AWS SDK for Java FAQs

Overview

Q: What is the AWS SDK for Java?

The AWS SDK for Java is a single, downloadable package that includes the AWS Java library, code samples, and documentation. The AWS SDK for Java makes it even easier for developers to build Java applications that tap into the cost-effective, scalable, and reliable AWS cloud.

Using the SDK, developers can build solutions for Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon SimpleDB, and more. With the AWS SDK for Java, developers get started in minutes. Eclipse Java IDE users can get started with the SDK easily using the AWS Toolkit for Eclipse.

Q: What services does the AWS SDK for Java support?

The AWS SDK for Java supports the AWS infrastructure products. For a complete list of services, see http://aws.amazon.com/sdkforjava

Q: What features are included in the AWS SDK for Java?

The SDK includes:

• AWS Java Library — Build Java applications on top of APIs that take the complexity out of coding directly against a web service interface. The library provides APIs that hide much of the lower-level plumbing, including authentication, request retries, and error handling.
• Code Samples — Practical examples for how to use the library to build applications.
• Eclipse support — Use the AWS Toolkit for Eclipse to add the AWS Java SDK to an existing project, or create a new Java project based on the AWS Java SDK.

Q: Why is AWS writing a Java SDK?

The AWS infrastructure services provide language-agnostic web service APIs that can be used by any number of programming languages and technologies. The AWS SDK for Java makes application development easier for our customers by providing a tailored development experience for Java developers. Previously, developers had to download multiple libraries from different providers in order to build an application on multiple AWS products. With the AWS SDK for Java, developers get started in minutes with a single, downloadable package with the AWS Java library, code samples, and documentation. Eclipse Java IDE users can get started even more easily with the AWS Toolkit for Eclipse.

Q: How do I get support for the AWS SDK for Java?

All customers can get support for the AWS SDK for Java through our community forums, getting started guide, and reference documentation available through the Java Development Center (http://aws.amazon.com/java). AWS Premium Support customers can additionally get support through the Support Center at http://aws.amazon.com/support.

Q: How is this different from the existing Java libraries that AWS provides?

In addition to packaging the libraries into a single package along with documentation and code samples, the AWS SDK for Java make it easier to use multiple AWS products. Eclipse Java IDE users can now easily add the AWS Java SDK to an existing project, or create a new Java project based on the AWS Java SDK.

Migrating to the AWS SDK for Java involves a few interface changes, which are covered in Migrating to the AWS SDK for Java.

Q: Will you deprecate the existing libraries from AWS?

Yes. In most cases, the API for the SDK will be based on the existing Java libraries that we’ve delivered for Amazon EC2, Amazon SQS, Amazon SimpleDB, and others. We recommend developers switch to the new AWS SDK for Java, where they’ll continue to get new feature updates and bug fixes.

Installation and Licensing

Q: How can I get the AWS SDK for Java?

You can download the AWS SDK for Java from http://aws.amazon.com/sdkforjava. Eclipse Java IDE users can use the AWS SDK for Java using the AWS Toolkit for Eclipse at http://aws.amazon.com/eclipse. Alternatively, you can download and install the AWS SDK for Java through our external repositories (see http://aws.amazon.com/sdkforjava for details).

Q: What version of Java does the SDK support?

The AWS SDK for Java supports Java 1.6 or later.

Open Source and Licensing

Q: Where can I find the source code?

The source code is available through our Git repository on GitHub. There, you can browse the source code online, download the entire package source, or create your own clone. See http://aws.amazon.com/sdkforjava for details.

Q: Is the AWS SDK for Java open source? How is the SDK licensed?

The library and sample application source code is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license, so you can modify and re-distribute the code with the appropriate attribution.

Q: Do you accept code contributions?

Yes. To provide a bug fix or improvement, post the code to our Java forums.