AWS CLI

AWS CLI Summary

The AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) is a tool that allows users to interact with AWS services using commands in a terminal or command prompt.
It is a unified tool that provides control of multiple AWS services directly from the command line, simplifying resource management and automation.
Compared to the AWS Management Console, the AWS CLI offers more options and flexibility.

Configuration: Before using the AWS CLI, users need to configure it with their AWS credentials and default region, allowing secure access to their AWS account.
Command Execution: The CLI allows execution of various commands, such as launching instances, managing storage, monitoring resources, and more.
Scripting and Automation: Users can use scripts to automate repetitive tasks and integrate AWS services into their workflows.
Output Formatting: AWS CLI provides output in multiple formats like JSON, text, and table, for easier parsing and readability.

The sources outline the installation process for Linux and macOS, along with verification and configuration steps:

Download the Installer: Download the appropriate AWS CLI installer for your operating system from the AWS CLI website (https://aws.amazon.com/cli/).
Run the Installer: Follow the instructions provided for your specific OS to run the installer.
Verify the Installation: Use the command aws --version to verify that the installation was successful.
Configure the AWS CLI: Run the command aws configure to set up your AWS credentials (Access Key and Secret Key).

Unified Interface: Offers a consistent command structure for managing different AWS services.
Automation: Supports scripting and automation of repetitive tasks, increasing efficiency and consistency.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring consistent usage across diverse environments.
Configuration Management: Supports profiles and configuration settings, allowing customization of environments and management of multiple AWS accounts.
Output Formats: Offers multiple output formats (JSON, text, table) for different needs.

Streamlined Management: Provides a single tool for managing multiple AWS services.
Automation: Enables scripting and automation for efficient batch operations and workflow integration.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Consistent usage across different operating systems.
Customization: Configuration profiles and settings enable customized environments and management of multiple AWS accounts.
Integration: Easy integration with other tools and services, allowing seamless integration into existing workflows.

The sources provide a table that compares AWS CLI and AWS SDK:

Aspect	AWS CLI	AWS SDK
Primary Use Case	Manual commands, automation scripts, DevOps tasks	Programmatic integration into applications
Interface	Command-line interface (Terminal/Command Prompt)	Programmatic (via code in supported languages)
Languages	Shell/CLI-based, no programming language required	Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C#, etc.)
Automation	Suitable for task automation through shell scripting	Suitable for building applications that interact with AWS services
Complexity	Simple, command-based usage	Requires programming knowledge to use in applications
Environment	Typically used in a terminal or command prompt	Used within application code (IDE or code editor)
Use in CI/CD	Frequently used in build pipelines and scripting	Used within the application to make API calls to AWS
Conclusion	Ideal for ad-hoc tasks, shell-based automation, and DevOps activities via simple commands in a terminal.	Better suited for developers who need to programmatically integrate AWS services into their applications, allowing deeper, automated interactions within the code.