- A
The build is timing out before dependencies are fully downloaded.
Why wrong: Timeout would stop the build, but the error is a compilation error, not a timeout.
- B
The CodeBuild compute type does not have enough memory to compile the project.
Why wrong: Insufficient memory would cause out-of-memory errors, not a missing symbol.
- C
The dependency cache is not enabled in CodeBuild, so dependencies are not available.
Without caching, CodeBuild downloads dependencies each time, but if the repository is unreachable or the dependency is not in the repository, it will be missing.
- D
The buildspec file has incorrect syntax causing the build to skip dependency resolution.
Why wrong: Incorrect syntax would likely cause a build failure earlier, not a specific missing symbol error.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the dependency cache is not enabled in CodeBuild, which causes the build to fail with a 'Cannot find symbol' error. When you build locally, tools like Maven or Gradle store downloaded dependencies in a local cache, making them available for subsequent builds. CodeBuild, however, does not retain these dependencies between builds unless you explicitly configure a cache, so each build starts from scratch and must re-download every dependency. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of CodeBuild’s caching behavior and how it differs from a local development environment. A common trap is assuming that a successful local build guarantees the same result in CodeBuild, but the missing cache is the key differentiator. Remember: if it works locally but fails in CodeBuild with a dependency error, think "cache not configured." Memory tip: "Local has cache, CodeBuild needs a stash."
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. 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 a Java application. The build succeeds locally but fails on CodeBuild with a 'Cannot find symbol' error for a class that is in a dependency JAR. What is the MOST likely cause?
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.
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
The dependency cache is not enabled in CodeBuild, so dependencies are not available.
Option C is correct because CodeBuild by default does not include cached dependencies; each build downloads dependencies from scratch unless a cache is configured. The local build works because Maven/Gradle caches dependencies locally. Option A (buildspec syntax) would cause a different error. Option B (build timeout) would cause a timeout, not a compilation error. Option D (insufficient compute) would cause performance issues but not a missing symbol.
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 build is timing out before dependencies are fully downloaded.
Why it's wrong here
Timeout would stop the build, but the error is a compilation error, not a timeout.
- ✗
The CodeBuild compute type does not have enough memory to compile the project.
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient memory would cause out-of-memory errors, not a missing symbol.
- ✓
The dependency cache is not enabled in CodeBuild, so dependencies are not available.
Why this is correct
Without caching, CodeBuild downloads dependencies each time, but if the repository is unreachable or the dependency is not in the repository, it will be missing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The buildspec file has incorrect syntax causing the build to skip dependency resolution.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect syntax would likely cause a build failure earlier, not a specific missing symbol error.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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.
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Troubleshooting and Optimization — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The dependency cache is not enabled in CodeBuild, so dependencies are not available. — Option C is correct because CodeBuild by default does not include cached dependencies; each build downloads dependencies from scratch unless a cache is configured. The local build works because Maven/Gradle caches dependencies locally. Option A (buildspec syntax) would cause a different error. Option B (build timeout) would cause a timeout, not a compilation error. Option D (insufficient compute) would cause performance issues but not a missing symbol.
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". 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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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