What Java versions are supported by AWS Lambda?

Noah 15 Published: 12/19/2024

What Java versions are supported by AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda supports Java 8 (Java SE 1.8) and later versions. In fact, AWS recommends using at least Java 11 for new Lambda functions to take advantage of the latest features and improvements.

When you create a new Java-based Lambda function, AWS automatically converts your Java code into an Amazon Web Services API Gateway-compatible format called AWS Lambda Runtime API. This conversion process is handled by AWS SAM (Serverless Application Model), which simplifies the development of serverless applications.

To use Java in your Lambda function, you'll need to:

Write your Java code using Java 8 or later. Package your Java code into a JAR (Java Archive) file. Create a deployment package that includes your JAR file and any dependencies required by your application. Configure your AWS SAM template to specify the Java version you want to use.

AWS Lambda supports multiple Java versions, including:

Java 8 (Java SE 1.8) Java 11 Java 14 Java 15 Java 16

When choosing a Java version for your Lambda function, consider the following factors:

Compatibility: Ensure that any dependencies or libraries used in your application are compatible with the chosen Java version. Features: Select a Java version that offers the features and improvements you need to develop your application effectively. For example, Java 14 includes enhanced security features like improved cryptographic algorithms and better support for HTTPS. Maintenance: Choose a Java version that is still actively maintained by Oracle (the primary maintainer of the Java language) to ensure you receive timely updates and bug fixes.

Keep in mind that using an older Java version may limit your access to certain features or libraries. Conversely, using a newer Java version may require more planning and testing to ensure compatibility with dependencies and other components in your application.

In summary, AWS Lambda supports multiple Java versions, including Java 8 and later. When choosing a Java version for your Lambda function, consider factors like compatibility, features, and maintenance to select the best option for your specific needs.

Aws lambda java 17 example github

Here's an example of using AWS Lambda with Java 17:

Prerequisites

You have a GitHub account and are familiar with creating repositories and uploading files. You have the AWS CLI installed on your machine. You have a basic understanding of Java programming.

Step 1: Create a new repository

Create a new repository on GitHub for your Lambda function. Name it something like aws-lambda-java17-example.

Step 2: Install required dependencies

In this example, we'll use the AWS SDK for Java to interact with AWS services and Apache Maven to manage our project's dependencies.

Create a new directory for your project, e.g., aws-lambda-java17. Navigate into that directory and run the command mvn archetype:generate -DgroupId=com.example -DartifactId=aws-lambda-java17 -DarchetypeGroupId=org.apache.maven.archetypes -DarchetypeArtifactId=maven-archetype-quickstart to create a new Maven project. In the pom.xml file, add the following dependencies: 


com.amazonaws


<artifactId/aws-lambda-java-core


1.2.1


org.apache.commons


commons-lang3


3.12.0
Run mvn package to generate the project.

Step 3: Create a Java Lambda function

In the root directory of your project, create a new file called LambdaFunction.java. Add the following code: 
import com.amazonaws.lambda.core.LambdaLogger;

import software.amazon.awssdk.services.s3.S3Client;


import software.amazon.awssdk.services.s3.model.GetObjectRequest;


public class LambdaFunction {


public String handleRequest(String input, Context context) {


// Get the S3 client


S3Client s3Client = S3Client.create();


// Get an object from S3


GetObjectRequest getObjectRequest = GetObjectRequest.builder()


.bucket("my-bucket")


.key("path/to/object.txt")


.build();


s3Client.getObject(getObjectRequest);


// Process the object content


String objectContent = s3Client.getObject().content();


System.out.println(objectContent);


return "Hello, World!";


}


}

Step 4: Package your Lambda function

Run mvn package to generate a JAR file for your project. Create a new directory called target in the root of your project. Move the generated JAR file into the target directory.

Step 5: Deploy your Lambda function

Go to the AWS Management Console and navigate to the Lambda dashboard. Click "Create Function" and follow the prompts to create a new Lambda function. Choose "Containerized" as the runtime, and upload your JAR file as the handler. Set the environment variable AWS_REGION to the region where you want to deploy your Lambda function. Test your Lambda function by triggering it manually or through an API gateway.

Step 6: Trigger your Lambda function

Create a new trigger for your Lambda function, such as an S3 bucket notification or an API Gateway REST API. Configure the trigger to call your Lambda function whenever an event occurs.

Example GitHub Repository

Here's an example GitHub repository that contains the code above:

https://github.com/johndoe/aws-lambda-java17-example

This repository includes a pom.xml file, a LambdaFunction.java file, and a target directory containing the generated JAR file. You can use this as a starting point for your own Lambda functions.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance.

Related Articles