Understanding AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that lets you run code without provisioning or managing servers. It automatically scales your applications by running code in response to each trigger, such as changes in data or system state. Lambda is designed to handle various workloads, from simple automated tasks to complex data processing.

Identifying the Import Module Error

When working with AWS Lambda, you might encounter an 'Import Module Error'. This error typically manifests when the Lambda function is unable to import a required module, resulting in a failure to execute the function as expected. The error message might look like this:

"errorMessage": "Unable to import module 'lambda_function': No module named 'your_module'"


Common Symptoms

The most common symptom of this issue is the Lambda function failing to execute with an error message indicating a missing module. This can occur immediately upon invocation or during specific operations within the function.

Exploring the Root Cause

The root cause of the 'Import Module Error' is often due to the required module not being included in the deployment package or being incompatible with the runtime environment specified for the Lambda function. This can happen if:

• The module is missing from the deployment package.
• The module is not compatible with the runtime environment.
• The module is installed in a local environment but not packaged correctly for Lambda.

Deployment Package Considerations

Ensure that all necessary modules are included in the deployment package. Lambda requires all dependencies to be packaged together with your function code.

Steps to Resolve the Import Module Error

Follow these steps to resolve the 'Import Module Error' in AWS Lambda:

1. Verify Module Inclusion

Ensure that the required module is included in your deployment package. You can do this by:

• Creating a virtual environment and installing the module using pip:

• Packaging the virtual environment's site-packages directory with your Lambda function code.

2. Check Runtime Compatibility

Verify that the module is compatible with the runtime environment specified for your Lambda function. You can find the list of supported runtimes in the AWS Lambda Runtimes documentation.

3. Update the Deployment Package

Repackage your Lambda function with the correct dependencies:

• Zip the contents of your project directory, including the module and any other dependencies.

• Upload the updated deployment package to AWS Lambda.

Additional Resources

For more detailed guidance on packaging and deploying Lambda functions, refer to the following resources:

• AWS Lambda Deployment Package in Python
• Working with AWS Lambda and Lambda Layers

By following these steps and utilizing the resources provided, you should be able to resolve the 'Import Module Error' and ensure your AWS Lambda functions run smoothly.