- A
Use a 'DeletionPolicy' attribute set to 'Delete' for the RDS instance.
Why wrong: DeletionPolicy Delete only deletes the resource when the stack is deleted or the resource is removed; it does not affect updates.
- B
Use a 'DeletionPolicy' attribute set to 'Snapshot' for the RDS instance.
Why wrong: DeletionPolicy Snapshot creates a snapshot before deletion but does not create a new instance first, so it does not minimize downtime during replacement.
- C
Use an 'UpdatePolicy' attribute with 'UseOnlineResharding' set to true.
Why wrong: UseOnlineResharding is an UpdatePolicy for ElastiCache, not applicable to RDS.
- D
Use an 'UpdatePolicy' attribute with 'AutoScalingReplacingUpdate' set to true.
AutoScalingReplacingUpdate is designed for Auto Scaling groups and cannot be used for RDS instances to achieve create-before-destroy replacement.
CloudFormation RDS Update Policy for Zero Downtime
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. A key principle to apply: cloudFormation UpdatePolicy. 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 company uses AWS CloudFormation to deploy infrastructure. The development team wants to update a stack that includes an Amazon RDS database. The update requires changing the DB instance class, which will cause a brief downtime. The team wants to minimize downtime by creating a new database instance before deleting the old one. Which CloudFormation stack update policy should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 an 'UpdatePolicy' attribute with 'AutoScalingReplacingUpdate' set to true.
None of the provided CloudFormation policies achieve a create-before-destroy replacement for RDS instances. AutoScalingReplacingUpdate is specific to Auto Scaling groups and does not apply to RDS. DeletionPolicy governs deletion behavior, not update replacement. UseOnlineResharding is for ElastiCache. To minimize downtime when changing RDS instance class, you should use a blue/green deployment or modify the instance with Multi-AZ and a maintenance window, but these are not implemented via a simple UpdatePolicy in CloudFormation.
Key principle: CloudFormation UpdatePolicy
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 a 'DeletionPolicy' attribute set to 'Delete' for the RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
DeletionPolicy Delete only deletes the resource when the stack is deleted or the resource is removed; it does not affect updates.
- ✗
Use a 'DeletionPolicy' attribute set to 'Snapshot' for the RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
DeletionPolicy Snapshot creates a snapshot before deletion but does not create a new instance first, so it does not minimize downtime during replacement.
- ✗
Use an 'UpdatePolicy' attribute with 'UseOnlineResharding' set to true.
Why it's wrong here
UseOnlineResharding is an UpdatePolicy for ElastiCache, not applicable to RDS.
- ✓
Use an 'UpdatePolicy' attribute with 'AutoScalingReplacingUpdate' set to true.
Why this is correct
AutoScalingReplacingUpdate is designed for Auto Scaling groups and cannot be used for RDS instances to achieve create-before-destroy replacement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CloudFormation UpdatePolicy
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often assume AutoScalingReplacingUpdate works for any resource, but it is only for Auto Scaling groups. For RDS replacements, you must use alternative strategies like blue/green deployments.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, 'AutoScalingReplacingUpdate' works by setting the 'WillReplace' property to 'true' on the resource, causing CloudFormation to create a replacement resource with a new physical ID, update dependent resources (like DNS or security groups) to point to the new resource, and then delete the old resource. This is distinct from a simple 'Update' which modifies the resource in-place and can cause downtime. In real-world scenarios, this policy is critical for stateful resources like RDS where in-place modifications (e.g., changing DB instance class) require a reboot, but a replacement can be done with minimal impact by using a read replica or DNS cutover.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CloudFormation UpdatePolicy
- Blue/Green Deployment
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
CloudFormation UpdatePolicy
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. CloudFormation UpdatePolicy 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.
Review cloudFormation UpdatePolicy, then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Deployment — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Deployment practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DVA-C02 questions
1,616 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DVA-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DVA-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Development with AWS Services practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Development with AWS Services.
Security practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Security.
Deployment practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Deployment.
Troubleshooting and Optimization practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Troubleshooting and Optimization.
DVA-C02 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 fundamentals.
DVA-C02 scenario practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 scenario.
DVA-C02 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DVA-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — CloudFormation UpdatePolicy.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an 'UpdatePolicy' attribute with 'AutoScalingReplacingUpdate' set to true. — None of the provided CloudFormation policies achieve a create-before-destroy replacement for RDS instances. AutoScalingReplacingUpdate is specific to Auto Scaling groups and does not apply to RDS. DeletionPolicy governs deletion behavior, not update replacement. UseOnlineResharding is for ElastiCache. To minimize downtime when changing RDS instance class, you should use a blue/green deployment or modify the instance with Multi-AZ and a maintenance window, but these are not implemented via a simple UpdatePolicy in CloudFormation.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review cloudFormation UpdatePolicy, then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CloudFormation UpdatePolicy
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More DVA-C02 practice questions
- A developer is troubleshooting an AWS Lambda function that is triggered by an S3 event. The function occasionally fails…
- A developer needs to call AWS APIs from application code running on EC2. Which credential source should the AWS SDK use…
- A developer needs to allow an IAM user in a different AWS account to assume a role in the developer's account. The role…
- A developer needs to grant an IAM role in Account B read-only access to objects in an S3 bucket in Account A. The bucket…
- An API Gateway HTTP API should allow access only to users authenticated by an external OIDC provider. Which authorizer t…
- A developer needs to allow an EC2 instance to read from a DynamoDB table. Which is the best practice to grant permission…
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.