Additional Reading

Articles:

• SQL, NoSQL, and Scale: How DynamoDB scales where relational databases don't - This is a post of mine explaining the core architectural decisions that allow NoSQL databases to scale further than their SQL brethren.
• The What, Why, and When of Single-Table Design with DynamoDB - A deep look at what it means to do single-table design in DynamoDB and why you would want to. It also includes a few situations where you may want to avoid single-table design.
• Faux-SQL or NoSQL? Examining four DynamoDB Patterns in Serverless Applications - This is a post I wrote on the common data modeling patterns I see with DynamoDB in serverless applications.
• Why Amazon DynamoDB isn't for everyone - My favorite post on this topic. Forrest Brazeal does a great job breaking down the pros and cons of DynamoDB.
• From relational DB to single DynamoDB table: a step-by-step exploration - Another great post by Forrest Brazeal. It's a detailed walkthrough of how to use the single-table DynamoDB pattern in a complex use case.
• Why the PIE theorem is more relevant than the CAP theorem - Another post I wrote about choosing a database that includes consideration of DynamoDB.

Videos:

• Advanced Design Patterns for DynamoDB (reInvent 2017). Rick Houlihan is a master of DynamoDB and has some great tips.
• Advanced Design Pattens for DynamoDB (reInvent 2018). Rick Houlihan is back with more tips. The first half is similar to 2017, but the second half has different examples. Highly recommended. Get the slides here.
• Advanced Design Patterns for DynamoDB (reInvent 2019). The most recent edition of Rick Houlihan's DynamoDB talk.
• Advanced Design Patterns for DynamoDB (reInvent 2020) Part 1 & Part 2
• Data Modeling with DynamoDB (reInvent 2020) -- Part 1 & Part 2. An intermediate level look at the concepts behind DynamoDB to understand the core data modeling principles.
• Data Modeling with DynamoDB (reInvent 2019). A gentler introduction to DynamoDB single-table concepts. Watch this video if Rick's is too advanced.
• Using (and ignoring) DynamoDB Best Practices in Serverless (ServerlessConf NYC 2019). This talk focuses on using DynamoDB in Serverless applications.

Reference material:

• Awesome DynamoDB -- A GitHub repo with DynamoDB links and resources.
• DynamoDB landing page
• AWS Developer Guide Docs
• AWS CLI reference for DynamoDB
• Boto3 (Python client library for AWS) docs
• Javascript client library for AWS
• Document Client cheat sheet (Javascript). Created by Nader Dabit.