aws-xray-sdk-node VS powertools-lambda-typescript

You see in the node xrays sdk that each AWS service is customized with the captureAWSRequest function, which is responsible for the X-Ray calls.

Generally speaking, it is encouraged on serverless-heavy environments (assuming Lambdas, API Gateways, AppSync, DynamoDB and similar services were configured to use it). However, some crucial pieces are still missing, like a proper SQS integration. Bear that in mind.

So what do we get for that? The Tracer module wraps the AWS X-Ray SDK (as a transitive dependency). It doesn't really add any net new capabilities, but makes the SDK easier to work with. In my experience, that SDK is a bit of a bear so this may be well worth it. We can decorate class methods to introduce new trace segments in a single line of code. We can also use the imperative form to add new traces where we see fit. We can capture AWS clients, but that simply exposes the X-Ray SDK.

aws-xray-sdk-node: https://github.com/aws/aws-xray-sdk-node/issues/208

The Powertools GitHub repository offers nice examples to integrate and learn from. For example here are nice example written in AWS CDK. Following I will list the features I gained some experience with.

Lambda Powertools TypeScript can't be used directly as an ES Modules dependency, but there is an issue open, so please consider adding your +1. For now, it's possible to get by with a require shim or via cjs tricks but it would be great to see native support for ES Modules in Lambda Powertools TypeScript.

for secrets, I would recommend using AWS PowerTools if you can (depending on your language) - https://github.com/awslabs/aws-lambda-powertools-python - https://github.com/awslabs/aws-lambda-powertools-typescript

The documentation for Lambda Powertools TypeScript is pretty good and provides several examples with even more on GitHub.

Last week, AWS announced the beta release of AWS Lambda Powertools Typescript. This is a suite of TypeScript utilities for AWS Lambda functions to enable the adoption of best practices in areas such as structured logging, tracing and custom metrics.