5 AWS services that every beginner should know !!

5 Essential AWS Services for Beginners: Real-Life Applications

Embarking on your cloud computing journey can be daunting, especially with the vast array of services offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). However, AWS is quite approachable once you break it down into manageable parts. In this article, I will introduce you to five AWS services that are crucial for beginners, complete with real-world examples explained in straightforward terms.

1. Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)

Overview:
Amazon S3 functions like Google Drive for developers, allowing you to store files such as images, videos, and documents in the cloud, accessible from anywhere.

Use Case:
If you're developing a personal portfolio website and need a place to host your images and project screenshots, you can upload them to S3 and link them directly. Additionally, you can host an entire static website (HTML/CSS/JS) on S3 at little to no cost.

Benefits:

• Cost-effective cloud storage

• Simplified file sharing and backups

• Capability to host static websites

2. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)

Overview:
EC2 is akin to renting a virtual computer on the internet, where you can install software, run websites, or even train machine learning models.

Use Case:
If you're learning Linux or developing a web application like a resume builder, you can launch an EC2 instance (a virtual machine), install Linux/Ubuntu, set up Apache or Nginx, and deploy your application.

Benefits:

• Complete control over your virtual server

• Ideal for hosting applications or learning Linux

• Easily scalable as your project grows

3. AWS Lambda

Overview:
AWS Lambda allows you to run your code without managing servers. Simply write your function, and AWS handles the rest.

Use Case:
Suppose you want to automatically send a thank-you email whenever someone submits a form on your site. With Lambda, you can write a small Python or Node.js script to accomplish this, running only when the form is submitted—eliminating the need for a server to run continuously.

Benefits:

• No server management required

• Pay only when your code executes

• Excellent for automation and backend logic

4. Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service)

Overview:
RDS simplifies the setup and management of databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server in the cloud.

Use Case:
If you're creating a to-do list app and need a database to store user tasks, you can launch an RDS instance, connect it to your app, and let AWS manage updates, backups, and scaling.

Benefits:

• Simplified database setup

• Reliable and secure

• Automatic handling of backups and maintenance

5. AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management)

Overview:
IAM enables you to manage who can access your AWS resources and what actions they can perform, similar to setting up roles and permissions for your team or applications.

Use Case:
In a group project, if you want a colleague to assist in deploying a site, you can create an IAM user with limited access—perhaps only to EC2—ensuring they cannot accidentally delete your S3 files or database.

Benefits:

• Robust security control

• Best practice for team or multi-service environments

• Prevents accidental or unauthorized access

Conclusion

Starting with AWS doesn't have to be overwhelming. These five services—S3, EC2, Lambda, RDS, and IAM—are foundational to many cloud applications today. Mastering these will give you a significant advantage!

Pro Tip: Begin with AWS's free-tier eligible services and try building a small project using a few of these services—such as a blog site hosted on S3 with form submissions powered by Lambda.

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