Hello CloudMakers!

Today we shall see:

• Speed up AWS CloudFormation deployments

• Automatic Click-Tracking and Content Spotlights

• Auto-Generate OpenAPI Docs & CI/CD Protections

Enjoy!

How we sped up AWS CloudFormation deployments with optimistic stabilization

AWS CloudFormation has been known for being slow in provisioning resources compared to direct AWS CLI or Management Console deployments. This article explains the factors behind resource provisioning times in CloudFormation, particularly focusing on resource stabilization - ensuring resources are ready for use after creation. Importantly, it introduces a new "optimistic stabilization strategy" that speeds up CloudFormation deployments by up to 40%. This approach allows for parallel creation of dependent resources, significantly reducing deployment times. Additionally, CloudFormation now offers better visibility into the provisioning process with a new CONFIGURATION_COMPLETE status, indicating when a resource is created but still undergoing stabilization checks. This update represents a significant improvement in CloudFormation's efficiency and user feedback mechanisms.

How I Built Automatic Click-Tracking and Content Spotlights For My Website

In this article, Allen Helton decided to add click tracking to their newsletter for insights on popular articles, after learning about a fast, cost-effective redirect service using CloudFront and SST. This serverless service simplifies link shortening and tracking without needing multiple API calls or complex setups, utilizing Step Functions for process automation. Despite challenges with the Google Analytics API and SendGrid, this innovative approach successfully integrates with DynamoDB for detailed tracking and analysis. The project not only enhances newsletter management but also supports community engagement through spotlighting popular content and creators, demonstrating a creative application of serverless technologies to solve a practical problem in content distribution.

Auto-Generate OpenAPI Docs & CI/CD Protections

This article highlights the importance of integrating automatic OpenAPI documentation updates into the development workflow to ensure API documentation remains accurate and up-to-date with serverless API changes. By automating the documentation process, developers can avoid manual updates and ensure that any changes in the API are immediately reflected in the documentation. This approach not only saves time but also enhances customer satisfaction by providing reliable and current API documentation. Additionally, the article stresses the necessity of implementing checks within the CI/CD pipeline to maintain documentation integrity and prevent API-breaking changes, emphasizing a proactive approach to API management and documentation.

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