AWS Step Functions adds Support for Updating State Machines

Posted On: Nov 15, 2017

AWS Step Functions now supports updating state machines, allowing you to easily change your state machine definitions and configurations. AWS Step Functions makes it easy to coordinate the components of distributed applications and microservices using visual workflows. Building applications from individual components that each perform a discrete function lets you scale and change applications quickly. Step Functions is a reliable way to coordinate components and step through the functions of your application. 

Previously, if you wanted to make changes to your state machine, you had to change the name, which also changed the corresponding Amazon Resource Name (ARN), or delete the state machine and create a new one in order to use the same name. You can now use the new Step Functions API call, UpdateStateMachine, to make changes to your state machine configuration and keep the same name–without deleting it first. This makes it easier to modify and iterate your applications. You retain the history of all state machine executions for the full 90-day retention period, including executions that started before your update. You can also view state machine definitions and the configured roles of all available executions.

The UpdateStateMachine API call is supported in the Step Functions console, AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), and AWS CloudFormation–including defining state machines and activities as named resources.

Updating state machines is supported today in all regions where Step Functions is available, including US East (N. Virginia), US East (Ohio), US West (Oregon), EU (Frankfurt), EU (Ireland), EU (London), Asia Pacific (Sydney), and Asia Pacific (Tokyo) regions.

To learn more, see the following resources: