# Work with tables in DynamoDB
<a name="examples-dynamodb-tables"></a>

Tables are the containers for all items in a DynamoDB database. Before you can add or remove data from DynamoDB, you must create a table.

For each table, you must define:
+ A table *name* that is unique for your account and Region.
+ A *primary key* for which every value must be unique; no two items in your table can have the same primary key value.

  A primary key can be *simple*, consisting of a single partition (HASH) key, or *composite*, consisting of a partition and a sort (RANGE) key.

  Each key value has an associated *data type*, enumerated by the [https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ScalarAttributeType.html](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ScalarAttributeType.html) class. The key value can be binary (B), numeric (N), or a string (S). For more information, see [Naming Rules and Data Types](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/HowItWorks.NamingRulesDataTypes.html) in the Amazon DynamoDB Developer Guide.
+  *Provisioned throughput* are values that define the number of reserved read/write capacity units for the table.
**Note**  
 [Amazon DynamoDB pricing](https://aws.amazon.com/dynamodb/pricing/) is based on the provisioned throughput values that you set on your tables, so reserve only as much capacity as you think you’ll need for your table.

  Provisioned throughput for a table can be modified at any time, so you can adjust capacity as your needs change.

## Create a table
<a name="dynamodb-create-table"></a>

Use the `DynamoDbClient’s` `createTable` method to create a new DynamoDB table. You need to construct table attributes and a table schema, both of which are used to identify the primary key of your table. You must also supply initial provisioned throughput values and a table name.

**Note**  
If a table with the name you chose already exists, a `[DynamoDbException](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/DynamoDbException.html)` is thrown.

### Create a table with a simple primary key
<a name="dynamodb-create-table-simple"></a>

This code creates a table with one attribute that is the table's simple primary key. the example uses `[AttributeDefinition](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/AttributeDefinition.html)` and `[KeySchemaElement](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/KeySchemaElement.html)` objects for the [https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/CreateTableRequest.html](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/CreateTableRequest.html).

 **Imports** 

```
import software.amazon.awssdk.core.waiters.WaiterResponse;
import software.amazon.awssdk.regions.Region;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.CreateTableRequest;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.AttributeDefinition;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ScalarAttributeType;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ScalarAttributeType;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.KeySchemaElement;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ProvisionedThroughput;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.KeyType;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.CreateTableResponse;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DescribeTableRequest;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DescribeTableResponse;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DynamoDbException;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.DynamoDbClient;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.waiters.DynamoDbWaiter;
```

 **Code** 

```
    public static String createTable(DynamoDbClient ddb, String tableName, String key) {

        DynamoDbWaiter dbWaiter = ddb.waiter();
        CreateTableRequest request = CreateTableRequest.builder()
                .attributeDefinitions(AttributeDefinition.builder()
                        .attributeName(key)
                        .attributeType(ScalarAttributeType.S)
                        .build())
                .keySchema(KeySchemaElement.builder()
                        .attributeName(key)
                        .keyType(KeyType.HASH)
                        .build())
                .provisionedThroughput(ProvisionedThroughput.builder()
                        .readCapacityUnits(new Long(10))
                        .writeCapacityUnits(new Long(10))
                        .build())
                .tableName(tableName)
                .build();

        String newTable ="";
        try {
            CreateTableResponse response = ddb.createTable(request);
            DescribeTableRequest tableRequest = DescribeTableRequest.builder()
                    .tableName(tableName)
                    .build();

            // Wait until the Amazon DynamoDB table is created
            WaiterResponse<DescribeTableResponse> waiterResponse =  dbWaiter.waitUntilTableExists(tableRequest);
            waiterResponse.matched().response().ifPresent(System.out::println);

            newTable = response.tableDescription().tableName();
            return newTable;

        } catch (DynamoDbException e) {
            System.err.println(e.getMessage());
            System.exit(1);
        }
       return "";
    }
```

See the [complete example](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/blob/0b1785e42949ebf959eaa0f0da4dc2a48f92ea25/javav2/example_code/dynamodb/src/main/java/com/example/dynamodb/CreateTable.java) on GitHub.

### Create a table with a composite primary key
<a name="dynamodb-create-table-composite"></a>

The following example creates a table with two attributes. Both attributes are used for the composite primary key.

