Syncing Aws-cdk-lib Versions: Node.js & Python For Eoapi-cdk

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Syncing `aws-cdk-lib` Versions Between Node.js and Python for `eoapi-cdk`

Hey folks, ever run into a head-scratcher where your AWS CDK deployments are throwing weird errors, and you're not sure why? Well, you're not alone! Today, we're diving into a common issue when using eoapi-cdk, specifically concerning the versions of aws-cdk-lib used in your Node.js and Python projects. Let's break down the problem, why it happens, and how to fix it.

The Core Problem: Version Mismatches

The heart of the issue lies in version discrepancies. When your Node.js project (where you build your Python bindings, as seen in the eoapi-cdk's build workflow) uses a different aws-cdk-lib version than your Python project (which deploys using eoapi-cdk), you're setting yourself up for potential trouble. Breaking changes in aws-cdk-lib can lead to confusing and hard-to-debug tracebacks.

Consider a scenario where your Python project uses an older version of aws-cdk-lib while your build process (Node.js) is using a newer one, or vice-versa. The eoapi-cdk library, which acts as a bridge, might not be compatible with the newer or older version, resulting in runtime errors. This mismatch can be a real pain because the error messages often don't immediately point to the version conflict. They can be very cryptic, which makes debugging more time-consuming. You might spend hours chasing down a phantom bug when, in reality, it's just a version compatibility issue. The worst part is that these issues can pop up after you've already spent time building your infrastructure.

This kind of problem occurs in different situations. For example, when you introduce breaking changes in your CDK code and try to deploy the code, or when you are upgrading to newer versions. If the Python project depends on the library, it can create a compatibility issue. To avoid such issues, let's explore practical solutions and best practices to keep your versions in sync.

A Real-World Example: The IKeyRef AttributeError

Let's look at a concrete example to illustrate the impact. Imagine a traceback that looks something like this:

Traceback (most recent call last):
 File "<frozen runpy>", line 198, in _run_module_as_main
 File "<frozen runpy>", line 88, in _run_code
 File "/home/runner/work/ava-backend/ava-backend/infrastructure/aws/app.py", line 6, in <module>
 from .stacks.app import AppStack
 File "/home/runner/work/ava-backend/ava-backend/infrastructure/aws/stacks/app.py", line 8, in <module>
 from eoapi_cdk import (
 File "/home/runner/work/ava-backend/ava-backend/.venv/lib/python3.12/site-packages/eoapi_cdk/__init__.py", line 1043, in <module>
 class PgStacDatabase(
 File "/home/runner/work/ava-backend/ava-backend/.venv/lib/python3.12/site-packages/eoapi_cdk/__init__.py", line 1122, in PgStacDatabase
 storage_encryption_key: typing.Optional[_aws_cdk_aws_kms_ceddda9d.IKeyRef] = None,
 AttributeError: module 'aws_cdk.aws_kms' has no attribute 'IKeyRef'

This error is a classic example of a version incompatibility. The AttributeError: module 'aws_cdk.aws_kms' has no attribute 'IKeyRef' indicates that the eoapi_cdk library is expecting a particular feature (IKeyRef) from aws-cdk-lib, but the version of aws-cdk-lib being used doesn't have it. This could happen if the Python project is using an older version of aws-cdk-lib where IKeyRef wasn't available, while the build process (Node.js) is using a newer version where IKeyRef has been deprecated or changed. Debugging these types of errors can be incredibly frustrating. The error message doesn't directly point to a version issue, making it difficult to pinpoint the root cause. This forces you to dig deep into your code, the eoapi-cdk library, and the aws-cdk-lib documentation to figure out what's going on. The time spent troubleshooting can quickly add up, especially when you're under pressure to deploy or update your infrastructure. In the given example, it's very likely that the eoapi_cdk library was built with a different version of aws-cdk-lib than what the Python project was using.

The Simplest Solution: Pinning aws-cdk-lib Versions

The most straightforward solution to this problem is to ensure that the aws-cdk-lib versions are consistent across your Node.js and Python environments. This means explicitly specifying the aws-cdk-lib version in both your package.json (Node.js) and pyproject.toml (Python) files.

