97. Configuration for AWS Applications (Env vars, SSM, Secrets Manager, AppConfig)

Rev up your AWS know-how in this high-octane episode of AWS Bites Podcast, where we take you under the hood to fine-tune your AWS applications configuration! Kicking things off, we rev our engines and stress the vital role of slick configuration management in the world of cloud-based applications, leaving those old-school methods in the dust. Buckle up as we steer you through the twists and turns, starting with the straightforward horsepower of environment variables, giving you the lowdown on what fuels them and when to put the brakes on. We then shift gears to introduce AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store as a simple, yet effective solution that can provide you with all the torque you need. Secrets Manager rolls in next, guarding your valuable secrets with KMS encryption and IAM. The track leads to AppConfig, where they fine-tune your configuration game, ensuring smooth deployments and no pit stops for errors. For the daredevils out there, we open the toolbox and show you how to custom-build your own configuration engine, putting you in the driver's seat. Finally, we rev up the engine one last time and hit the gas with our recommendations, offering you a turbocharged approach to AWS configuration, tailored to your application's needs. So, tighten those bolts and get ready for a ride that'll leave your AWS configuration skills purring like a finely-tuned machine! 🚗💨🔧 💰 SPONSORS 💰 fourTheorem is the company that makes AWS Bites possible. If you are looking for a partner to accompany you on your cloud journey, check them out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fourtheorem.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

• The Twelve-factor app: https://12factor.net/
• AWS System Manager Parameter Store: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/userguide/systems-manager-parameter-store.html
• AWS Secrets Manager: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/secretsmanager/latest/userguide/intro.html
• AWS AppConfig: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/appconfig/latest/userguide/what-is-appconfig.html
• AWS Lambda Extension for SSM: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/userguide/ps-integration-lambda-extensions.html
• ssm-cache-python module: https://github.com/alexcasalboni/ssm-cache-python
• Eoin's article "3 Ways to read SSM Parameters": https://dev.to/eoinsha/3-ways-to-read-ssm-parameters-4555
• Middy middleware for SSM Parameters: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/ssm
• Beabetterdev: Deep dive into SSM Parameters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hstqmge71w
• Middy middleware for Secrets Manager: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/secrets-manager
• Beabetterdev: Deep dive into Secrets Manager: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwVWWn2ZKj0
• Middy middleware for AppConfig: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/appconfig
• Beabetterdev: Deep dive into App Config with a demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwEJxRiaLPo
• Middy middleware for pre-loading config from S3: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/s3
• Middy middleware for pre-loading config from DynamoDB: https://middy.js.org/docs/middlewares/dynamodb

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