System Design (1/1)
What is AWS Step Functions, and how does it work with Lambda?
    AWS Step Functions and Its Integration with Lambda

    AWS Step Functions is a serverless orchestration service that allows you to sequence AWS services, including Lambda functions, into workflows. These workflows are defined using Amazon States Language (ASL) in a JSON-based state machine. By integrating Lambda with Step Functions, developers can build complex applications with conditional logic, retries, parallel execution, and error handling, all without managing underlying infrastructure.

    How Step Functions Work with Lambda
    • Each state in the state machine can invoke a Lambda function.
    • You define input, output, transitions, and error handling for each state.
    • Step Functions automatically handle retries, timeouts, and failure paths.
    • Supports both Standard and Express workflows depending on use case.
    • Helps visualize and debug the flow of function executions.
    Use Cases for Step Functions with Lambda
    • Building multi-step business workflows like order processing.
    • Automating data processing pipelines with conditional steps.
    • Coordinating microservices in distributed systems.
    • Retrying failed operations with exponential backoff.
    • Handling human approvals or delays in automation flows.
    Example: State Definition to Invoke a Lambda Function