Boto2

Boto2 is the second major version of the boto project, a Python library that provides an interface to Amazon Web Services (AWS). It offers a collection of service-specific modules that map to AWS offerings, such as boto.s3 for Simple Storage Service, boto.ec2 for Elastic Compute Cloud, and boto.sqs for Simple Queue Service. The library aims to simplify interacting with AWS by presenting Python objects and high-level operations that mirror common cloud workflows.

Boto2 operates with a connection-oriented, object-oriented API. Developers create and configure service connection objects, then perform actions such as listing buckets, starting instances, or sending messages through straightforward Python calls. Credentials and region information are typically configured via a combination of a configuration file, environment variables, or per-call parameters, allowing code to authenticate with AWS and target the desired region.

Historically, boto2 was widely used in the Python community for AWS integration during the 2000s and early 2010s. Development and maintenance of boto2 slowed after the emergence of boto3, the modern AWS SDK for Python. Boto3 provides a more modular, session-based API, improved consistency across services, and continued official support from AWS. As a result, boto2 is now considered legacy for new projects, with emphasis on migrating to boto3 to gain access to updated service coverage and ongoing maintenance.

In current practice, boto2 remains available for legacy applications that rely on its API, but developers are generally encouraged to migrate to boto3 or other supported AWS SDK approaches to ensure compatibility with newer services and features.