Amazon SQS

Concept

Amazon SQS (Simple Queue Service) is a fully managed message queue. One part (the producer) puts a description of a task into the queue as a message, and another part (the consumer) picks it up later and processes it. As a result, the two parts can run independently without waiting for each other; this is called decoupling. SQS has two types of queue — Standard and FIFO, where FIFO keeps messages in order. Lambda can read messages directly from SQS and do the work.

Simple example

In a restaurant, the waiter writes down the order and hangs it on a hook in the kitchen. The cook prepares the orders one by one in time, and the waiter doesn’t have to stand and wait.

Why it’s needed

So the system doesn’t break down when many requests arrive at once. Work is stored and finished gradually later. Even if one part is down, the other part keeps working.

Where it’s used

Putting tasks in a line, such as creating an invoice after an order arrives, processing images, or sending emails.

Azure equivalent

Azure Queue Storage / Service Bus Queue

Remember

SQS = a line of tasks. A message is usually processed by only one consumer.

Learn more

For details and the latest information, see the official documentation:

• Amazon SQS — AWS official documentation ↗