 **Imports** 

```
import software.amazon.awssdk.regions.Region;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DynamoDbException;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.AttributeDefinition;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.CreateTableRequest;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.CreateTableResponse;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.KeySchemaElement;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.KeyType;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ProvisionedThroughput;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ScalarAttributeType;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.DynamoDbClient;
```

 **Code** 

```
    public static String createTableComKey(DynamoDbClient ddb, String tableName) {
        CreateTableRequest request = CreateTableRequest.builder()
                .attributeDefinitions(
                        AttributeDefinition.builder()
                                .attributeName("Language")
                                .attributeType(ScalarAttributeType.S)
                                .build(),
                        AttributeDefinition.builder()
                                .attributeName("Greeting")
                                .attributeType(ScalarAttributeType.S)
                                .build())
                .keySchema(
                        KeySchemaElement.builder()
                                .attributeName("Language")
                                .keyType(KeyType.HASH)
                                .build(),
                        KeySchemaElement.builder()
                                .attributeName("Greeting")
                                .keyType(KeyType.RANGE)
                                .build())
                .provisionedThroughput(
                        ProvisionedThroughput.builder()
                                .readCapacityUnits(new Long(10))
                                .writeCapacityUnits(new Long(10)).build())
                .tableName(tableName)
                .build();

       String tableId = "";

       try {
            CreateTableResponse result = ddb.createTable(request);
            tableId = result.tableDescription().tableId();
            return tableId;
        } catch (DynamoDbException e) {
            System.err.println(e.getMessage());
            System.exit(1);
        }
       return "";
    }
```

See the [complete example](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/blob/0b1785e42949ebf959eaa0f0da4dc2a48f92ea25/javav2/example_code/dynamodb/src/main/java/com/example/dynamodb/CreateTableCompositeKey.java) on GitHub.

## List tables
<a name="dynamodb-list-tables"></a>

You can list the tables in a particular Region by calling the `DynamoDbClient’s` `listTables` method.

**Note**  
If the named table doesn’t exist for your account and Region, a [https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ResourceNotFoundException.html](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ResourceNotFoundException.html) is thrown.

 **Imports** 

```
import software.amazon.awssdk.regions.Region;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DynamoDbException;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ListTablesResponse;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ListTablesRequest;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.DynamoDbClient;
import java.util.List;
```

 **Code** 

```
    public static void listAllTables(DynamoDbClient ddb){

        boolean moreTables = true;
        String lastName = null;

        while(moreTables) {
            try {
                ListTablesResponse response = null;
                if (lastName == null) {
                    ListTablesRequest request = ListTablesRequest.builder().build();
                    response = ddb.listTables(request);
                } else {
                    ListTablesRequest request = ListTablesRequest.builder()
                            .exclusiveStartTableName(lastName).build();
                    response = ddb.listTables(request);
                }

                List<String> tableNames = response.tableNames();

                if (tableNames.size() > 0) {
                    for (String curName : tableNames) {
                        System.out.format("* %s\n", curName);
                    }
                } else {
                    System.out.println("No tables found!");
                    System.exit(0);
                }

                lastName = response.lastEvaluatedTableName();
                if (lastName == null) {
                    moreTables = false;
                }
            } catch (DynamoDbException e) {
                System.err.println(e.getMessage());
                System.exit(1);
            }
        }
        System.out.println("\nDone!");
    }
```

By default, up to 100 tables are returned per call—​use `lastEvaluatedTableName` on the returned [https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ListTablesResponse.html](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ListTablesResponse.html) object to get the last table that was evaluated. You can use this value to start the listing after the last returned value of the previous listing.

See the [complete example](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/blob/0b1785e42949ebf959eaa0f0da4dc2a48f92ea25/javav2/example_code/dynamodb/src/main/java/com/example/dynamodb/ListTables.java) on GitHub.

## Describe (get information about) a table
<a name="dynamodb-describe-table"></a>

Use the `DynamoDbClient’s` `describeTable` method to get information about a table.

**Note**  
If the named table doesn’t exist for your account and Region, a [https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ResourceNotFoundException.html](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ResourceNotFoundException.html) is thrown.

 **Imports** 

```
import software.amazon.awssdk.regions.Region;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DynamoDbException;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.DynamoDbClient;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.AttributeDefinition;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DescribeTableRequest;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ProvisionedThroughputDescription;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.TableDescription;
import java.util.List;
```

