- A
Use DynamoDB Streams to capture expired items and trigger a Lambda function for deletion.
Why wrong: DynamoDB Streams capture item-level changes but do not automatically delete items. You would need additional Lambda logic to delete expired items, which is more complex and less efficient than using TTL.
- B
Use DynamoDB Time to Live (TTL) to set an expiry time attribute that DynamoDB automatically deletes when the TTL is reached.
DynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items after the specified expiry timestamp without any additional cost or custom code. This is the best option for automatic expiration of session data.
- C
Use DynamoDB Global Tables to replicate data to another region and then set a TTL on the replica.
Why wrong: Global Tables are for multi-region replication, not for automatic deletion. While TTL can be set on replicas, the primary purpose is replication, and using Global Tables solely for expiration is overengineered and costly.
- D
Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache the data and expire it based on a cache TTL.
Why wrong: DAX is an in-memory cache that can have a TTL for cache entries, but it does not delete items from the underlying DynamoDB table. The items would still exist in DynamoDB indefinitely.
DVA-C02 Development with AWS Services Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. 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. A key principle to apply: dynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute.. 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 building a serverless application using AWS Lambda and Amazon DynamoDB. The application needs to store and retrieve session data. The session data has a TTL of 30 minutes. Which DynamoDB feature should the developer use to automatically delete expired items?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use DynamoDB Time to Live (TTL) to set an expiry time attribute that DynamoDB automatically deletes when the TTL is reached.
DynamoDB Time to Live (TTL) is the correct feature because it allows you to define a per-item timestamp attribute. When that timestamp is reached, DynamoDB automatically deletes the item without any additional cost or custom code. This directly meets the requirement to automatically delete expired session data after 30 minutes.
Key principle: DynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute.
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 DynamoDB Streams to capture expired items and trigger a Lambda function for deletion.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB Streams capture item-level changes but do not automatically delete items. You would need additional Lambda logic to delete expired items, which is more complex and less efficient than using TTL.
- ✓
Use DynamoDB Time to Live (TTL) to set an expiry time attribute that DynamoDB automatically deletes when the TTL is reached.
Why this is correct
DynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items after the specified expiry timestamp without any additional cost or custom code. This is the best option for automatic expiration of session data.
Related concept
DynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute.
- ✗
Use DynamoDB Global Tables to replicate data to another region and then set a TTL on the replica.
Why it's wrong here
Global Tables are for multi-region replication, not for automatic deletion. While TTL can be set on replicas, the primary purpose is replication, and using Global Tables solely for expiration is overengineered and costly.
- ✗
Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache the data and expire it based on a cache TTL.
Why it's wrong here
DAX is an in-memory cache that can have a TTL for cache entries, but it does not delete items from the underlying DynamoDB table. The items would still exist in DynamoDB indefinitely.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think DynamoDB Streams can be used to detect expired items, but TTL deletions do not generate stream events, so a custom deletion mechanism would require a separate scan or query, which is inefficient and not automatic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB TTL works by checking the attribute specified as the TTL field (typically a Unix epoch timestamp in seconds). When the current time exceeds that value, DynamoDB marks the item for deletion, which typically occurs within 48 hours but often much sooner (within minutes for most workloads). The deletion is background and does not consume write capacity units, making it cost-effective for session management.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute.
- The TTL attribute value must be a Unix epoch time in seconds.
- TTL deletions are eventually consistent and incur no additional cost.
- TTL is ideal for managing data with a defined lifespan, like session data or logs.
TExam Day Tips
- 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
DynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review dynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute., then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Development with AWS Services — This question tests Development with AWS Services — DynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use DynamoDB Time to Live (TTL) to set an expiry time attribute that DynamoDB automatically deletes when the TTL is reached. — DynamoDB Time to Live (TTL) is the correct feature because it allows you to define a per-item timestamp attribute. When that timestamp is reached, DynamoDB automatically deletes the item without any additional cost or custom code. This directly meets the requirement to automatically delete expired session data after 30 minutes.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review dynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute., then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
DynamoDB TTL automatically deletes items based on a timestamp attribute.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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