Incorrect answer and explanation for duplicate message problem.

[KentStop]

Found an error in the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Practice Exams, specifically in Timed Mode Set 4.

But from AWS FAQs it states this…

https://aws.amazon.com/swf/<wbr>faqs/#:~:text=Amazon%20SWF%<wbr>20provides%20useful%<wbr>20guarantees,and%20is%<wbr>20assigned%20only%20once.

If this is a correct error, I think the problem and answer just needs to be updated to switch AWS Step Functions with Amazon Simple Workflow (SWF).

Please confirm.

Thank you!

[Neil-TutorialsDojo]

Hello KentStop,

Good day!

Thank you for posting here.

Regarding your concern about Amazon SWF, while it can handle complex workflows and ensure task uniqueness, it is an older service than Step Functions. As such, it might be more complicated to manage and integrate.

AWS Step Functions provides simplified workflow management, orchestration, and native integration with other AWS services. It also provides a visual interface for easier workflow design and debugging. The service provides guarantees around task assignment and prevents duplication in task processing.

Therefore, AWS Step Functions is preferable over Amazon SWF due to its modern design, ease of integration with AWS services, and built-in support for avoiding duplicate tasks.

I hope this clarifies your question. Thank you.

Regards,
Neil @ Tutorials Dojo

[KentStop]

Is the explanation to the solution wrong then since it doesn’t match with that AWS FAQs states?

[Tutorials-Dojo]

Hi KentStop,

We understand your point since Amazon SWF and AWS Step Functions both provide the capability to avoid duplicate processing.

However, keep in mind that even AWS itself explicitly recommends using AWS Step Functions over Amazon SWF. This is because of the high overhead of Amazon SWF since you’ll have to learn and incorporate the Java-based AWS Flow framework on your existing application plus creating a custom Decider program. The AWS Step Functions service also provides a lower operating cost since it’s a serverless service compared with Amazon SWF.

Please see this snippet from the official AWS FAQ page: https://aws.amazon.com/swf/faqs/#:~:text=AWS%20customers%20should%20consider%20using%20Step%20Functions%20for%20new%20applications.

Q: When should I use Amazon SWF vs. AWS Step Functions?

AWS Step Functions is a fully managed service that makes it easy to coordinate the components of distributed applications and microservices using visual workflows. Instead of writing a Decider program, you define state machines in JSON. AWS customers should consider using Step Functions for new applications. If Step Functions does not fit your needs, then you should consider Amazon Simple Workflow (SWF). Amazon SWF provides you complete control over your orchestration logic, but increases the complexity of developing applications. You may write decider programs in the programming language of your choice, or you may use the Flow framework to use programming constructs that structure asynchronous interactions for you. AWS will continue to provide the Amazon SWF service, Flow framework, and support all Amazon SWF customers.

Regards,

Tutorials Dojo Team