Amazon Simple Workflow Service (SWF)
Legacy workflow orchestration
SWF coordinates the steps of distributed workflows; you write your own deciders and workers to poll for and execute tasks. The service still runs, but AWS recommends Step Functions for new applications.
- Cost$ Low
- Difficulty●●●●●
- Costs money when idle?No
- Serverless
- In examsSAA
Think of it asLike an old-school switchboard operator: still on the job, but you have to write the coordination script yourself.
When to use it
✓ Use it when
Existing systems using SWF, or needing long-running manual (human) intervention in the old model.
✗ Avoid it when
New workflows → Step Functions.
Common uses
- Maintain existing SWF workflows
- Processes with long human approval steps
What does it cost?
- Pricing model: Charged by the number of workflows started, tasks, signals, and workflow retention time.
