Making API Requests
Query requests used with CloudWatch Logs are HTTP or HTTPS requests that use the HTTP verb GET or
POST and a Query parameter named Action or Operation. This
documentation uses Action, although Operation is supported for
backward compatibility.
Note
CloudWatch Logs might log request contents for fields that aren’t considered sensitive, such as API request parameters for CloudWatch Logs actions. This provides debugging information for failed API requests.
CloudWatch Logs Endpoints
An endpoint is a URL that serves as an entry point for a web service. You can select a regional endpoint when you make your requests to reduce latency. For information about the endpoints used with CloudWatch Logs, see Regions and Endpoints in the Amazon Web Services General Reference.
Query Parameters
Each query request must include some common parameters to handle authentication and selection of an action. For more information, see Common Parameters.
Some API operations take lists of parameters. These lists are specified using the
following notation: param.member.n. Values of n are integers starting
from 1. All lists of parameters must follow this notation, including lists that
contain only one parameter. For example, a Query parameter list looks like
this:
&attribute.member.1=this &attribute.member.2=that
Request Identifiers
In every response from an AWS Query API, there is a ResponseMetadata
element, which contains a RequestId element. This string is a unique
identifier that AWS assigns to provide tracking information. Although
RequestId is included as part of every response, it is not listed on
the individual API documentation pages to improve readability and to reduce
redundancy.
Query API Authentication
You can send query requests over either HTTP or HTTPS. Regardless of which protocol you use, you must include a signature in every query request. For more information about creating and including a signature, see Signing AWS API Requests in the Amazon Web Services General Reference.
Available Libraries
AWS provides libraries, sample code, tutorials, and other resources for software developers who prefer to build applications using language-specific APIs instead of the command-line tools and Query API. These libraries provide basic functions (not included in the APIs), such as request authentication, request retries, and error handling so that it is easier to get started. Libraries and resources are available for the following languages and platforms:
For libraries and sample code in all languages, see Sample Code & Libraries