  • Node.js (package.json): Make sure your package.json file in your Node.js project includes the aws-cdk-lib as a dependency and specifies a fixed version. For example:

    {
  "dependencies": {
    "aws-cdk-lib": "^2.123.0",
    // other dependencies
  }
}

    The caret (^) allows for minor and patch updates, which are generally safe. However, for maximum control and to avoid unexpected breakages, you can pin the exact version:

    {
  "dependencies": {
    "aws-cdk-lib": "2.123.0",
    // other dependencies
  }
}

  • Python (pyproject.toml): In your Python project, add aws-cdk-lib as a required dependency in your pyproject.toml file. This is crucial because it ensures that the correct version is installed when your Python environment is set up. This is a crucial step to guarantee consistency. The following code is an example:

    [project]
dependencies = [
    "aws-cdk-lib==2.123.0",  # or the exact version you're using
    # other dependencies
]

    By doing this, you're explicitly telling your Python environment which version of aws-cdk-lib it should use. This helps prevent the version conflicts and makes sure that your infrastructure is built with the expected version. When using the exact version, you will have more control over your deployments. This practice is especially important when you're working with complex infrastructure setups where compatibility is crucial.

By explicitly pinning the versions in both environments, you create a safety net against version-related errors. Whenever you update aws-cdk-lib in one environment, you'll need to update it in the other, which will give you control over the updates, preventing unforeseen issues.

Why Isn't aws-cdk-lib a Required Dependency in Python?

This is a great question! In many Python projects using eoapi-cdk, aws-cdk-lib is often an optional dependency. This is not always the best practice. The main reason for this design is the attempt to reduce the number of dependencies to minimize installation times and potential conflicts, especially if eoapi-cdk is intended for use in environments where CDK isn't always needed. However, this flexibility can become a vulnerability in complex projects like those that use eoapi-cdk. The lack of a required dependency means that users might inadvertently use different versions of aws-cdk-lib in their Node.js and Python projects, leading to the type of errors we discussed earlier.

To improve reliability and simplify version management, aws-cdk-lib should be declared as a required dependency in your pyproject.toml file. This means it must be installed whenever your project's dependencies are installed. Doing this will force the Python environment to use the declared version of aws-cdk-lib. The eoapi-cdk can have its dependencies declared, which then requires that they must be used and installed. This approach makes sure that the Python package consistently uses a known, compatible version of aws-cdk-lib, reducing the risk of version-related issues during deployment. By including aws-cdk-lib as a required dependency, you create a more predictable and robust deployment process.

More Elegant Solutions: Advanced Version Management

While pinning versions is a solid starting point, let's look at more elegant approaches for larger or more complex projects.

Version Bundling and Build Scripts

If you have a very complex project, you might consider creating build scripts that bundle specific versions of aws-cdk-lib into your deployment packages. These build scripts could download the necessary dependencies and include them in the deployment package, which makes it less dependent on the environment. This ensures that the exact versions used during the build are always available during deployment. This ensures that the exact versions used during the build are always available during deployment.

Automated Version Synchronization

Automate the process of keeping your aws-cdk-lib versions synchronized. For instance, you could create a script that reads the version from your package.json (Node.js) and updates your pyproject.toml (Python) file automatically, or even integrate this into your CI/CD pipeline. This automation ensures version consistency without manual intervention. You can use tools like npm and pip to automatically update these versions. A carefully designed CI/CD pipeline will automatically update the versions, which keeps consistency and reduces the risk of human error.

Using a Dependency Manager

Use dependency management tools that can handle multiple package managers. Consider tools that can resolve dependencies across different ecosystems. These tools can help manage Node.js and Python dependencies simultaneously, making sure aws-cdk-lib is handled consistently across both environments. Dependency managers can simplify complex dependency trees and reduce the risk of conflicts. This is especially helpful if your project has a lot of dependencies.

Best Practices and Recommendations

  • Pin Versions: Always pin aws-cdk-lib versions in both your package.json and pyproject.toml files. This is the simplest and most effective way to avoid version conflicts.
  • Make aws-cdk-lib a Required Dependency: Ensure that aws-cdk-lib is a required dependency in your Python project to guarantee consistent installations.
  • Automate Version Updates: Consider automating version updates using scripts or CI/CD pipelines to reduce manual effort and human error.
  • Test Thoroughly: Always test your deployments in a staging environment before deploying to production. This can help to catch version-related issues early.
  • Monitor Releases: Keep an eye on aws-cdk-lib releases and any breaking changes that may affect your project. Make sure that you regularly test and update your dependencies to the latest stable versions.

By following these recommendations, you can reduce the likelihood of version-related headaches and ensure a smoother deployment experience.

Conclusion: Keeping it Smooth

In conclusion, syncing aws-cdk-lib versions between your Node.js and Python environments is crucial for smooth deployments and debugging. Pinning versions, making aws-cdk-lib a required dependency, and considering more advanced version management strategies will help you avoid the common pitfalls and keep your infrastructure running smoothly. Remember, a little bit of upfront effort in version management can save you a lot of time and frustration down the line. Now go forth and build with confidence, guys!