The answer is to add a cache section with paths including /root/.m2 and location set to the S3 bucket ARN. This is correct because CodeBuild’s cache feature stores specified directory contents in an S3 bucket after a successful build, then restores them before the next build’s install phase, eliminating the need to re-download Maven dependencies from external repositories and preventing network timeout failures. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of buildspec.yaml structure and the distinction between caching dependencies and storing build artifacts—a common trap is confusing the artifacts section with caching, but artifacts handle output files, not reusable dependency directories. Remember that caching uses the cache key with paths for local directories and location for the S3 bucket, while artifacts use base-directory and files. A useful memory tip: cache keeps your build’s “supplies” (dependencies) local, artifacts ship the “product” (output) to S3.
DVA-C02 Deployment Practice Question
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 using AWS CodeBuild to build and test a Java application. The buildspec.yaml file includes phases for install, pre_build, build, and post_build. The developer notices that the build fails intermittently due to network timeouts when downloading dependencies from an external repository. The developer wants to improve the reliability of the build by caching the dependencies. The build environment is Linux and the dependencies are stored in the /root/.m2 directory (Maven cache). The developer has an S3 bucket for caching. What should the developer add to the buildspec.yaml to enable caching?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a 'cache' section with 'paths' including '/root/.m2' and 'location' set to the S3 bucket ARN.
Option A is correct because adding a 'cache' section with 'paths' pointing to /root/.m2 and 'location' pointing to the S3 bucket will cache the Maven dependencies. Option B is incorrect because the 'artifacts' section is for output artifacts, not caching. Option C is incorrect because the 'env' section is for environment variables. Option D is incorrect because the 'phases' section defines build commands, not caching.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Add a 'phases' section with install commands to manually copy dependencies to S3.
Why it's wrong here
Manual copying is error-prone and not the recommended approach.
✗
Add an 'artifacts' section with 'files' including '/root/.m2/**/*' and 'location' set to the S3 bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Artifacts are for output files, not caching intermediate dependencies.
✓
Add a 'cache' section with 'paths' including '/root/.m2' and 'location' set to the S3 bucket ARN.
Why this is correct
The cache section in buildspec enables caching of specified paths to an S3 bucket.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Add an 'env' section with 'parameter-store' variables to store the dependency paths.
Why it's wrong here
Environment variables do not provide caching.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Artifacts are for output files, not caching intermediate dependencies.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DVA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a 'cache' section with 'paths' including '/root/.m2' and 'location' set to the S3 bucket ARN. — Option A is correct because adding a 'cache' section with 'paths' pointing to /root/.m2 and 'location' pointing to the S3 bucket will cache the Maven dependencies. Option B is incorrect because the 'artifacts' section is for output artifacts, not caching. Option C is incorrect because the 'env' section is for environment variables. Option D is incorrect because the 'phases' section defines build commands, not caching.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DVA-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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