 **Code** 

```
    public static void describeDymamoDBTable(DynamoDbClient ddb,String tableName ) {

        DescribeTableRequest request = DescribeTableRequest.builder()
                .tableName(tableName)
                .build();

        try {
            TableDescription tableInfo =
                    ddb.describeTable(request).table();

            if (tableInfo != null) {
                System.out.format("Table name  : %s\n",
                        tableInfo.tableName());
                System.out.format("Table ARN   : %s\n",
                        tableInfo.tableArn());
                System.out.format("Status      : %s\n",
                        tableInfo.tableStatus());
                System.out.format("Item count  : %d\n",
                        tableInfo.itemCount().longValue());
                System.out.format("Size (bytes): %d\n",
                        tableInfo.tableSizeBytes().longValue());

                ProvisionedThroughputDescription throughputInfo =
                        tableInfo.provisionedThroughput();
                System.out.println("Throughput");
                System.out.format("  Read Capacity : %d\n",
                        throughputInfo.readCapacityUnits().longValue());
                System.out.format("  Write Capacity: %d\n",
                        throughputInfo.writeCapacityUnits().longValue());

                List<AttributeDefinition> attributes =
                        tableInfo.attributeDefinitions();
                System.out.println("Attributes");

                for (AttributeDefinition a : attributes) {
                    System.out.format("  %s (%s)\n",
                            a.attributeName(), a.attributeType());
                }
            }
        } catch (DynamoDbException e) {
            System.err.println(e.getMessage());
            System.exit(1);
        }
        System.out.println("\nDone!");
    }
```

See the [complete example](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/blob/0b1785e42949ebf959eaa0f0da4dc2a48f92ea25/javav2/example_code/dynamodb/src/main/java/com/example/dynamodb/DescribeTable.java) on GitHub.

## Modify (update) a table
<a name="dynamodb-update-table"></a>

You can modify your table’s provisioned throughput values at any time by calling the `DynamoDbClient’s` `updateTable` method.

**Note**  
If the named table doesn’t exist for your account and Region, a [ResourceNotFoundException](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ResourceNotFoundException.html) is thrown.

 **Imports** 

```
import software.amazon.awssdk.regions.Region;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.ProvisionedThroughput;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.DynamoDbClient;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.UpdateTableRequest;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DynamoDbException;
```

 **Code** 

```
    public static void updateDynamoDBTable(DynamoDbClient ddb,
                                           String tableName,
                                           Long readCapacity,
                                           Long writeCapacity) {

        System.out.format(
                "Updating %s with new provisioned throughput values\n",
                tableName);
        System.out.format("Read capacity : %d\n", readCapacity);
        System.out.format("Write capacity : %d\n", writeCapacity);

        ProvisionedThroughput tableThroughput = ProvisionedThroughput.builder()
                .readCapacityUnits(readCapacity)
                .writeCapacityUnits(writeCapacity)
                .build();

        UpdateTableRequest request = UpdateTableRequest.builder()
                .provisionedThroughput(tableThroughput)
                .tableName(tableName)
                .build();

        try {
            ddb.updateTable(request);
        } catch (DynamoDbException e) {
            System.err.println(e.getMessage());
            System.exit(1);
        }

        System.out.println("Done!");
    }
```

See the [complete example](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/blob/0b1785e42949ebf959eaa0f0da4dc2a48f92ea25/javav2/example_code/dynamodb/src/main/java/com/example/dynamodb/UpdateTable.java) on GitHub.

## Delete a table
<a name="dynamodb-delete-table"></a>

To delete a table, call `DynamoDbClient’s` `deleteTable` method and provide the table’s name.

**Note**  
If the named table doesn’t exist for your account and Region, a [ResourceNotFoundException](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/java/api/latest/software/amazon/awssdk/services/dynamodb/model/ResourceNotFoundException.html) is thrown.

 **Imports** 

```
import software.amazon.awssdk.regions.Region;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DynamoDbException;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.DynamoDbClient;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.dynamodb.model.DeleteTableRequest;
```

 **Code** 

```
    public static void deleteDynamoDBTable(DynamoDbClient ddb, String tableName) {

        DeleteTableRequest request = DeleteTableRequest.builder()
                .tableName(tableName)
                .build();

        try {
            ddb.deleteTable(request);

        } catch (DynamoDbException e) {
            System.err.println(e.getMessage());
            System.exit(1);
        }
        System.out.println(tableName +" was successfully deleted!");
    }
```

See the [complete example](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/blob/0b1785e42949ebf959eaa0f0da4dc2a48f92ea25/javav2/example_code/dynamodb/src/main/java/com/example/dynamodb/DeleteTable.java) on GitHub.

## More information
<a name="more-information"></a>
+  [Guidelines for Working with Tables](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/GuidelinesForTables.html) in the Amazon DynamoDB Developer Guide
+  [Working with Tables in DynamoDB](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/WorkingWithTables.html) in the Amazon DynamoDB Developer Guide