExistException.
Explanation: All three are real AWS SDK exceptions. The first is generated when a resource limit is exceeded, the second when providing an incorrect access key, and the third when trying to access a nonexistent SQS queue.
True or False: NoSuchBucketException can be generated by AWS SDK for S
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: NoSuchBucketException is thrown when an operation is attempted on a nonexistent S3 bucket.
Which exception is thrown when a nonexistent table is attempted to access in DynamoDB?
- ResourceNotFoundException
- NoSuchBucketException
- NoTableFoundException
- None of the Above
Answer: ResourceNotFoundException
Explanation: ResourceNotFoundException is generated by AWS SDK when access is attempted on nonexistent resources like DynamoDB tables.
What does the “AccessDeniedException” indicate in AWS SDK?
- Access to a particular resource has been denied.
- A resource limit has been exceeded.
- Access key provided is invalid.
- None of the Above
Answer: Access to a particular resource has been denied.
Explanation: AccessDeniedException is generated when an operation does not have the necessary permissions.
True or False: InvalidParameterValueException is generated by AWS SDK when the provided parameter value is not valid.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: InvalidParameterValueException is thrown when an invalid value for a parameter is provided.
Which status code points to ThrottlingException in AWS SDK?
- 404
- 408
- 400
- 429
Answer: 429
Explanation: 429 status code is returned when ThrottlingException is thrown, meaning too many requests have been sent in a short amount of time.
True or False: AWS SDK throws InternalFailureException when AWS is having trouble processing the request internally.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: InternalFailureException is thrown when AWS is having an internal problem processing the request.
Which of the following exceptions is related to AWS SDK for SNS (Simple Notification Service)?
- NotFoundException
- SubscriptionLimitExceededException
- MessageInvalidException
- All of the Above
Answer: All of the Above
Explanation: These are all common exceptions that can be generated when interacting with the AWS SNS service through the AWS SDK.
True or False: InvalidChangeBatchException is an exception related to AWS SDK for Route
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: This exception is typically thrown by the Route 53 service when there is an issue with a request to change DNS records.
Interview Questions
What is an SDK in the context of AWS?
SDK stands for Software Development Kit. It includes a set of tools, libraries, relevant documentations, code samples, processes, and guides that allow developers to create software applications on specific platforms such as AWS.
What might cause an AmazonServiceException exception to be thrown by AWS SDKs?
An AmazonServiceException exception might be thrown when AWS is unable to successfully process a request. Reasons could include request rates exceeding a maximum allowed threshold, invalid request parameters, or service-side failures.
What is the AWS SDK for JavaScript used for?
The AWS SDK for JavaScript allows developers to build libraries and applications that use AWS services such as Amazon S3, AWS Lambda, and Amazon DynamoDB. You can use the JavaScript API in the browser and inside Node.js applications on the server.
What is an example of an exception generated by AWS SDKs?
“InvalidParameterException” is an example of an exception. It is thrown when the parameters passed to the AWS service are invalid or null.
In AWS SDKs, what is the significance of an InterruptedException?
An InterruptedException is thrown when a thread is interrupted that is processing a request. In AWS SDK, it’s usually used in tasks that are subjected to cancellation.
What is the AWS SDK for Python used for?
The AWS SDK for Python, known as Boto3, allows developers to write software that makes use of AWS services like Amazon S3 and Amazon EC2. Boto3 makes it easy to integrate applications, libraries and scripts with AWS services.
What does the SDKOperationTimeoutException represent in AWS SDKs?
The SDKOperationTimeoutException represents an error that is thrown when a requested operation is not completed within a stipulated time frame, normally as defined by SDK client configuration.
How does AWS SDK translate errors that occur within a service operation?
AWS SDK translates any error that occurs within a service operation into an instance of an exception class. This class extends from the AmazonServiceException or the AmazonClientException class.
What does the AmazonClientException indicate in AWS SDKs?
AmazonClientException indicates any issue that might have occurred in the client side, such as network connectivity issues, problem with client configuration, or issues with the client’s request.
Can service exceptions be retried in AWS SDK?
Yes. Certain service exceptions are often temporary and can be retried. AmazonServiceException has a isRetryable method that can be used to handle retry logic.
What does the SdkClientException indicate in AWS SDK?
SdkClientException extends from AWS SDK’s AmazonClientException and indicates errors that are not related to interaction with AWS services. They are often caused by issues in the client’s local environment.
How can we handle exceptions in the AWS SDK for Java?
Exceptions in the AWS SDK for Java can be handled using try, catch, and finally blocks. We should catch the AmazonClientException and AmazonServiceException classes for a wide catch, or catch the more specific exceptions for finer control.