Getting Started with AWS CDK Using TypeScript

Why CDK?

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) has changed how teams manage cloud infrastructure. AWS CDK builds on that idea by letting you define infrastructure using real programming languages instead of static templates.

Instead of writing large YAML or JSON files, you model infrastructure using TypeScript constructs, with type safety, refactoring support, and tests.

Learning CDK with TypeScript will transform your infrastructure workflows and enhance your engineering capabilities. With features like:

• Strong typing for catching errors early
• Robust testing capabilities
• Rich ecosystem support

What is AWS CDK, and Why Should You Learn It?

What is AWS CDK?

AWS CDK is an open-source framework that lets you define cloud infrastructure using code. Instead of writing verbose JSON or YAML templates, you can use TypeScript to manage resources like:

• S3 buckets
• Lambda functions
• VPCs
• And much more

// Example: Creating an S3 bucket with CDK
import * as cdk from 'aws-cdk-lib';
import * as s3 from 'aws-cdk-lib/aws-s3';

new s3.Bucket(this, 'MyBucket', {
  versioned: true,
  encryption: s3.BucketEncryption.S3_MANAGED,
});

Key Benefits

1. Simplified Infrastructure Management

   • No more manual setups
   • Reduced human error
   • Version control for your infrastructure

2. Reusable Patterns

   • Create custom constructs
   • Share across teams
   • Maintain consistency

3. Programming Features

   • Use loops and conditions
   • Implement custom logic
   • Leverage type safety

🚀 Pro Tip: Start with simple resources and gradually build up to more complex infrastructure patterns.

Prerequisites for Getting Started

Technical Requirements

Before diving in, ensure you have:

📋 Essential Tools

• AWS Account (free tier works fine)
• Node.js and npm (latest LTS version)
• AWS CLI configured

📋 Development Environment

• VS Code with TypeScrip extensions, or any other editor you like.
• Git for version control
• Terminal access

Installation Steps

1. Install Node.js

   # Check if Node.js is installed
   node --version
   
   # If not, download from nodejs.org

2. Install AWS CDK CLI

   npm install -g aws-cdk
   
   # Verify installation
   cdk --version

3. Configure AWS CLI

   aws configure
   # Follow prompts for access key and secret

Step-by-Step: Your First AWS CDK Project in TypeScript

1. Project Setup

Create your first CDK project:

# Create project directory
mkdir cdk-project
cd cdk-project

# Initialize CDK app
cdk init app --language=typescript

Your project structure should look like this:

cdk-project/
├── bin/
│   └── cdk-project.ts    # Entry point
├── lib/
│   └── cdk-project-stack.ts    # Stack definition
├── test/
│   └── cdk-project.test.ts    # Tests
├── cdk.json
└── package.json

2. Creating Your First Stack

Open lib/cdk-project-stack.ts and add:

import * as cdk from 'aws-cdk-lib';
import { Construct } from 'constructs';
import * as s3 from 'aws-cdk-lib/aws-s3';

export class CdkProjectStack extends cdk.Stack {
  constructor(scope: Construct, id: string, props?: cdk.StackProps) {
    super(scope, id, props);

    // Create an S3 bucket
    const bucket = new s3.Bucket(this, 'MyFirstBucket', {
      versioned: true,
      encryption: s3.BucketEncryption.S3_MANAGED,
      removalPolicy: cdk.RemovalPolicy.DESTROY, // For testing only
    });

    // Output the bucket name
    new cdk.CfnOutput(this, 'BucketName', {
      value: bucket.bucketName,
      description: 'The name of the S3 bucket',
    });
  }
}

3. Deployment

Deploy your stack:

# Synthesize CloudFormation template
cdk synth

# Deploy to AWS
cdk deploy

⚠️ Important: Always review the changes before deploying:

cdk diff

4. Testing and Iteration

Add a lifecycle policy to your bucket:

const bucket = new s3.Bucket(this, 'MyFirstBucket', {
  versioned: true,
  encryption: s3.BucketEncryption.S3_MANAGED,
  removalPolicy: cdk.RemovalPolicy.DESTROY,
  lifecycleRules: [
    {
      expiration: cdk.Duration.days(365),
      transitions: [
        {
          storageClass: s3.StorageClass.INFREQUENT_ACCESS,
          transitionAfter: cdk.Duration.days(30),
        },
      ],
    },
  ],
});

📚 Further Reading: Check out the AWS CDK Workshop for hands-on exercises.