Building a Serverless Ride-Sharing App on AWS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a real-world project is one of the best ways to showcase your skills and learn the vast ecosystem of AWS. Recently, I followed an amazing YouTube tutorial that inspired me to build a serverless ride-sharing app (for unicorns!) using the AWS Wild Rydes sample project.

This hands-on project integrates seven AWS services to create a fully functioning application. By combining GitHub, AWS Amplify Gen 2, Cognito, Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, and IAM, I was able to build a robust app that’s perfect for a portfolio or resume. Here’s how I achieved it step by step.

Step 1: Setting Up the Environment

To start, I ensured I had the right tools and accounts:

1. AWS Account with admin access.
2. GitHub Account to manage code.
3. A text editor for configuration updates.

The application code was cloned from this GitHub repository.

Step 2: Deploying the Frontend with Amplify

1. Fork the Repository on GitHub and connect it to AWS Amplify.
2. In the AWS Amplify Console, create a new app and link it to the GitHub repository.

3. Deploy the frontend and verify that the website is live.

4. Test CI/CD functionality by making a small code update in GitHub and observing automatic redeployment.

Step 3: Adding Authentication with Cognito

To enable secure user login:

1. Created a User Pool in Amazon Cognito.
2. Updated the app configuration to integrate Cognito.

3. Tested the registration and login process via the website.

Step 4: Implementing Backend Functionality with Lambda and DynamoDB

1. Created a DynamoDB Table to store ride-sharing data.

2. Built a Lambda Function to manage ride requests (e.g., assign unicorns and log rides).Added IAM permissions for Lambda to write to the DynamoDB table.

3. Tested the Lambda function to ensure data was correctly saved.

Step 5: Integrating the Backend with API Gateway

1. Set up a REST API in API Gateway to invoke the Lambda function.
2. Linked the API with Cognito for authentication.

3. Updated the app configuration with the API Gateway's Invoke URL.

4. Tested the entire flow: user authentication, ride requests, and data logging.

Step 6: Cleaning Up Resources

To avoid unnecessary costs, I deleted the resources created:

• DynamoDB table
• Lambda function
• API Gateway
• Cognito User Pool
• Amplify app

Key Takeaways

This project was a fantastic learning experience, helping me understand how to:

1. Use AWS services in a serverless architecture.
2. Integrate CI/CD with Amplify and GitHub.
3. Secure applications with Cognito.
4. Build scalable backends with Lambda, DynamoDB, and API Gateway.

If you're exploring AWS or building a portfolio, this project is a great addition!