This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer is deploying a serverless application using AWS SAM. The application includes an API Gateway HTTP API and multiple Lambda functions. The developer wants to implement a gradual deployment strategy where 10% of traffic is shifted to the new version, and if no errors occur, the remaining traffic is shifted after 5 minutes. The developer has defined the deployment preference in the SAM template. However, after deploying, the developer notices that the traffic shift happens immediately and not gradually. The SAM template includes the following configuration for one of the Lambda functions:
The developer has confirmed that the Lambda function version is being updated. What is the MOST likely reason the gradual deployment is not working?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The API Gateway integration is pointing to the Lambda function without specifying a version or alias.
Option B is correct because for gradual deployments to work with API GatewayHTTP API, the Lambda function must be integrated using the function's ARN with the version number (e.g., my-function:1), not the function name alone. If the integration uses the function name (without version), API Gateway always invokes the $LATEST version, bypassing the traffic shifting. Option A is incorrect because CodeDeploy is automatically used when DeploymentPreference is set in SAM. Option C is incorrect because the Lambda alias is created by SAM for traffic shifting; if the alias were not created, the deployment would fail. Option D is incorrect because the default version is $LATEST, but the issue is with how API Gateway invokes the function.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The developer did not create a Lambda alias for the function.
Why it's wrong here
SAM creates the alias automatically when DeploymentPreference is configured.
✓
The API Gateway integration is pointing to the Lambda function without specifying a version or alias.
Why this is correct
Without a version or alias, API Gateway uses $LATEST, ignoring traffic shifting.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The developer did not enable canary deployment in the API Gateway stage.
Why it's wrong here
SAM automatically configures API Gateway for canary deployments when DeploymentPreference is set.
✗
The Lambda function is using the default version, which cannot be used with gradual deployments.
Why it's wrong here
The default version is $LATEST, but gradual deployments require an alias; SAM creates one.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DVA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The API Gateway integration is pointing to the Lambda function without specifying a version or alias. — Option B is correct because for gradual deployments to work with API Gateway HTTP API, the Lambda function must be integrated using the function's ARN with the version number (e.g., my-function:1), not the function name alone. If the integration uses the function name (without version), API Gateway always invokes the $LATEST version, bypassing the traffic shifting. Option A is incorrect because CodeDeploy is automatically used when DeploymentPreference is set in SAM. Option C is incorrect because the Lambda alias is created by SAM for traffic shifting; if the alias were not created, the deployment would fail. Option D is incorrect because the default version is $LATEST, but the issue is with how API Gateway invokes the function.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DVA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "immediately / without restart". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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