This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM). The developer wants to set environment variables for the Lambda function that are specific to the deployment stage (e.g., dev, prod). How should the developer accomplish this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use SAM parameters to pass stage-specific values into the template.
Option C is correct because SAM supports defining parameters with default values and then using them in the template. The developer can use the 'Parameters' section and pass different values for each stage. Option A is wrong because environment variables are not automatically injected by stage. Option B is wrong because hardcoding is not flexible. Option D is wrong because 'Conditions' are for resource creation, not variable values.
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.
✓
Use SAM parameters to pass stage-specific values into the template.
Why this is correct
Parameters allow passing different values for different stages.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Define the environment variables in the Lambda function configuration and use 'Ref' with the stage name.
Why it's wrong here
There is no built-in 'Ref' for stage name.
✗
Hardcode the environment variables in the SAM template for each stage.
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding reduces reusability and increases error risk.
✗
Use AWS CloudFormation 'Conditions' to set environment variables based on the stage.
Why it's wrong here
Conditions control resource creation, not variable assignment.
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: Use SAM parameters to pass stage-specific values into the template. — Option C is correct because SAM supports defining parameters with default values and then using them in the template. The developer can use the 'Parameters' section and pass different values for each stage. Option A is wrong because environment variables are not automatically injected by stage. Option B is wrong because hardcoding is not flexible. Option D is wrong because 'Conditions' are for resource creation, not variable values.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This DVA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DVA-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
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