Create and Query a NoSQL Table with Amazon DynamoDB

Implementation

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• Create a NoSQL table

  In this step, you will use the DynamoDB console to create a table.
  

  a. In the DynamoDB console, choose Create table.
  

  

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  b. We will use a music library as our use case for this tutorial. In the Table name box, type Music.
  

  

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  c. The partition key is used to spread data across partitions for scalability. It’s important to choose an attribute with a wide range of values and that is likely to have evenly distributed access patterns. Type Artist in the Partition key box.

  d. Because each artist may write many songs, you can enable easy sorting with a sort key. Enter songTitle in the Sort key box.
  

  e. Next, you will enable DynamoDB auto scaling for your table.

  DynamoDB auto scaling will change the read and write capacity of your table based on request volume. Using an AWS Identity and Access Management (AWS IAM) role called DynamoDBAutoscaleRole, DynamoDB will manage the scaling process on your behalf. DynamoDB creates this role for you the first time you enable auto scaling in an account.

  To enable DynamoDB auto scaling for your table, select Customize settings.

  

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  f. Scroll down the screen past Secondary indexes, Estimated read/write capacity cost, Encryption at rest, and Tags to the Create table button. We won't change these settings for the tutorial.

  Now choose Create table.

  When the Music table is ready to use, it appears in the table list with a check box.
  

  Congratulations! You have created a NoSQL table using the DynamoDB console.

  

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• Add data to the NoSQL table

  In this step, you will add data to your new DynamoDB table.
  

  a. Select Explore items from the left menu, then select the radio button next to the Music table. Click the Create item button.

  

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  b. In the data entry window, type the following:

  • For the Artist attribute, type No One You Know.
  • For the songTitle attribute, type Call Me Today.

  Choose Create item.
  

  

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  c. Repeat the process to add a few more items to your Music table:
  

  • Artist: No One You Know; songTitle: My Dog Spot
  • Artist: No One You Know; songTitle: Somewhere Down The Road
  • Artist: The Acme Band; songTitle: Still in Love
  • Artist: The Acme Band; songTitle: Look Out, World
    

  

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• Query the NoSQL table

  In this step, you will search for data in the table using query operations. In DynamoDB, query operations are efficient and use keys to find data. Scan operations traverse the entire table.
  

  a. Select the arrow next to "Scan/Query items". Then select "Query".

  b. You can use the console to query the Music table in various ways. For your first query, do the following:
  In the Artist box, type No One You Know, and choose Run. All songs performed by No One You Know are displayed.
  

  

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  Try another query:
  

  • In the Artist box, type The Acme Band, and choose Run. All songs performed by The Acme Band are displayed.

  

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  c. Try another query, but this time narrow down the search results:

  • In the Artist box, type The Acme Band.
  • In the songTitle box, select Begins with from the dropdown list and type S.
  • Choose Run. Only "Still in Love" performed by The Acme Band is displayed.
    

  

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• Delete an existing item

  In this step, you will delete an item from your DynamoDB table.
  

  a. Change the Query dropdown list back to Scan.  

  Select the checkbox next to The Acme Band. In the Actions dropdown list, choose Delete items. You will be asked whether to delete the item. Choose Delete and your item is deleted.
  

  

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• Delete a NoSQL table

  In this step, you will delete your DynamoDB table.
  

  a. You can easily delete a table by using the DynamoDB console. It is a best practice to delete tables you are no longer using so that you don’t keep getting charged for them.

  • In the DynamoDB console, select the checkbox next to the Music table and then choose Delete.
  • In the confirmation dialog box, enter the text delete and choose Delete table.
    

  

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