tools-only AWS SDK for Java 2.x Developer Guide
Overview
The AWS SDK for Java 2.x provides a modern, type-safe API for AWS services. Built on Java 8+, it offers improved performance, better error handling, and enhanced security compared to v1.x.
Key Features
- Modern Architecture: Built on Java 8+ with reactive and async support
- Type Safety: Comprehensive type annotations and validation
- Performance Optimized: Connection pooling, async support, and SSL optimization
- Enhanced Security: Better credential management and security practices
- Extensive Coverage: Support for all AWS services with regular updates
Core Concepts
Service Clients
The primary interface for interacting with AWS services. All clients implement the SdkClient interface.
// S3Client example
S3Client s3 = S3Client.builder().region(Region.US_EAST_1).build();
Client Configuration
Configure behavior through builders supporting:
- Timeout settings
- HTTP client selection
- Authentication methods
- Monitoring and metrics
Credential Providers
Multiple authentication methods:
- Environment variables
- System properties
- Shared credential files
- IAM roles
- SSO integration
HTTP Clients
Choose from three HTTP implementations:
- Apache HttpClient (synchronous)
- Netty NIO Client (asynchronous)
- URL Connection Client (lightweight)
Migration from v1.x
The SDK 2.x is not backward compatible with v1.x. Key changes:
- Builder pattern for client creation
- Different package structure
- Enhanced error handling
- New credential system
- Improved resource management
Getting Started
Include the BOM (Bill of Materials) for version management:
<dependencyManagement>
<dependencies>
<dependency>
<groupId>software.amazon.awssdk</groupId>
<artifactId>bom</artifactId>
<version>2.25.0</version> // Use latest stable version
<type>pom</type>
<scope>import</scope>
</dependency>
</dependencies>
</dependencyManagement>
Add service-specific dependencies:
<dependencies>
<!-- S3 Service -->
<dependency>
<groupId>software.amazon.awssdk</groupId>
<artifactId>s3</artifactId>
</dependency>
<!-- Core SDK -->
<dependency>
<groupId>software.amazon.awssdk</groupId>
<artifactId>sdk-core</artifactId>
</dependency>
</dependencies>
Architecture Overview
AWS Service Client
├── Configuration Layer
│ ├── Client Override Configuration
│ └── HTTP Client Configuration
├── Authentication Layer
│ ├── Credential Providers
│ └── Security Context
├── Transport Layer
│ ├── HTTP Client (Apache/Netty/URLConn)
│ └── Connection Pool
└── Protocol Layer
├── Service Protocol Implementation
└── Error Handling
Service Discovery
The SDK automatically discovers and registers all available AWS services through service interfaces and paginators.
Available Services
All AWS services are available through dedicated client interfaces:
- S3 (Simple Storage Service)
- DynamoDB (NoSQL Database)
- Lambda (Serverless Functions)
- EC2 (Compute Cloud)
- RDS (Managed Databases)
- And 200+ other services
For a complete list, see the AWS Service documentation.
Support and Community
- GitHub Issues: Report bugs and request features
- AWS Amplify: For mobile app developers
- Migration Guide: Available for v1.x users
- Changelog: Track changes on GitHub